What place does philosophy have in Christianity?

           Philosophy is a rationale system of thought regarding a topic.  I.e. what is your philosophy of horse breeding. Throughout history mankind has had numerous philosophies regarding everything.  Watch politics and you will see various systems of thought.   But how does secular philosophy and Christianity relate?  Should Christianity utilize concurrent human philosophies for the defense, advancement and betterment of Christianity?  Without seeking to address every aspect of the discussion I would like to consider I Cor1.

            In I Corinthians 1 Paul is addressing the carnal church in Corinth.  Paul begins by providing a theological insight of God's past, present and future grace in their lives (1:3-9).  Following these insights Paul quickly confronts their partisan divisions. The Corinthians were obsessed with following men.  Paul explains the Lordship of Christ in Christianity (vs 12-17), his own blamelessness and then addresses the root problem of their partisan divisions in vs 17.  The Corinthians had a man centered philosophy.  They exalted the position of men, magnificent oratory and human wisdom.  Corinth was just up the road from Athens in Greece.  They possessed a Hellenistic philosophy.  This was fleshed out in their partisan divisions.  Paul says your fruit, divisions by following men, is wrong (1:10-17) and your thinking, man center philosophy, is wrong (1:17-2:16). In I Cor 1:17, Paul powerfully confronts the Corinthians with the reality that their philosophy, wisdom of words, was contrary to the nature of the gospel!  Wow that would grab your attention!  In I Cor 1:17-2:16 Paul explains the wisdom of God demonstrated in the gospel. In vs 18, Paul declaratively states God's divine intentions for the proclamation of the gospel.  I Cor 1:18,"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." In vs 19-20 Paul states God's opposition to human wisdom. God seeks to destroy it! In vs 21-23, God intended for people to not know Him through human wisdom! In vs 24, God’s calling not human orientation/wisdom is the revelation of Christ, as the power and wisdom of God. Also in vs 24, Christ is declared to be the wisdom of God.  In verse 25, Paul declares the superiority of God's wisdom over man's wisdom.  God’s purpose for His superior wisdom revealed to be for His glory in 1:26-31. 
 

              From I Cor 1 we recognize God's opposition to human wisdom!  Therefore it is foolish to use something God is opposed to! The palatalizing of the gospel to human ears and minds is compromising to the gospel! In I Cor 2:1-5 Paul explains that the simple proclamation of the gospel lays the proper solid God honoring foundation. Using secular philosophy lays a weak foundation on man's wisdom. The gospel is simple.  God the Son died for human sins, buried, and rose again victoriously.  The forgiveness of sins is gained by faith in Jesus work.  To make that message acceptable to unbelieving ears compromises the message.  God did not intend for us to make the gospel more acceptable!  God intended for us to declare the simple message and He would work (I Cor 1:24).  

          Church history testifies to examples of utilizing worldly philosophy and the resulting detrimental consequences. Origen utilized an allegorical method to defend Christianity and damaged Biblical Bibliology.  Modernism accepted Rationalism as authoritative over Scripture and departed from God.  Evolution seeks to account for existence and creation excluding God. 
  

          As Christians there is freedom in believing the Word of God.  We do not have to make our message acceptable to the world.   We are simply to declare it.  We are to declare it well and clearly but without compromise.