BECOMING A CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER
Practical Principles for Living or Detached Musings?
INTRODUCTION
A. In 1972 I took Introduction to Philosophy at Shawnee College, Ullin, Illinois under an old professor named Dr. Pepper, who looked like Colonel Sanders.
1. I learned that the word philosophy comes from two Greeks words, philos (love) and sophos (wisdom).
2. I also learned that some of the outlandish ideas about truth and knowledge, right and wrong, good and evil, which many of us believe to be modern are as old—and in some cases—older than the Bible.
3. In all of my learning, I don’t believe that I learned a single, practical principle by which to live. Of course, Dr. Pepper would tell me that I wasn’t supposed to learn anything practical.
B. James calls us to learning and doing, not every-learning and never-doing philosophers:
1. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (Jam 1:5)
2. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (Jam 1:22-25).
I. THE CALL TO WISDOM
A. James would be steeped in the Wisdom Literature of the O.T. [A where-the-rubber-meets-the-road kind of wisdom (Prov 1:7-9, 20-21).]
B. James’ own description of wisdom points to the practical (Jam 3:13-18).
C. The wisdom of which James speaks might be called life skills—not those for making a living, but those for making a life (Rom 16:19; Eph 5:15).
II. HOW WE ACQUIRE LIFE SKILLS
A. In the experiences of life (Prov 20:29; 16:31; Jam 1:1-4)
B. In the acquisition of knowledge (Eccl 12:11-12; 2 Tim 3:15).
C. By asking God for wisdom (Jam 1:5-8).
III. ASKING AND RECEIVING
A. For whatever reason some never receive the biblical skills for life because they do not ask for them.
B. Some people don’t ask because they trust their own knowledge and experience—they have an I-can-do-it-for-myself attitude.
C. Some people don’t ask because they think God has a you-ought-to-be- able-to-do-that-for-yourself attitude.
D. Some ask, but not in faith (Jam 1:6-8).
IV. BECOMING A CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER
A. Knowledge, including biblical knowledge, is not the same as having the skill or the will to apply that knowledge to our lives.
B. At the same time, asking God for wisdom while ignoring his word is like asking him for food, but refusing to plant (Jam 5:7).
C. Christian philosophers are not just thinkers, they are doers (Jam 1:22).
CONCLUSION
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”(Prov 4:5-9, NLT).
