Old Greek Americans

“Greeks seek after wisdom” (I Cor. 1:22). But the wisdom they sought after in Paul’s day was human wisdom, not the wisdom of God. That caused all kinds of problems in the church at Corinth. Sadly, we are seeing the same philosophy in our land, even in the church.

Here are some features of ancient Greek philosophy that are alive and well today:

• Man was not created by God. He evolved. Anaximander, who was born 600 years before Jesus, believed that “animals come into being through vapors raised by the sun. Man, however, came into being from another animal, namely the fish, for at first he was like a fish.” To which God replies, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1) and “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psa. 14:1).

• Materialism. “Death is nothing to us; for that which is dissolved is void of sensation” (Epicurus, 341-270 B.C.). Some believe and others live like there is nothing after this life. God says, “It is appointed for men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).

• Relativism. “Man…is cut off from truth.” “In truth we know nothing about anything.” Democritus, who lived from 460-370 B.C., said these things. Just like many today, he was very absolute that there are no absolutes. But the truth does not change (John 12:48; John 14:6; Matt. 24:35).

• Hedonism. Epicurus also said, “Pleasure is the beginning and end of living happily.” How twisted! The purpose of life and the way to happiness is to “fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecc. 12:13). The city of Corinth was full of this thinking, and if there is an American philosophy today, it is hedonism.

What Paul said to the church at Corinth that was influenced by this philosophy applies to today: “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (I Cor. 3:19).

Kerry

West End church of Christ • July 20, 2025