What’s an idol?

Little figurines paraded around by tribes in the jungle?

A reality TV program where wide-eyed contestants hope to make it big in the music industry?

Or is it something else?

Idols in the Bible

The Bible has a lot to say about idols.

In the Old Testament, God’s chosen people, the Israelites, often fall into idolatry.

Their idolatry is the worship of other gods, namely the gods of the Canaanites, the previous inhabitants of the land.

Each time the Israelites worship idols, things go poorly for them.

The remedy for these troubles was the same each time; a rejection of the idols and a return to the worship of their God, YHWH.

In the New Testament, idols take on different forms, such as possessions, sexuality, and even religious practices like prayer and fasting.

Yet, the issue remains the same.

The Definition of Idolatry

Idolatry occurs when we elevate anything to the place of God. This means that idols aren’t just the gods of ancient peoples but can also be our jobs, relationships, or even elements of the faith.

Much of our inclination towards idolatry has to do with how we were designed.

God created us for a relationship with Him, and as a result, we are wired for worship. But the Fall story of Genesis 3 shows us that we’re capable (and willing) to move our worship to things outside of God.

Enter idolatry.

Now if God is agape love (1 John 4v7-12) then it’s that love we ultimately turn from when giving into idolatry.

It should come as no surprise then that our previous two topics, power and dogma, are simply different forms of idolatry. Power because it worships might and influence and dogma because it worships tradition and religion.

Any other impediment to love can just as easily fit under the banner of idolatry.

And to give into idolatry is to go against the grain of how we were designed.

Tomorrow we’ll continue the discussion by exploring what happens when idolatry takes root within the Church.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter