It is well for us to know, on the authority of God, that science is an active opposer of the truth. So also is philosophy. Timothy is told to avoid the "oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith." The Colossians too are exhorted thus: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit."
It is a great lift to the soul (in the way of freeing it from what appeals to us on every hand) when we accept this word of God for ourselves. No doubt there were attractions, and a young man like Timothy would be more attracted by the reasonings of science than some who were older. It is so today. Yet that which is most refined and most attractive in man is exposed here as utterly destructive to the truth of God in souls. No one, I take it, could afford to tamper then with either without suffering, or I do not understand what is thus written for us. The reason is not far to seek. Science is man's knowledge, and is built up, not on faith, but on reason. Philosophy is man's wisdom, independent of and without God. May the saints, and especially the young brethren of our day, be preserved from both. True knowledge comes alone from God, and true wisdom also. H. C. Anstey.