Gospel of Mystery

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Gospel of Philosophy- Gospel of Mystery and Wisdom

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of this world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (the Gospel Rom. 1:16).

In ancient or Bible times, religion was closely linked with the political and social life of people. Thus, the world mystery religions of Egypt, Babylon and Greece were founded by prominent philosophers (known as magicians as in Egypt, astrologers and wise men as in Babylon). These philosophers were teachers in all respect and shaped the religious, political, sociological (scientific and technological) hemisphere of their culture groups. Education was not seen as a separation between secularism and religion but as wisdom for living. Many of these philosophers possessed spiritual powers for the guidance of their people or paid tribute to a particular deity for it’s knowledge.

God severely warned the Israelites not to go in the ways of the nations around them by engaging in witchcraft, soothsaying, interpreting omens, sorcery, one who conjures spells, mediums, spiritists or those who converses with the dead. Deut. 18:9-14. These are things they saw and were used to in the Egyptian mystery religions, but God wants them to serve Him in the way He prescribes for them and not the way they have learnt it. He would not tolerate religious syncretism. Many times that Israel strayed from God, it was due to religious syncretism. They wanted to serve God but not in the way He prescribed instead they wanted to serve God like the nations around, that is to serve God and idols altogether. But God would not accept that. It is either they worshipped Him and He alone or they turn to idols which calls for His chastisement.

In the same way, there are teachings and practices of mystery religions and occults which have been rebranded Christian and polished with Bible passages especially from the Psalms. In so many of these teachings today, it is only by discernment one is able to deduce that these are the philosophies of men and not the doctrine of God. Jesus challenged the Pharisees that they taught the commandment of men and ignored that of God. Matt. 15:3-6.

These kinds of philosophies can be broadly categorised into two namely the Gospel of Mystery (Syncretism) and the Gospel of Wisdom (Knowledge). The Greek gnostics claimed they have esoteric knowledge that liberates the soul, and were custodians of mysteries that made them spiritually superior to the others. In response to this, Paul told the Colossians that Christ was both the mystery and the wisdom/knowledge, so there was nothing they needed outside Christ. Col. 1:26-27; 2:2-3.

Simon the sorcerer had bewitched the residents of Samaria with his magical practices, but when he saw the miracles of Philip, he believed. He however had not given up his magical practices. His Syncretism was revealed when Peter was praying for the Samaritans to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and he wanted to buy it from the apostles with money to add to his magical collections. Peter responded that he would perish with his money for his heart was not right and he thought he could buy the gift of God with money.

Finally, the gospel of mystery deals with the spiritual realm, involves visions, dreams, revelations and other cultic practices. While gospel of wisdom deals with the intellectual realms involving insights, ideas and thought process orientation.

© Purpose Media Publications, 2020