Don't Be Fooled ByTaoism

[Stumpmaster]

When I discover Christians who endorse the philosophy known as Taoism I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Colossians.

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

There is a difference between knowing about a philosophy and approving its principles to the extent that they are espoused as acceptable for Christians to incorporate into their lives.

For those interested here are some quotes and links to bigger articles on the subject.
tao (n.)

1736, from Chinese tao "way, path, right way (of life), reason."
[tao | Search Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com)]

Taoism and Christianity (probe.org)
. . . even though the term Tao is used of Christ in the Chinese translation of John’s Gospel, we should not infer that Taoism and Christianity are really about the same thing. They are not. Christianity proclaims a personal Creator who is morally outraged by man’s sinfulness and will one day judge the world in righteousness (Rom. 1:182:6). Taoism proclaims an impersonal creative principle which makes no moral distinction between right and wrong and which judges no one. Christianity proclaims that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25), and that eternal life is freely given to all who trust Him as Savior (John 1:12; Rom. 6:23). In contrast, the doctrine of moral relativism in Taoism clouds the need for a Savior from sin. Finally, and most shocking of all, is Jesus’ claim to be the only true Tao–or Way–to the Father (John 14:6). If He is right, then Taoism, for all its admirable qualities, cannot have told the eternal Tao.

Comparing and Contrasting Taoism with Christianity
Relative and Absolute Values
Taoists believe that all values are relative. Any given moral or aesthetic value, for example, has meaning only in relation to its opposite. We could not comprehend beauty without ugliness, nor could we appreciate the value of nonviolence without also understanding violence. Taoism insists that true harmony, a true balance that reflects how the universe is a constant interplay of yang and yin, requires the existence of both what we commonly label as “good” and “bad.” Most Christians, on the other hand, embrace the existence of at least some absolute moral values. The existence of evil, rather than being a part of a larger, perfect harmony, is evidence of human sinfulness—of something that has gone wrong with God’s creation.

 

[amigo de christo]

When I discover Christians who endorse the philosophy known as Taoism I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Colossians.

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

There is a difference between knowing about a philosophy and approving its principles to the extent that they are espoused as acceptable for Christians to incorporate into their lives.

For those interested here are some quotes and links to bigger articles on the subject.
tao (n.)

1736, from Chinese tao "way, path, right way (of life), reason."
[tao | Search Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com)]

Taoism and Christianity (probe.org)
. . . even though the term Tao is used of Christ in the Chinese translation of John’s Gospel, we should not infer that Taoism and Christianity are really about the same thing. They are not. Christianity proclaims a personal Creator who is morally outraged by man’s sinfulness and will one day judge the world in righteousness (Rom. 1:182:6). Taoism proclaims an impersonal creative principle which makes no moral distinction between right and wrong and which judges no one. Christianity proclaims that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25), and that eternal life is freely given to all who trust Him as Savior (John 1:12; Rom. 6:23). In contrast, the doctrine of moral relativism in Taoism clouds the need for a Savior from sin. Finally, and most shocking of all, is Jesus’ claim to be the only true Tao–or Way–to the Father (John 14:6). If He is right, then Taoism, for all its admirable qualities, cannot have told the eternal Tao.

Comparing and Contrasting Taoism with Christianity
Relative and Absolute Values
Taoists believe that all values are relative. Any given moral or aesthetic value, for example, has meaning only in relation to its opposite. We could not comprehend beauty without ugliness, nor could we appreciate the value of nonviolence without also understanding violence. Taoism insists that true harmony, a true balance that reflects how the universe is a constant interplay of yang and yin, requires the existence of both what we commonly label as “good” and “bad.” Most Christians, on the other hand, embrace the existence of at least some absolute moral values. The existence of evil, rather than being a part of a larger, perfect harmony, is evidence of human sinfulness—of something that has gone wrong with God’s creation.

Modern day christenism has become taosim and they know it not .

 

[Stumpmaster]

Modern day christenism has become taosim and they know it not .

Well said, @amigo de christo

New American Standard Bible
2Ti 4:3
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,

 

[GaryAnderson]

Huh, I had no idea what Taoism was until I read this.

 

[Matthias]

I don’t recall ever having met a Cristian who endorsed Taoism. How common are such persons?

 

[theefaith]

When I discover Christians who endorse the philosophy known as Taoism I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Colossians.

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

There is a difference between knowing about a philosophy and approving its principles to the extent that they are espoused as acceptable for Christians to incorporate into their lives.

For those interested here are some quotes and links to bigger articles on the subject.
tao (n.)

1736, from Chinese tao "way, path, right way (of life), reason."
[tao | Search Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com)]

Taoism and Christianity (probe.org)
. . . even though the term Tao is used of Christ in the Chinese translation of John’s Gospel, we should not infer that Taoism and Christianity are really about the same thing. They are not. Christianity proclaims a personal Creator who is morally outraged by man’s sinfulness and will one day judge the world in righteousness (Rom. 1:182:6). Taoism proclaims an impersonal creative principle which makes no moral distinction between right and wrong and which judges no one. Christianity proclaims that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25), and that eternal life is freely given to all who trust Him as Savior (John 1:12; Rom. 6:23). In contrast, the doctrine of moral relativism in Taoism clouds the need for a Savior from sin. Finally, and most shocking of all, is Jesus’ claim to be the only true Tao–or Way–to the Father (John 14:6). If He is right, then Taoism, for all its admirable qualities, cannot have told the eternal Tao.

Comparing and Contrasting Taoism with Christianity
Relative and Absolute Values
Taoists believe that all values are relative. Any given moral or aesthetic value, for example, has meaning only in relation to its opposite. We could not comprehend beauty without ugliness, nor could we appreciate the value of nonviolence without also understanding violence. Taoism insists that true harmony, a true balance that reflects how the universe is a constant interplay of yang and yin, requires the existence of both what we commonly label as “good” and “bad.” Most Christians, on the other hand, embrace the existence of at least some absolute moral values. The existence of evil, rather than being a part of a larger, perfect harmony, is evidence of human sinfulness—of something that has gone wrong with God’s creation.

faith and baptism Mk 16:16 acts 8:36-38

 

[JohnPaul]

When I discover Christians who endorse the philosophy known as Taoism I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Colossians.

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

There is a difference between knowing about a philosophy and approving its principles to the extent that they are espoused as acceptable for Christians to incorporate into their lives.

For those interested here are some quotes and links to bigger articles on the subject.
tao (n.)

1736, from Chinese tao "way, path, right way (of life), reason."
[tao | Search Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com)]

Taoism and Christianity (probe.org)
. . . even though the term Tao is used of Christ in the Chinese translation of John’s Gospel, we should not infer that Taoism and Christianity are really about the same thing. They are not. Christianity proclaims a personal Creator who is morally outraged by man’s sinfulness and will one day judge the world in righteousness (Rom. 1:182:6). Taoism proclaims an impersonal creative principle which makes no moral distinction between right and wrong and which judges no one. Christianity proclaims that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25), and that eternal life is freely given to all who trust Him as Savior (John 1:12; Rom. 6:23). In contrast, the doctrine of moral relativism in Taoism clouds the need for a Savior from sin. Finally, and most shocking of all, is Jesus’ claim to be the only true Tao–or Way–to the Father (John 14:6). If He is right, then Taoism, for all its admirable qualities, cannot have told the eternal Tao.

Comparing and Contrasting Taoism with Christianity
Relative and Absolute Values
Taoists believe that all values are relative. Any given moral or aesthetic value, for example, has meaning only in relation to its opposite. We could not comprehend beauty without ugliness, nor could we appreciate the value of nonviolence without also understanding violence. Taoism insists that true harmony, a true balance that reflects how the universe is a constant interplay of yang and yin, requires the existence of both what we commonly label as “good” and “bad.” Most Christians, on the other hand, embrace the existence of at least some absolute moral values. The existence of evil, rather than being a part of a larger, perfect harmony, is evidence of human sinfulness—of something that has gone wrong with God’s creation.

Anything outside of God Jehovah's word and Christ's teachings is paganism and who ever follows these things are heathens.

 

[Stumpmaster]

I don’t recall ever having met a Cristian who endorsed Taoism. How common are such persons?

A while back there was a member of this forum, and other Christian forums, who promoted Taoism.

Polarity Doctrine teaches that in everything opposition is inherent, often leading to conflict.

Biblical Polarity Doctrine teaches every opposition to God is brought into subjection to Him.


1Co 15:27 For He put all things under His feet. But when He says that all things have been put under His feet, it is plain that it excepts Him who has put all things under Him.
1Co 15:28 But when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subject to Him who has subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all things in all.