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@ Neopatriarch⚡
2025-02-24 11:34:16
Avoiding Vain Philosophies: The Danger of Speculating About Time
Introduction: When Theology Becomes Science Fiction
Some words sound theological, but they are not biblical. Concepts like "before time," "outside of time," and "timelessness" are often used in theological discussions, yet they have no scriptural basis. Instead of leading us into truth, they tend to drift into the realm of science fiction. These terms would feel more at home in Back to the Future or Star Trek than in serious Bible study.
Yet, many Christians repeat them without question. But is this how God reveals Himself? Or are we allowing human philosophy to redefine the God of Scripture?
Where Do These Ideas Come From?
When people talk about God being "outside of time," they are not drawing from the Bible but from Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism and Aristotelian metaphysics. Plato taught that the material world is an inferior copy of an eternal, unchanging realm of perfect forms. Aristotle developed the idea of a "Prime Mover"—a being that causes motion but does not move or change itself.
Early Christian theologians, influenced by Greek thought, attempted to merge these ideas with the Bible. The result? A concept of God that is static, impersonal, and detached from time and human history. But is this how God presents Himself in Scripture?
The Biblical God: A God Who Acts in History
From Genesis to Revelation, God is revealed as a living, dynamic, and relational Being who interacts with His creation in real time:
God speaks and creates – "And God said, Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3).
God walks with man – "And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden" (Genesis 3:8).
God responds to prayer – "And God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not" (Jonah 3:10).
God enters history as Jesus Christ – "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).
God has a future plan – "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father" (1 Corinthians 15:24).
These passages do not describe a "timeless" deity but a God who engages with His creation in real, unfolding history.
Paul’s Warning: Beware of Vain Philosophies
Colossians 2:8 warns us:
"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."
Many theological ideas that pass as "deep truths" are actually vain philosophies that lead believers away from Christ. Instead of focusing on how God actually reveals Himself, people become obsessed with abstract ideas that sound profound but have no scriptural foundation.
Paul tells us to guard our minds against these influences. Our theology must be rooted in Scripture, not speculation.
Conclusion: Keep Theology Biblical, Not Speculative
The Bible never speaks of a "timeless" or "outside of time" God. These ideas do not come from Scripture but from human philosophy and speculation.
God acts in real time.
God engages in history.
God reveals Himself through events, covenants, and relationships.
Instead of drifting into abstract, extra-biblical ideas, let’s stick to how God actually presents Himself in Scripture. The moment we go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6), we risk exchanging biblical truth for philosophical speculation.
As Paul warns, let’s not be "spoiled" by vain philosophy. Let’s keep our theology rooted in Scripture, not speculation.