Colosse was a city in the ancient province of Phrygia, close to the city of Laodicea. We know that along with the letter to the Colossians, Paul also wrote a letter to the Laodiceans that did not survive. It seems from Colossians
2:1 that Paul did not actually visit the Colossians, but that Epaphras was possibly the one who conveyed to him the condition of the Colossian church (Col 1:7, 8). Paul gives several warnings in this passage, but in this article, we will focus on two.

       The first warning is found in 
Colossians 2:4 : And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.            The word beguile means “to deceive by subtle reasoning.” Enticing words means “persuasive language.” One of the things we can count on is that the deception we face will always come to us in subtle ways. It will seldom be blatantly false, but rather with persuasive language, even under the guise of wisdom and humility. Many Scriptures bear this out. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (Rom 16:17, 18). For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ (II Co 11:13). That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph 4:14). Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (Eph 5:6).

       The second warning is found in 
Colossians 2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

To spoil you means to “carry away as the spoils of war.” It carries the thought of someone robbing you of what is yours. The “philosophy” that Paul is speaking of here was a mixture of Greek, Jewish, and Oriental religions and was promoted as a “higher thought” of philosophy. Many of these philosophies insisted on a strict observance of Jewish requirements, even to the point of asceticism.

       What is the philosophy and vain deceit (empty delusions) that we are to beware of? I believe that the greatest threat that we face today is the threat of humanistic philosophy. It has always been one of mankind's greatest threats because its tentacles reach into every part of life. We can be caught up in this humanistic philosophy without even realizing it because it is often mixed with some truth. And so, what are the pillars of humanistic thought?

       (1) We think for ourselves as individuals. There are no areas that we are afraid to explore, challenge, question, and doubt. We ask questions, then feel free to agree or disagree with any given claim. We are unwilling to adopt any set of values that doesn't convince us personally. I quote- “We seek to take responsibility for our decisions and conclusions, and this necessitates having control over them.” We believe that the only way to acquire new knowledge and new ways of looking at ourselves is to think for ourselves as individuals. 

       (2) Reason is the ultimate guide for making decisions in life. Being able to reason things through is crucial for making life decisions. You cannot realize human goals when you abandon reason. Any belief is possible when driven by arbitrary faith, authority, or religious experience. And so, in matters of belief, reason, when applied to the evidence of our senses and accumulated knowledge, is the most reliable guide to understanding our world and making choices.

       (3) Our understanding of the world is based on what we can perceive with the senses and comprehend with the mind. If it does not make sense to a person, then it isn’t true. Knowledge that comes from a higher power, or knowledge that we cannot comprehend, is no basis upon which to make decisions, because we cannot relate concretely to it. Accepting knowledge that comes from a higher power is to arbitrarily take a leap of faith and abandon reason and the senses. There is no way that any religious claim can be tested to be valid. Neither can you test nor comprehend what is incomprehensible. The only thing that can be called knowledge is that which is firmly grounded in the realm of human understanding and verification.

       (4) While humanists are very strict on what constitutes knowledge, they are not critical of the source of ideas. Intuitive feelings, hunches, speculation, and flashes of inspiration are all valid sources of novel ideas, new ways of looking at things, and new concepts. A humanist will not necessarily condemn ideas derived from religious experience, but will simply say that those ideas cannot be tested against reality. And testing against reality is the only way to determine if an idea is valid or not.

       (5) They recognize that the tools for testing knowledge, human senses, and human reason are fallible. Thus, they realize that all conclusions regarding knowledge and science are constantly changing. Scientific, moral, and social conclusions are continually being revised and updated. “These conclusions are subject to continual revision in the light of both the fallible and tentative nature of our knowledge and constant shifts in social conditions.” A humanist would tell you that this is the only approach that deals honestly with the world.

       (6) Human values make sense only in the context of human life. Therefore, existence after death cannot be included as part of the environment in which our values must operate. Only the here and now physical world of our senses is relevant for our ethical concerns, goals, and aspirations. If we place our values in a merely hoped-for future, we might be willing to subject our real interests to the pursuit of imaginary ones. Quote- “We won't sacrifice the ethical good here unless it can be demonstrated that there is another life elsewhere that necessitates a shift in our attention, and that this other life bears some relation and commonality with this one.”

       (7) Ethical decisions and ideals are grounded in human need and concern as opposed to the needs and concerns of supposed deities or other transcendent entities or powers. The value of a choice is determined by how it affects human life. If higher powers are found to exist, we will still base our response on human need. The reason for this is that humans create all philosophies and religions, and as a result, they cannot avoid the bias of human perspective. Therefore, this human perspective limits us to human ways of comprehending the world. Ultimately, human drives and aspirations are the motivations behind all systems of belief.

       (8) And finally, the practice of human ethics is in a living context rather than an ideal one. Though ethics are ideals, ideals can only serve as guidelines in life situations. And because of that, they oppose absolute moral systems that rigidly apply ideal moral values. They would recognize that conflicts and moral dilemmas do occur, and that moral choices are difficult. And so, you must carefully consider the immediate and future consequences and weigh the alternatives.¹

       What is the common thread that runs through each of these pillars of humanistic thought? Is it not that man is the center of the universe? Human need and human desire are the basis for all decisions.

       Is this what God has in mind for His church?

       It is not unusual to hear, “God did away with the need to observe the Law, so we are free to do as we please.” We begin to justify whatever we want to do because there is freedom in Christ. Along with that, there is often an anti-authority, anti-Mennonite attitude that breaks down respect for the church. There is a constant questioning, pointing out faults and failures of  our culture. When there are issues that don't make sense to me, I can feel free to reject the conclusions that are reached through consensus of the church, because after all, it must make sense to me if I am going to accept it. One of the prevalent teachings today is that if I lack conviction for something, I shouldn't need to do it. 

       It is true that a life that is lived without conviction can very soon turn into a life of hypocrisy. But is hypocrisy the only outcome of obedience without understanding?  I believe this to be one of the empty delusions that Col 2:8 is speaking about. As I look back on my life, I have grown in my convictions, having done what I had to do, even when I didn't see the need at the time. Let us not think that everything done without personal conviction is of no value. When everyone in a church refuses to do anything unless they have a personal conviction for it, it soon becomes every man for himself. Those who refuse to allow themselves to be regulated by the church may very quickly become involved in things that are a direct violation of Scripture. The reason for this is that we have establishedourselves as the final authority, and we decide whether this particular standard is worthy of adherence.

       What is the basis for the church to have authority over us? Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time (1 Pe 5:5,6). Peter is writing about what Jesus demonstrated in His life here on earth. Even as God, He was subject to His parents. He was subject to the will of God in Gethsemane, even to the death of the cross. And if Jesus was willing to subject Himself, how much more should you and I be willing to submit ourselves to the authority over us.

       Peter gives clear direction on how we are to submit ourselves. The younger are to submit to the older. Those with some age have much more experience than those of us who are younger. It is easy to allow the world’s perspective to slip in among us that those who are older just do not understand young people. Peter says that everyone is to be subject to the others. There is a mutual love and respect for our fellow brothers and sisters, for the various positions and responsibilities in the church. We are to be clothed with humility. One of the great flaws of humanistic thinking is the lack of humility. In some ways, there does seem to be a sort of humility because they readily admit that they cannot be too sure of their conclusions. And yet, humanistic reasoning is lifted up as the ultimate.

       Humility means “humiliation of mind.” Throughout the Scriptures, we are commanded not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. And man, from the very beginning, has had a problem with that. Many Scriptures illustrate this humility of mind that we are to have. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews (Acts 20:19). With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Eph 4:2). Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Php 2:3). Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering (Col 3:12).

       What is the answer to these empty delusions that we are to beware of? As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Col 2:6,7). The way that we have received Jesus is by faith. We have received the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. And our walk of faith is a continuous action. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25). The great desire of all who live by faith in Christ is to make our practices conformable to Him. We are rooted in Christ. Just as the roots of a plant sink deep into the earth to find nourishment and moisture, our roots seek the nourishment that we find in Christ. The more closely we walk with Christ, the more we will be rooted and built up in Him. We will be established in the faith, firm and stable. We will have people who will recognize this humanistic philosophy for what it is. When we are rooted and built up in Him, then we will be established in the faith. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Col 3:1, 2).

Leetonia, OH

Edwords, Fred 2008.  The Humanist Philosophy in Perspective, The Humanist Association, accessed 2024, americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/humanist-philosophy-perspective/