An empty, seductive philosophy

In today’s first reading (Colossians 2:6-15), St. Paul gives this warning:

See to it that no one captivate you
with an empty, seductive philosophy
according to the tradition of men,
according to the elemental powers of the world
and not according to Christ.

Many scholars theorize that St. Paul was writing against a specific “empty, seductive philosophy” – one that focused on “elemental powers” that control the world. One could easily find parallels to such a philosophy in some versions of astrology or “new age” movements.

But there are many other empty and seductive philosophies in our world today and not all of them are so easy to recognize.

Some of these philosophies are easy to recognize as philosophies, such as atheism and communism: each seductive in their own ways, each of them oddly detached from reality, and each of them ultimately empty.

Other empty and seductive philosophies at first glance seem to be too brainless to be philosophies, but they are terribly seductive, involve a particular mindset, and are ultimately empty. Most popular among these is hedonism, either as a deliberate or as a de facto lifestyle, whether pursued in a seedy “pleasure palace” or in a neat and proper suburbia.

Only Christ truly satisfies: truly, fully, and forever.

Only Christ gives the key to understanding the universe, for all things were made through him.

And so...

As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,
rooted in him and built upon him
and established in the faith as you were taught,
abounding in thanksgiving.