When I used to hear the word ‘Idolatry’ my mind almost immediately went to visions of people bowing before and worshipping a statue. Or maybe it’s a golden calf or a tribe dancing around the fire to the beat of a drum. However as I read Tim Keller’s new book, Counterfeit God’s, I learnt that not only is idolatry prevalent throughout our society but it also comes in many subtle forms. According to Keller, 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. A counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living. An idol has such a controlling position in your heart that you can spend most of your passion and energy, your emotional and financial resources, on it without a second thought. It can be family and children, or career and making money, or achievement and critical acclaim, or saving “face” and social standing. It can be a romantic relationship, peer approval, competence and skill, secure and comfortable circumstances, your beauty or your brains, a great political or social cause, your morality and virtue, or even success in the Christian ministry.”
Keller illustrates the many forms of idolatry by expositing the biblical stories of Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Leah, Jonah and Zacchaeus. Not only is he an excellent expositor, but when it comes to culture, he knows his stuff. It is well researched but don’t let that deter you from reading – it is an easy read! I would recommend this ‘thought provoking book’ to anyone in ministry – whether paid or lay, as well as anyone who has the desire to reach our culture with the gospel.
“ It is impossible to understand your heart or your culture if you do not discern the counterfeit gods that influence them.”
Tim Keller is Sr. Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.
