THE CENTRALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD Philosophy gropes, revelation finds! Man is the chief resource in philosophy, God is the resource in revelation. Philosophy is characterized by neutrality – it does not carry with it logical demands. Revelation, on the other hand, is not neutral. It is the communication of a desirous God to needy man, and demands a response from man. To thrust the word of God from us is to "judge" ourselves "unworthy of everlasting life" (Acts 13:46). Tomorrow:
"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME." (Psa 138:2) ". . . for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!" (Amplified Bible)
Devotion 17 of 30
Philosophy is a part of, what Paul referred to as, "science falsely so called" (1 Tim 6:20), or "contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge" (NKJV). This is a wisdom that "descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish" (James 3:15). The idea of "philosophy," by definition, excludes technical precepts and practical arts (MERRIAM-WEBSTER) – that is, it is not a body of knowledge that is supported by facts, but is either a humanistic interpretation of facts, or the creation of pure imagination.
In the sense of Scripture, a philosopher is like a blind man groping in the night for wisdom. He is attempting to acquire foundational knowledge independently of the Fount of knowledge, and Him in whom are hidden "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3). He attempts to comprehend the universe without learning from the One who spoke it into existence, framing the worlds by His word (Heb 11:3). He makes an effort to discern man independently of the One who created Him, attempting to figure out the purpose of man, as well as his assets and liabilities. Charles Darwin speculated about the origin of species without consulting with the author of life, or giving any heed to the revealed origin of life – particularly human life. Sigmund Freud compiled a system of knowledge that supposes to account for human motivation, and the manner in which man thinks. He also ignored what God has revealed about man's intellectual and emotional makeup, and neglected the fact of the eroding and corrupting influences of sin. Neither Darwin nor Freud dealt satisfactorily with the purpose of life, for they did not have any cogent or stable thought on the matter.
It is wrong to develop a philosophy about something that has been revealed – particularly when it relates to matters of morality, causes, and effects. Today, within the professed church, there is an astounding amount of philosophizing – and that during the time of the greatest amount of revelation that is in Christ Jesus.
WORLD VIEWS
Every so often, the modern church increases its vocabulary, crystallizing some of its erroneous concepts. It does so in such a manner as to leave the people thinking the unique terms it uses are inspired, and are taught in the Scriptures. A few years ago, the expression "unconditional love" became a staple part of the modern Christian vocabulary. During recent times, the phrase "world view" has been vaulted into prominence. According to Wikipedia (the encyclopedia written by the people), this is the definition of the expression: "A comprehensive world view (or worldview) is a term calqued from the German_language word Weltanschauung. Welt is the German word for world,' and Anschauung is the German word for view' or outlook.' It is a concept fundamental to German philosophy and epistemology and refers to a wide world perception. Additionally, it refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts with it." Epistemology is "the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity" (MERRIAM-WEBSTER). Men who attempt to sanctify the expression "world view" are extending themselves into forbidden areas, and are unwise in doing so.
This really has nothing foundational to do with the manner in which those in Christ think. The primary quest of their knowledge is Christ Himself: i.e. "that I may know Him" (Phil 3:10). The possession of eternal life is the summation of all legitimate quests, and eternal life is knowing "the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom" He "has sent" (John 17:3). The objective of the believer is not to interact with the world, but to capitalize on the realities and personalities to which God has brought them: "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel" (Heb 12:22-24).
Actually, the sons of God are cutting loose from this world, and preparing to participate in the world to come, for in Jesus they are no longer "of the world" (John 15:19; 17:6). The world is not a worthy focus for the people of God. God has revealed that it has been scheduled for destruction (Psa 102:25-26; Isa 24:19-20; 51:6; Matt 5:18; 24:3; Mk 13:31; Heb 1:10-12; 2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev 20:11; 21:1). Any view of the world that does not take that appointment into account cannot possibly be valid. Anyone who takes the revealed appointment seriously will diminish any interaction with "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for the power of the truth, and the satisfaction it brings to both heart and mind.