![]() ![]() In other words, Christ meets the need we seek to fill with idols. “Idols are defeated,” he observes, “not by being removed but by being replaced” (92). Rather than demonizing the good gifts God has given us, Idleman encourages readers to see them as blessings pointing to a specific way in which we need Jesus. As he writes, “The problem is that every gift God gives us can be twisted into a lure to pull us away from him” (83). Yet Idleman rightly identifies idolatry as valuing gifts above the Giver. In an effort to purge the idols that plague us, it’s easy to overreact and throw good gifts out altogether. If every book were written to the “Young, Restless, Reformed” crowd, how would the rest of the church hear important truths? Identification and ReplacementĪ strength of Gods at War lies in its remedy to idolatry-identification and replacement. (Idleman’s previous bestseller, Not a Fan, also suffers from a lack of robust gospel focus.)Īll things considered, though, I’m thankful Idleman raises an important discussion to a new audience. While it’s apparent Idleman understands the good news, he regularly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of our desires (my satisfaction, my purpose, my identity, and so on) while only hinting at how Christ actually fulfills them. Unfortunately, he also seems to assume his audience either already knows the gospel’s content or doesn’t need an explicit reminder. Here’s an example:Ĭan I challenge you to eliminate God’s competition, just for a test, and see what happens? To those who know idols to be more than statues, however, the illustrations might seem simplistic, predicable, and at times pragmatic. Just as a counselor’s advice is tailored to each patient, Idleman’s counsel reveals a few assumptions about his target audience-namely, those unfamiliar with the contemporary evils of idolatry. Success is hearing Jesus say to you one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” How will he measure your success? (147) Audience Assumptions I need your help.” From the world’s perspective, that’s the opposite of what successful people do. But Jesus redefines a successful life as one that humbly says to God, “I can’t do this on my own. This world’s success puts the emphasis on being self-sufficient and self-reliant, acting as if we’ve got it all figured out. Such counsel is on display, for example, as Idleman dethrones the god of success: The personal stories, insightful questions, and careful use of Scripture left me feeling as if I was sitting in my pastor’s office receiving counsel. On each page his purpose is clear-to see false gods dethroned and the true God worshiped. ![]() Though mildly (and wrongly) unsettled by familiarity of the arguments in the introduction, I was quickly won over by Idleman’s pastoral tone throughout the rest of the book. Relying heavily on both cautionary and inspirational narratives, Idleman exposes the devastating results of enthroning these idols in our hearts and offers specific solutions to overcome each one. It’s the one choice that all other choices are motivated by” (26, 60).įollowing Idleman’s theoretical discussion of idolatry are three practical sections that open the doors to the temples of pleasure, power, and love-revealing the false gods within each. ![]() “The object of your worship will determine your future and define your life. ![]() “Anything at all can become an idol once it becomes a substitute for God in our lives,” he observes. Elaborating on this theme, Idleman leads us to discover the prevalence of idolatry and the battle for our hearts. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |