The Pervasiveness and Power of Idols
I remember how Pastor Phillip sums up most idolatry: letting a good thing become the ultimate thing.
All those who do not at all times trust God and… His favor, grace and good-will, but seek His favor in other things or in themselves, do not keep this Commandment, and practice idolatry. Martin Luther, Treatise Concerning Good Works
We never break the other commandments without breaking the first [Do not make any idols]
How I relate to idols in my life:
If circumstances threaten to take it away, we are paralyzed with uncontrollable fear; if something or someone has taken it away, we burn with anger and struggle with a sense of despair
Cultural and Corporate Idols
In my life, I should answer the following questions. I already have, but it should be clear to my in every season:
- What am I here to accomplish in my life?
- What am I getting, spending, and living for?
Christians seeking to work faithfully and well must discern the shape of the idols functioning in their professions
Idols of Modern Cultures
Modern culture idolizes choice and feelings.
The human self had replaced God
Idols of Postmodern Cultures
Banger quote:
Science can tell us only what is, never how things ought to be.
Technology, uncertainty, and the market have become idols of a postmodern society
We are left nothing but individual competition for personal success and power.
Many recognize the cultural contradiction that consumerism tends to undermine the very virtues of self-control and responsibility on which capitalism is founded
We will often find ourselves swimming against the very strong currents of the corporate idols of our culture.
Finding hope for our Work
The Christian Faith gives us a new and rich conception of work as partnering with God in his love and care for the world.
The Gospel radically changes our motives for work and fills us with a new and durable inner power that will be with us through thick and thin