You also make some good evaluations, and yes we are pretty close in our understanding. I certainly agree that the religious leaders and false shepherds definitely stood in the way of new believers coming to faith, however i think we must still consider the context of this verse. You wrote:
“What is against us, are the Philosophies and religious traditions of men.”
However, our scripture states that those things that stood “in the way” were “nailed to the cross”. The opinions of men with their “vain philosophies and traditions of men” were not nailed to the cross or done away with. To the contrary, they are as strong as ever and continue with us to this day!
In the following verse (15) we see the results of the “blotting out” of these ordinances that were against us, which is Jesus “having spoiled principalities and powers...”
- Referring to the Devil, Jesus said:
“And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and SPOIL his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will SPOIL his house.” Matthew 12:27-29
Going back to our text in Colossians 2:15, the result of “nailing the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” is that “principalities and powers” were “spoiled”.
Therefore, i maintain that it was the record of our sins, which stood as a record against us that Jesus nailed to the cross and “blotted out”, thereby completely disarming the great Accuser of the brethren!
As David wrote after his great sin with Bathsheba had been exposed and stood “against” him:
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions... Hide thy face from my sins, and
blot out all mine iniquities.” Psalms 51:1,9