First Corinthians chapter 12 contains words that summarize the nature of the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some of those gifts are common gifts and others are relatively rare. Now there are various sciences that coalesce with each other and cannot easily be understood in isolation from one another. The Bible warns, Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy. However, I am writing this to inform others that philosophy is not a bad thing in essence. Philosophy is like money. It is a good thing that can be misused. Philosophy is a combination of two Greek words : philo (love) and sophia (wisdom). Etymologically it means Love Of Wisdom. It is a shame that Colossians 2:8 is misunderstood and used with prejudice by complacent Christians who think that philosophy is something that conveniently deserves to be criticized rather than eulogized. Their own zealous use of theology and apologetics are manifest evidence of their ambivalent mindset. Theology, philosophy and apologetics are 3 inseparable contents of an intellectual melting pot. They are examples of sciences that coalesce and cannot be understood in isolation from one another as long as we accept their definitions explained in English dictionaries.
There are bad ideologies circulating and the followers of them may often refer to their ideas as their philosophy.
I guess It is that combined with the warning at Colossians 2:8 that have discredited philosophy giving it a bad name. It is a misused word. Aristotle was the first person to be called a philosopher, and the Bible and other ancient documents contain various terms that function as synonyms for philosopher : terms such as Man Of Understanding, Prudent Man and Sage.
The Book of Proverbs contains many verses that eulogize wisdom. 3:15 says She is more precious than rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. The words philosophy and philosophers are only written once in the KJV (at Colossians 2 and Acts 17). The word wisdom is more abundant. Paradox is not written anywhere in the KJV but it is relevant to this topic. Paradox is a word that describes a person or thing has contradicting features. Among ancient documents the book called The Wisdom of Solomon explains many unique interesting things about the nature and effects of wisdom, things which are irrefutable.
The Bible says, A man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels : To understand a proverb and the interpretation, the words of the wise and their dark sayings (Proverbs 1:5-6). The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs says, Time passes away but sayings remain. A good maxim is never out of season. Maxims are the condensed good sense of nations. The genius, wit and spirit of a nation are discovered in its proverbs. Jesus said, Wisdom is justified of her children (Matthew 11:19).
For more information on this topic read my other sermon called Truth Is Known By Its Links With Other Truths.
George Warner
