ON MOSAIC PHILOSOPHY

...faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, walk in him, rooted and abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one deceives you through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men and according to the elements of the world and not according to Christ Jesus: because in him dwells all the fullness of the Divinity bodily, and you are filled in him, who is the head of all Principality and power, etc. From these words, the following things are worthy of note and should be observed with diligence:

First, that the fullness of all intelligence and knowledge consists in the revelation and knowledge of the mystery of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ. Since (as the Apostle says) in Christ alone consists the Coloss. 2:3 Treasury of wisdom and knowledge. Hence Christ used these words: "Seek the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto you." Consequently, it is mere foolishness to seek true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom from those who do not possess it.

Second, that honey-tongued orators and craftily deceptive sophists and the vain philosophers of this world are to be avoided at all costs and in no way believed; indeed, their doctrines or words are superficial and scarcely probable, insofar as they have nothing else for the foundation of their structure in truth than empty and imaginary figments.

Third, that there is a certain Philosophy—and consequently a certain wisdom—which takes its beginning from the invention or tradition of men and according to the elements of this world and not according to Christ. Therefore, it is to be avoided and repelled with every effort by true Christians, or at least not observed with such sincerity as if it had been sent from the heavens to the earth by some divinity.

Fourth, that sincere philosophy—and consequently true wisdom—is that which is according to the nature of Christ, in whom indeed all perfect knowledge and the Treasuries of cognition and wisdom are situated. This doctrine is fashioned not according to the teaching or traditions of men, nor according to the elements of the world—which is earthly, animalistic, demonic, and contradictory James 3:15 to the truth—but according to that which descends from God, the Father of Lights, as we are taught by the Apostle James.

Therefore, upon the bases of this human or worldly wisdom was erected (as we have said) that wisdom of the Greeks, which is the chief pillar of Christian philosophy for the present day. This seems to be proven in this: first, because the Apostle Paul denies that it is true philosophy, insofar as it is not built upon the Cornerstone original: "Lapidem Angularem", Jesus Christ, as is clearly explained from his sermons delivered to the Athenian philosophers. For when the sects of the Epicureans and Stoics held a conversation with him (after he had dissuaded them by the reasons of divine philosophy from idolatry and the veneration of false and unknown gods, and had preached to them the laws of the true wisdom of Jesus Christ and the future resurrection from the dead,

and consequently had instructed them in the foundations of true and real Philosophy), Acts 17:18 some of them replied, saying: "What does this babbler original: "feminiverbius"; a literal Latin rendering of the Greek 'spermologos,' meaning a 'seed-picker' or someone who picks up scraps of talk, used here as a derogatory term for someone talking nonsense. wish to say?" But others said: "He seems to be a proclaimer of new demons." To whom at last the truly Christian philosopher responded in these words: "Men of Athens, I see that you are in all things, as it were, quite superstitious. For passing by and seeing your idols, I found also an altar on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Him therefore, whom you worship Acts 17:22 in ignorance, I announce to you," etc.

Note here in passing that he argues by this speech that they were ignorant of the true foundation of sincere philosophy; namely, they did not know the true God, who is the fountainhead of true wisdom. Then he proceeds in this manner: "God (he says), who made the world Acts 17:24 and all things that are in it; since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he does not dwell in temples made by hands, nor is he worshiped by human hands, nor does he lack anything, since he himself gives to all life and breath and all things," etc.

Listen and observe (I beseech you) the excellence of this wise philosopher, who by these words clearly teaches these worldly philosophers divine wisdom, and consequently Essential Philosophy original: "philosophiam Essentialem"; a philosophy concerned with the inner essence or spirit of things rather than just their outward appearance.. For through this text he indicates that the Spirit of God, which is Christ Jesus, does not inhabit artificial temples, but makes any created thing his sanctuary; and among all other creatures, he makes man himself his fleshy temple by excellence, as is clear in the same context. Therefore he affirms that the same holy spirit of wisdom gives life, breath, and all things to every creature.

Because if he gives to every thing, then there remains no thing in the world that is not animated by him—indeed, drawing its life, respiration, and existence from and in that divine wisdom. For this John 1:4, 9 reason, he is not undeservedly called by the scriptures the Cornerstone, insofar as the fabric of every creature consists upon him and in him, and fundamentally leans upon him. Therefore it is 1 Tim 6:13 evident that he alone is the light of the world, in 1 Cor 15:26 which is that life which gives life to all things; and Coloss 1:16 who is all in all. In him were created 1 Cor 12:16 all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible; all things were created through him and in him, and he is before all, and all things consist in him. He fills all, and works all in all. Does not Solomon also seem to agree with this matter when he asserts that the Wisdom 12:1 incorruptible Spirit of God is in every thing?

Moreover, the Apostle proceeds in the thread of this sort of speech: "And he made (he says) from one, Acts 17:26 every race of men to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, defining the appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, to seek God, if perhaps they might feel after him or find him; although he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, move, and have our being; as also some of your own poets have said," etc. Behold and see the admirable virtue of this divine Stone and...

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