Sep
07
2009
Idolatry Antidote
Idolatry is a popular sin, but an unpopular subject. Some theologians believe that idolatry is at the root of every sin. What is idolatry? Simply put, it is exchanging the glory of God for the glory of something else, whether it be people or possessions.
You Are The Treasure That I Seek: But There’s a Lot Of Cool Stuff Out There, Lord
First, he exposes the hidden places of our hearts in order to bring us face to face with our own idolatry. Much of his book attempts to peel back the layers of our hearts to show us where we are infected with idolatry.
Next, Greg urges us to see the importance of fighting against idolatry. His diagnosis of our condition is unflinchingly negative, but that merely serves to motivate us to fight against idolatry with every fiber of our being. He writes:
“The battle against idolatry is a fight for our lives, the lives of others, and, most importantly, the reputation of Christ himself. I invite you to learn more about this syndrome, its pathology and its remedy, and join me, another recovering idolater, on a journey of eternal significance.” (16)
Greg frequently returns to the idea of the “idolatry syndrome.” This syndrome flares up every time we desire to find our passion and fulfillment in something other than God himself. Our pursuit of unworthy substitutes cuts us off from our ever-worthy God.
At the same time, idolatry cuts us off from other people. Greg points out:
“Idolatry cuts us off from one another. All of us are locked into personalized prisons of our own making. Is it any wonder that we’d rather chat online with a total stranger than have a day-to-day relationship with our next-door neighbors? Idolatry kills community.” (52)
Finally, Greg exposes the deceitfulness of sin. He portrays idolatry as a stealth hunter that seeks to capture us as prey. But Greg doesn’t leave us merely with truths about idolatry. He leads us back to the cross of Jesus Christ as the antidote to our sinfulness. Jesus conquers our idolatries and frees us from their enslaving grip.
You Are The Treasure That I Seek is a short book that would be terrific for a small group Bible study. The publisher includes good reflection questions that should foster good discussion. If you are tired of battling individual sins and want to get at the root problem, pick up this book. There is plenty of ammunition that will help you in your battle against idolatry.