Back to the Basics! Theology Proper #4 The Issue of Idolatry

The true God of the Bible wants to be sought.  He wants us to know Him!  He has revealed Himself to us in Scripture.  But, as the Reformer John Calvin said, “man’s nature is a perpetual factory of idols.”  Idolatry is a big issue in the Scriptures, and we want to look at several verses on this topic.

But first, I’d like to share with you a short video my daughter Amy did for me a number of years ago on the issue of idolatry:

Idolatry is very much alive with us today.  I’m not talking about the silly worship of entertainers like “American Idol,” but our propensity to elevate good things to the level of ultimate things.

Timothy Keller in his book Counterfeit Gods makes the point that “[an idol] . . . is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give…”

We must constantly check our view of God with what God Himself reveals to us in His Word!  Or . . . we might be guilty of . . .

 

Jonah: Belief Contradicted by Behavior (Part 22)

Analyzing another person’s prayers is always a dangerous thing.  But Jonah 2 was given so that we might learn some valuable lessons.  And his prayer meeting inside the sea creature’s gullet assures us that wherever we are, we can pray!

I pray when my distress meter is starting to max out.  How about you?

I know that I need to see my circumstances in life as actions of God in drawing me to Himself.  True, I’ve not been tossed overboard by newly-converted formerly pagan sailors to calm an angry sea, but I am living in the world God made — and He wants me to serve Him with all the energy I can muster.

Often, however, I resort to IDOLATRY!  Yes!  A veteran, 67-year-old theologian who ought to know better!  I value other things more than the Lord and make decisions based on what I think are my best interests!  You don’t think you lapse (or dive) into idolatry from time to time?  Check out Tim Keller’s book and read it with an open mind.

Clinging to any idols today?  Some of my more dangerous ones are: self-sufficiency, autonomy, respect, pride, etc.  Got any that you dare to list in the Comment section below?  (to be continued)

 

 

 

Time for a Great Cartoon (playing God)

Again, Watterson illustrates a profound perspective on life: man can act as God and create his own lifeforms!

Talk about creativity being twisted to serve one’s own whims! God has made us in His image — and that involves relationships, being careful stewards over God’s creation, and possessing a deep sense of creativeness.  But that creativity can be used to honor God or create our own idols.

If you’ve not read TImothy Keller’s book Counterfeit Gods, I would highly recommend it.   He reminds us that an idol is not a bad thing.  It is often a good thing raised to the level of an ultimate thing.  He gives a two-minute explanation of his book here.