Colossians 2:8 Does this verse mean Christians should not study philosophy?

Question

Paul warned " Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit " KJV

Jehovah's Witnesses cite this verse in warning against the study of philosophy. ( Reaoning from the Scritpures1989,291 )

Edit: NKJV

Answer 1

Paul is not opposed to the careful reasoning of philosophy but to false reasoning used to deceive.

Answer 2

Through philosophy - The Greek philosophy prevailed much in the regions around Colossae, and perhaps also the oriental or Gnostic philosophy. They were exposed to the influences of these plausible systems. They consisted much of speculations respecting the nature of the divine existence; and the danger of the Colossians was, that they would rely rather on the deductions of that specious reasoning, than on what they had been taught by their Christian teachers.

Answer 3

Colossians chapter 2 further clarifies and pinpoints several specific things that may be of interest to the student that is having difficulty understanding the ""heresy"" of the WT. Here in verse 18:

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Here "beguile" is used rather than deceit. Beguile is seduction of the mind and/or body. Beguile is used of the Adversary "beguiling" Eve . Paul is stating not to be seduced by the lies of the false philosophy such as the false christs (anointed) or their heirs that began and continue their false traditions in the WT.

This specifically verse (18) states not to worship angels YET Paul teaches that it is in Jesus that God's divinity (Godhead) is expressed in the flesh.

Again another letter that explains Jesus was the only begotten Son of God and through him all things were made. (John 1:1, Genesis 1: 1-2)

Answer 4

It says "beware" not "run away"! Philosophy can be an effective tool for deception...it can also be an effective tool for developing critical thinking and other skills that enhance a biblical worldview.

For example, in my graduate school days, I became fascinated with the objectivist philosophy (Ayn Rand)...I read nearly everything she wrote (fiction and non-fiction) and I believe this knowledge enhanced my understanding of many biblical concepts. However, had I been introduced to Ayn Rand before I had the opportunity to develop a reasonable foundation for my belief in God, I could have easily been deceived into accepting her views about him (she was an atheist).

For those whose faith is largely based on acceptance of arguments made by other people...and especially those who accept the premise that you should believe everything you are taught ("don't question God") are vulnerable to the deceptive influence of the great thinkers (philosophers). I'm not surprised given what I understand about the doctrine of the Jehovah's Witnesses that they would view philosophy as a threat to their members...and they aren't alone. I heard this warning in other churches in my youth...and, in my experience, the warning has some level of validity for certain people! For some, the study of philosophy can destroy their faith in God...for others, like myself (and my father...a pastor...and my current pastor...and others I know) it enhances our faith!

Answer 5

Read the whole verse to get the full effect.
"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." (Col 2:8)

It just means don't be led away from the truth with the lure of worldly knowledge.

Answer 6

It is simply a WARNING AGAINST people who would turn people from the true faith. The COLOSSIAN FALSE TEACHERS were trying to turn true believers AWAY FROM the food laws of Yahweh, the New Moon observance, the True Sabbath and etc. which he mentions in 16.

These passage ALSO deal with similar problems. Act_17:18, Act_17:32; Rom_1:21, Rom_1:22; 1Co_1:19-23, 1Co_3:18, 1Co_3:19, 1Co_15:35, 1Co_15:36; 2Co_10:5 *Gr: 1Ti_6:20; 2Ti_2:17, 2Ti_2:18, 2Ti_3:13

Answer 7

No you can study philosophy. What this verse means is that we are not to be deceived through the vain philosophy or wisdom of men as opposed to the wisdom of God as revealed in his word the Bible. To me its like an atheist telling me there is no God because he doesn't believe there is one. The truth never depends on who believes it. It is truth regardless of who believes it. Therefore God, being the author of all truth, should not be replaced by the vain philosophy or teachings of men as spoken in Colossions 2:8 , but we should follow Christ.

Answer 8

No.

As the questioner herself notes, true Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) understand this verse as a "warning".

(Colossians 2:8) Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ

Answer 9

but what kind of philosophy does the bible refer?

Col. 2:8: “Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ.” (What a sad mistake it would be to choose such deceptive human philosophy in preference to acquiring true wisdom as a disciple of Jesus Christ, the second-greatest person in the universe, next to God himself!)

1 Cor. 1:19-25: “It is written: ‘I will make the wisdom of the wise men perish, and the intelligence of the intellectual men I will shove aside.’ Where is the wise man? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this system of things? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not get to know God, God saw good through the foolishness [as it appears to the world] of what is preached to save those believing. . . . Because a foolish thing of God [as the world views it] is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God [as the world may see it] is stronger than men.” (Such a viewpoint on God’s part is certainly not arbitrary or unreasonable. He has provided in the Bible, the most widely circulated book in the world, a clear statement of his purpose. He has sent his witnesses to discuss it with all who will listen. How foolish for any creature to think that he has wisdom greater than that of God

Why don´t you put the whole information ?

Answer 10

Jesus Christ is shown to be “the firstborn of all advent” as nicely as “the firstborn from the lifeless”—no longer in user-friendly terms maximum well-liked on the placement of those created or those resurrected however the 1st one rather created and the 1st raised from the lifeless to countless existence. (Col a million:15, 18; Re a million:5; 3:14) in the international he became the firstborn infant of Mary and became offered on the temple in accordance with Jehovah’s regulation. (Lu 2:7, 22, 23) The apostle Paul speaks of the followers of Jesus Christ who've been enrolled in the heavens as “the congregation of the firstborn,” the 1st ones everyday by utilising God as sons on the muse of their faith in Jesus’ sacrifice and the 1st of Christ’s followers to be resurrected without might desire to die lower back.—Heb 12:23.