Foolishness Without God

Yesterday I read a meme which contained a quote I have seen attributed to the stoic Seneca:  "The wise man is neither raised up by prosperity nor cast down by adversity; for always he has striven to rely predominantly on himself, and to derive all joy from himself."  What was intended to be a "mic-drop" quote fell flat with a whimper, for this reeks of the wisdom of man which is foolishness with God.  Words are not true or insightful because they were recorded from ancient times but because they agree with God who is our Wisdom and words God has spoken.  This empty philosophy is completely without footing, a humanist ideal which fails entirely because it depends upon the strength of mortal, flawed men.

A careful read of this statement reveals it to be self-defeating and contradictory.  Because men are continually raised up by prosperity and cast down by adversity it could be truly said there is not a wise man among us.  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," said wise King Solomon in Proverbs 9:10.  According to Seneca, the wise always strives to rely predominately on himself.  Though a man may strive he cannot always be successful to achieve his aims.  It is amusing a man relies "predominantly" on himself which shows reliance upon others is a necessary admission.  Men are not born but are raised, and there is not a male infant from birth who did not completely rely upon others for his survival to grow to be a man.  In total contrast to the claim of Seneca, the Bible teaches the wise wholly rely on the LORD in faith, hearing the words of Jesus and doing them.  A man who strives to rely upon himself is a pitiful substitute for the living God who created him.

Seneca says the wise always strives to "derive all joy from himself."  The massive problem with this approach is man is not capable of producing genuine joy which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  Feelings of happiness often depend on what happens, not because our hearts are themselves a natural spring of joy for us to tap into.  Positive may our personalities be, but this is a thin veneer over immeasurable emptiness within our souls.  Physically man is a finite creature of limitations:  our lifespan is measured by years, height by millimetres, and weight by kilograms.  What can be measured has an end.  We can have every need met yet remain devoid of the joy we seek.  Even if joy was to be derived from us, it would have a sure end.  Nehemiah told people sorrowing for sin to celebrate their understanding of God's law because "...The joy of the LORD is your strength." (Neh. 8:10)  People who felt sharp pangs of guilt were able to rejoice because in faith they trusted and obeyed God who strengthened them to do so.  Joy has everything to do with the goodness of God who does not change when we know He knows and loves us.  Joy is not derived from self but a gift from God.

There is no doubt Seneca was a very intelligent man, yet the most learned are not necessarily wise.  God is the only One qualified to define and determine this.  Paul was a contemporary of Seneca who conversed with philosophers often.  In contrast to the claim of Seneca, Paul wrote inspired by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; ²⁰ and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." ²¹ Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. ²³ And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's."  A philosophy which accounts for man's efforts but not for the one true God is most empty and futile indeed.