The outrage of idolatry

Have we forgotten to be offended by idolatry?

In the West we have little experience of people bowing down before physical idols of wood and stone, and we struggle to apply the Bible's teaching about idolatry. So we think of idolatry in terms of false ideas, values and desires. We define idols as the family, job, sport, entertainment, etc. This is legitimate. The Bible itself does this in calling greed idolatry.

But I wonder if in doing this, have we watered down the Bible's attitude to idols? Have we overlooked the fact that there is something particularly offensive about "real" idol worship.

The Israelites, the prophets, the apostle Paul, all reserve a special horror towards the actual worship of false gods and idols. It seems, in comparison with many other sins, there is something about idol worship that is especially defiling, dehumanising and enslaving. "They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves." (Jer. 2:5) It is not that idol worshippers are more wicked than other people. However, we all recognise that some sins are more despicable, enslaving and destructive than others. And idol worship is ranked in the scriptures as among the worst of all evils.

As I share with people back home the fact that Taiwan is soaked in the making and worship of idols, they often want to insist that it is no worse that the idolatries back home. That it is just as dark spiritually in the secular West. But, on reflection I want to say, no!

When we see people bowing and praying to physical idols, we should be distressed and recognise that Satan has an extra strong hold on the lives of these people. It is not the same as making an "idol" of football, or TV, or career.

I think that in places like Taiwan, where idol worship is enthusiastically practised, there is an extra dimension of darkness. And along with it an even greater need to prayer and to proclaim the gospel of Christ's victory over darkness.

Phil Nicholson

Comments

• Sam

  Sunday 05 April 2009

  You've hit on something profound. In Taiwan idolatry is not a metaphor for something else. It is actual idolatry...intentional worship of gods. In the West, worship isn't really happening toward gods.
  Enjoying your blog,
  
  p.s. Is there a RSS feed? I'd love to subscribe.
  
  My email is fullofpurpose at gmail dot com.
  Thanks,
  Sam