The word "philosophy" literally means "the love of knowledge." However, the modern usage of the word often eliminates the element of knowledge.Rather, "philosophy" has come to mean "a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs." It would seem this definition would imply a require- ment of knowledge for such a system, but that is not the case. So many of the philosophies of man
are based upon nothing more than opinion and theory, even theories which have been proven false (1 Tim. 6:20~21).
Some years ago, the seeds of certain philosophies of man were sown throughout our nation and the world. Now our nation is bearing the fruit of these philosophies. The damage which these have done is immeasurable, and Christians must fight to stop them from doing further damage.
One such philosophy is humanism, which teaches that all things can be explained and understood by human wisdom. This philosophy puts man as the supreme being and authority of the earth.Another of man's philosophies is modernism, which teaches that all things should be interpreted in light of modern theories and concepts of man.
Central to both of these philosophies is the theory of evolution, which eliminates God from the explanation of the world's existence. Therein lies the core of the world's problems - the attempted removal of God and His word from mankind.
Such thinking has led to the loss of an accepted standard other than a person's own will and opinion. Without the word of God as the constant judge of all affairs, each man is left to decide for himself what is right. Situation ethics are the rule by which all things can be considered morally right or wrong according to the situation. Thus, the result of this and the fruit of man's knowledge fornication, homosexuality, abortion, drug abuse, Iying, euthanasia, adultery, murder, stealing, crime, etc. This is the so-called "new morality" that has emerged from the wisdom of man.
However, within this dark and gloomy picture of the world around us, the wisdom of God still bears good fruit for those who are in Christ. James wrote, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:17-18).
God in His wisdom also provided us with warnings about the wisdom of men. Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Col. 2:8). It is Christ who has set us free from sin, and we are warned not to allow ourselves to be captured again by smooth, influential words of deceitful men who would pull us away from Him. "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Cor. 1 :30).
The wisdom of God has told us the source of our nation's problems: "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people." (prov. 14:34). While our politicians point to the economy as the source of all problems, let us recognize that the strength of a nation is not its wealth or military might, but its righteousness according to the wisdom of God. When man in his "wisdom" forgets God, he has become a fool.
