CAPTIVE OR FREE?

Colossians 2:4-8—A Warning Against Deceptive Philosophy

"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments… See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the fundamental principles of the world, and not according to Christ."

— Colossians 2:4, 8

The Apostle Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:4-8 is as urgent today as it was in the first century. False ideas, disguised as "plausible arguments" (v.4), human tradition (v.8), and deceptive philosophies (v.8), seek to enslave the Church. While Paul wrote to protect believers from early forms of Gnosticism and pagan speculation, the modern captivity of the Church has been deeply shaped by the Enlightenment—a movement that promised progress through reason but instead led to spiritual blindness and rebellion against God.

What Was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries) was an intellectual movement that elevated human reason, skepticism, and empirical science above divine revelation. While it led to advances(?) in technology and governance, it also laid the foundation for secularism, atheism, and moral relativism—rejecting Scripture (The Holy Bible) as the source of truth in favor of human autonomy.

Key Enlightenment ideas that contradict biblical truth:

• Rationalism – The belief that human reason alone is sufficient to discover truth (contradicts Proverbs 3:5-6).

• Empiricism – The claim that only what can be observed and tested is true (contradicts Hebrews 11:1-3).

• Secular Humanism – The rejection of divine authority in favor of self-rule (contradicts Romans 1:21-22).

• Moral Relativism – The denial of absolute moral truth (contradicts Proverbs 14:12, Isaiah 5:20).

By rejecting God’s divine revelation, the Enlightenment led to the deconstruction of biblical faith, fueling atheism, liberal theology, and the false promises of "progressive" Christianity—all of which continue to deceive and corrupt the Church today.

"Reason" Is Not Neutral—It’s Evidence of Sinful Rebellion

Many people assume that the Enlightenment liberated humanity from ignorance. In reality, it was a rebellion against God’s authority—the very "smooth rhetoric" (Col. 2:4) and "empty deceit" (Col. 2:8) the Apostle Paul warned against.

The Bible exposes human "reason" apart from God as sinful, corrupt, and deceptive:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

• Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

• Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

• Romans 1:21-22 – Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

• 2 Peter 2:1-3 – False teachers secretly bring in destructive heresies, exploiting people with deceptive words.

• 1 Timothy 4:1-2 – Some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 – People will reject sound doctrine in favor of what their itching ears want to hear.

• Romans 1:32 – Even though they know God's righteous decree, they approve of sin and lead others into it.

These passages make it clear: What "seems" right to humans via "reason" and "rationality" is often the very thing that leads to or exacerbates our destruction. The Enlightenment falsely promised wisdom, but instead, it took people captive—just as Paul warned in Colossians 2:8.

How Enlightenment Thinking Still Corrupts the Church Today

Many of the toxic beliefs and practices in modern churches can be traced back to Enlightenment deception:

• The Sacred-Secular Divide – The belief that faith is private while reason governs the public square (leading to weak theology and cultural compromise).

• Moral Relativism in Churches – The acceptance of progressive theology, LGBTQ+ ideology, and woke justice (placing feelings above Scripture).

• The Deconstruction Movement – The idea that questioning and reconstructing faith is a virtue (encouraging people to redefine biblical truth to fit their preferences).

• Human-Centered Worship – The shift from God-glorifying, Christ-centered doctrine to self-focused, emotional experiences (rooted in Enlightenment individualism).

Fighting Back: Books That Equip Christians to Resist Enlightenment Captivity

To stand firm against these deceptions, believers must be rooted in Scripture and understand the historical battle of ideas. The following books equip Christians to recognize how the Enlightenment corrupted Western Christianity and to reclaim biblical wisdom over secular reasoning:

• Nancy Pearcey – Total Truth – Exposes the sacred-secular divide and calls Christians to apply biblical truth to all of life.

• Vishal Mangalwadi – The Book That Made Your World – Shows how Western civilization was built on the Bible, not secularism.

• Os Guinness – The Dust of Death – Critiques both Enlightenment rationalism and countercultural movements, showing that only Christianity offers true meaning.

• Craig A. Carter – Contemplating God with the Great Tradition – Defends classical theism against modern theological corruption.

• Carl R. Trueman – Strange New World – Explains how expressive individualism (rooted in Enlightenment thought) fuels identity politics and moral confusion.

• Francis A. Schaeffer – Escape from Reason – Traces how Western thought abandoned absolute truth, leading to moral chaos and existential despair.

The Ultimate Defense: Christ Jesus, the Eternal Word of God

While the aforementioned books are valuable tools, our ultimate defense is the Bible itself and our firm foundation in Christ, the Eternal Word of God:

• John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

• Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

• Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Conclusion: Stand Firm Against Captivity

The Enlightenment’s false promises of progress through reason have led to nothing but moral decay, cultural collapse, and church compromise. Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:8 remains vital: Do not be taken captive! Instead, we must submit to Christ, the only true source of wisdom, and equip ourselves to resist deception with biblical truth.

The battle for truth and faithfulness in this generation demands that we know history, recognize the enemy’s strategies (2 Cor 2:11), and fight back in the full armor of God (Eph 6:10-20) with the unshakable and Eternal Word of God!

Blessings and love, Kevin M. Kelley RevKev@BigIslandChristianChurch.com