Philosophy versus Truth

Contained within the Greek language are differing words for knowledge and love. The word for Philosophy comes from two Greek words (φίλος- philos) and (σοφία-sophia). Philos is one of three main Greek words for Love; agape, philos, and eros. Each speak to a realm or a sphere of love. Eros is a love which proceeds from the flesh and in turn loves fleshly things. Philo is a love which originates from the soul; it speaks of friendship and affection and when combined with (σοφία-sophia) we end up with the word philosophy: man’s love for wisdom and knowledge. (In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil over the tree of life). Agape is a love which is of the Spirit, it is a pure love for it is God’s Love. It is a love that proceeds from Him, given and offered to all to love God with every fiber of their beings.

“…because they received not the love (agape) of the truth,
that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie”
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11

Those who are His have received a love (agape) of the truth; they can no longer abide or be content with mere information and teachings. To them who are called, Truth is a Life; it is nothing less than Jesus Himself. It is no longer something to hold in the intellect but something that must be known experientially within the regions of their own heart. In the reception of this Love of Him, men and women are captured by the beauty, the wisdom and the Glory of God of which Jesus is the “express image” (Hebrews 1:3) and in whom the “fullness of the Godhead dwells”. It is in Him we behold the sum and the substance of the Father. It is in Him that all the mystery of God Himself is hidden and it is in coming to know Him that we are changed from one glory into another! How can we be satisfied with anything other than Christ living, dwelling and reigning within our hearts? Why meddle in the vain philosophy of religion as the Scribes and the Pharisees of old who, knowing the word in the intellect could not see Him in the Spirit? They could not see Him nor hear Him in the Words of Life that He spoke. When men and women do not passionately desire to see Him in the midst of our gatherings, in the secret places of our hearts, and to see the fulness of Him in our brothers and sisters, then know that philosophy has replaced the agape of the truth.

Truth must be revealed in the power of God to live righteously in Christ. Religion and philosophy are expressed in the mere appearance of a thing rather than the substance of a thing. The two are not compatible and it is to such Paul speaks in his admonition to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:5). The Day of separation is upon us, and may the Lord quicken our hearts to seek out in Him the power and the glory to walk “worthy” of Him in this hour (1 Thessalonians 2:12).

“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.
For in him dwelleth
all the fulness of the Godhead bodily”
Colossians 2:8-9

Brian Troxel
www.aword.info