Blog post October 15, 2026

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

Sometimes there are certain words that just jump out at me as I'm reading scripture. Hollow and deceptive caught my eye today. I've been reading John Lennox's autobiography and listening a lot to the atheist thinkers of our day. It seems these two words describe them very well. Neither science nor Christianity has all the answers to the why questions of this world. One question people often have is "why is there so much pain and suffering if there is a God"? Science has absolutely no answer to that question, other than everything happens by chance and circumstance.

I believe Christianity answers it, but what I like the most about Christianity is not that it has an answer, but that we have a God who hasn't separated Himself from it, but rather came in the flesh to be part of it. Christ Himself joined the suffering of this world and He was the recipient of evil moral choices, as many are today. So we have a Savior who can sympathize with us and yet has overcome, that we too may overcome.

So at the end of the day Christianity has hope. Hollow and empty Philosophy not only does not answer life's big questions but leaves people with no hope. I have done far more funerals as a Pastor than I have weddings, and I can tell you those who have bought into this world's hollow and empty philosophy do not have hope as they come down to the finish line. But those who have put their faith in Christ have a confidence and hope that is beautiful to see, and most reassuring.

Heavenly Father thank you for the hope we have as Your children. Hope in the sense of assurity and promises. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit who is the seal and promise of our inhearantance. Lord help us to be sensitive to those who have bought into hollow and empty philosphies that we may share with them a better way. Jesus. Amen Amen.