“Empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ”

However impressive and well-articulated an argument may appear to be for life’s most important questions, its source and root may range from being questionable to highly dangerous.

This is described in The Holy Bible as “Empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ”. Colossians 2:8-10

The Bible’s core message differs from all others in this aspect: its focus is on Almighty God making himself known to humanity in a unique person: “Christ”, the Anointed, the Messiah, the one who has authority to rule and reign. When linked to his name “Jesus” (from Greek) or “Yeshua” (from Hebrew) his name brings the world-changing and life-transforming power of “Saviour”.

Here’s the context of the quotation above, part of a letter written to believers by one the first century greatest Jewish-Christian leaders, Paul:

“Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

So where are these “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense” to be found today?

A more apt question may be, “Where are they not found?”

They are embedded in religion, science, politics, ideology; in governments and media; music, popular culture and much public discourse.

The only way (according to Paul) to weigh up their validity is to line them up against Messiah’s words and his intrinsic being - exposing them to the full light of who Jesus Christ is.

You ask for an example?

What does Christ say about, or how does he relate to, the bedrock of human flourishing that has stood the test of millennia: the commitment to faithful love and mutual service between one man and one woman for life in marriage, bringing up their children in an orderly home, where roles and responsibilities are modelled and taught?

Compare this with Western contemporary, contrary views.

Extend this to the role of kings, presidents, prime ministers, governments and all leaders; to religions, ideologies and belief systems that demand submission, that do not value human life or dignity, that seek intentionally to blur the clear distinction between men and women; to oppressive regimes whether at international, national, community or family level.

Examination of these may lead to the conclusion that they are “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”

Therein lies the risk and the danger.

These “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense” are not harmless for they spring from minds, human and other-worldly, that are antithetical to goodness, wholesomeness and peace.

Since they are so dangerous, misleading, peddling lies, should they be silenced?

No - for The Bible, unlike the crazed attempts of EU and UK politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats and media elites, doesn’t call for censorship. It has no fear of such “philosophies and nonsense” gaining ground where people genuinely want The Truth.

Here’s current evidence for why those who stand for Truth do not fear the lies.

An outworking of “common sense”, the opposite of “nonsense”, was evident for the world to see on 15 April 2025 with the UK Supreme Court ruling that:

“in the Equality Act 2010 (the Act), 'sex' means biological sex: a 'woman' is a biological woman or girl (a person born female) A 'man' is a biological man or boy (a person born male).” (equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre)

Why did the UK government, public institutions, BBC and other media, sports bodies, charities and even The Church of England, need to have The Supreme Court explain what everyone knows?

The Bible alone has the answer: the confusion about “What is a woman” arose from “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world”.

#philosophy

#WhatIsAWoman

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