Colossians is difficult to understand because of the particular problems that existed at the time. Some scholars say the problem was a type of gnosticism. However, no known style of gnosticism exactlv fits all the characteristics that were apparent in first-century Colossae at that time. Their problem is usually called the ‘Colossian heresy.’ Perhaps there was a particular brand of heresy, but let’s define the problem exactly the way Paul defined it. He called it “a philosophy.” It was a pseudo-religious philosophy which had permeated the culture and had also entered the church causing an emphasis on some very questionable doctrine. Paul says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” (Col. 2:8).

    Isn’t this still our problem today? In our analysis of postmodernism thus far, wouldn’t a “hollow and deceptive philosophy” work pretty well as a description of it? Is there any hope for us in a post-modern world? Do hollow and deceptive philosophies always win the day? In his day Paul was very optimistic that, with God’s help, things could change at Colossae. As we continue our critique of postmodernism, we are going to look closely at Paul’s advice to the church at Colossae, a church that was also struggling with a philosophy that contradicted much of their faith.

This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. It is written to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.

    We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God’s people. You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven — as you have been ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard and understood the truth about God’s great kindness to sinners.

    Epaphras, our much loved co-worker, was the one who brought you the Good News. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us in your place. He is the one who told us about the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

    So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.

    We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins. (Colossians 1:1-14 NLT)

    Did you notice Paul’s attitude in these verses? He honestly thinks that the negative issues in the Colossian church can be overcome. Wouldn’t he also think that the power of the gospel is superior to the Philosophical pull of postmodernism today? How important it is for Christians in our age not to give in to defeat on the front-line of philosophical challenges! The church will find an answer today when we too are given complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. (Col. 1:9) In a nutshell Paul is praying that the church will know God’s philosophy rather than the philosophy of the times.

    C. S. Lewis, in his book Miracles, describes two kinds of truth.² First, there is the Naturalist who says, “This universe is all there is. Only what I can see, touch, taste, hear or smell is real!” then there is the Supernaturalist who believes, “There is a lot more to it than that... God is really there. He created this universe from the outside and entered it in the person of Jesus Christ!” Lewis didn’t talk about “postmodernism” because the term didn’t exist then. But the postmodernist would say, “You are both correct. Truth can be based on empirical evidence and it can be based on faith. You can all have your own truths. And I can have mine too.”

    Colossians stands boldly in opposition to such postmodernist statements. Paul’s message to Colossae is not Christ and — it is Christ only. We cannot have Christ and anything (whether another philosophy or an additional religion). You must have Christ only. He is the one and the only one. As Eugene Peterson renders the last verse of chapter one, "Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.”

    If Christ is the answer, then what are the questions? Have they really changed that much? Even with a new philosophical environment like postmodernism, the critical and haunting questions of identity are still there. So we continue to ask the questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? And the Bible says, For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

    What is life all about? Paul reminds us when he says, “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3)

    Ultimately, the goal of any philosophy is to discover “the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Is that possible? Yes — but only through Christ. Jesus is still the answer!

1. What are the big questions facing our society today?
2. What have been the big changes you have seen in your world as we have entered the twenty-first century?
3. What are some activities that were considered illegitimate by our society that now are considered legitimate? What is your opinion of the changes?
4. Do you think Christianity can fit into a postmodern world? Explain.
5. Read Colossians 2:8-9. How is the book of Colossians relevant to our postmodern world?
6. Read Colossians 1:1-14. What attitude does Paul have for a church engulfed in a culture with a bad philosophical base?
7. What answers does Christ provide for our postmodern world?

Excerpted from Christ - No More, No Less, ©2000, New Leaf Books. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Title: "Jesus Is the Answer"
Author: Milton Jones
Publication Date: December 22, 2001

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