Livin' the Dead Life

Paul urged the Colossians, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ" (Col 2:8). Luckily for us, we know better today, right?

No, of course not. As a matter of fact we know that human traditions and standards are the best ones. We will measure right and wrong, good and bad, profitable or not, improved or not, what we should do and what we shouldn't do -- all of our standards, it seems -- on the philosophies of our world. After all, you don't want to be on "the wrong side of history." On so many things.

Is it okay for women to be in charge of churches? Well, of course it is. Why would anyone ask that? Women are of equal value and they are called to be pastors and they can do a better job than some men who try to be pastors and ... lots of reasons why it's a foolish question. Except that it's all built on human philosophy -- built on human "religion" (self) -- and without regard to Christ and His Word.

How do we -- even many Christians -- determine if homosexual behavior is wrong? Well, do you know a homosexual? Then it's okay. Do they want to do it? Then it's okay. Is it consensual sex? Then it's okay. Do they love each other? Then it's okay. Lots of reasons, all of which are from human philosophy and "the elemental spirits of the world" -- satisfying sensual demands -- and not Christ and His Word.

How should we conduct worship in the church? The current model takes a marketing approach. What do people like? What will draw them into our church? What makes them feel good? It is nothing but human tradition, human philosophy, "the elemental spirits of the world." And we -- Christians -- blithely tie ourselves to them to figure out how we will worship God.

So we disregard Paul's warning about being captivated by the world's perspective and consider those who are leaning on God's Word to be nutcases, evil "fundamentalists." We figure out that the Church has been wrong for 2,000 years on all sorts of things and the Bible is not as reliable as we once thought it was and there are a lot of corrections and improvements we can do on our church life, home life, and doctrines. Forgetting that Paul calls it "captivity." Forgetting that Christians are to be operating according to Christ. Forgetting that we have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world (Col 2:20). We end up puffed up without reason by the sensuous mind, not holding fast to the Head (Col 2:18-19). We end up deluded by plausible arguments (Col 2:4).

If your value system and your belief system is driven primarily by your own perceptions and the values you find in the world, and you call yourself a Christian, perhaps you need to reevaluate.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:1-3)