FROM SHADOW TO SUBSTANCE

Paul, an apostle, wrote to the Church at Colossae partly to confront the heresies that existed in Colossae and that had entered into the church and were being practiced and encouraged. Especially philosophical speculations, astral powers (psychic and paranormal phenomena), reverence to angelic intermediaries, food taboos, astrological days and signs, and ascetic practices with Jewish roots (Colossians 2:8-23). In chapter 2:10 Paul writes, “In him (Jesus) you have been made complete.”

Eugene Peterson (1932-2018) wrote in ‘The Message’ version on Colossians 2:8-10:

“Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.”

“Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.” Jesus