You may think that idolatry refers only to idols that are visible, palpable, and external to you; however, idolatry is linked to the object or person you put in God’s place on the throne of your heart; Idols are worshipped in God’s place, which is unique, and that means that God the Almighty has been dethroned and relegated to a place of little importance to you. What is God’s place in your life?
We don’t always realize that we are idollathers, but we can poll our hearts often and voluntarily to see if we put our worship in the right person: God.
- Some books can help us in the search for idols.
- So we have selected important elements so that you can dig your heart in search of false gods and stop idolatry in your heart and become a true worshipper in spirit and truth.
One of the good books on the subject is FALSE GODS (yes, it’s well written, as on the book cover, and I think it’s a good contrast to start a book title with lowercase letters), the author is Timothy Keller, a successful 21st century Christian writer.
A well-articulated book that uses biblical texts with new angles illuminated by the author’s broad theological vision, counterpointing the false gods to which our fallen aspire and what must prevail as the center of our love. Keller begins the book by showing how our hearts forge idols and continues to cite the known idols of our aspirations: sex, money, fame, success, power and ends with a blow to mortify idols. A fluid reading booklet, but rich in content.
Another very appropriate book on the subject is Elyse Fitzpatrick’s ‘dolos do Cora’ao’ (Editora Vida Nova in partnership with ABCB [i]), certified biblical advisor, author of several books, some by Fiel Editor: Vencendo Medos y Ansiedades, Sem Fear da My Age, among others.
One of the things I love most about Elyse’s text is his centrality in Christ, it draws my attention to how he always leads us on the way of the cross, this makes us walk with perseverance and tranquility the way to overcome the sins rooted in our idylator. Hearts. It’s a book to read and reread.
GKBeale’s book You Become What You Love is a theology on idolatry, a text based on Isaiah 6, where he speculates the model of idolatry in this biblical passage and continues to point the same pattern at the rest of The Bible Is Not a Simple Book, but a complete and well-documented study of what idolatry causes in us : we have become our idol.
So far we have seen the books that speak to us of idolatry, but from now on I want to quote some good readings for you, having swept your heart, directing all your worship towards our Almighty God.
There is a booklet of Pastor John Piper that inspires us greatly to hold on to our Lord: full satisfaction in God (Faithful Editor). Professor Piper will challenge us to grow spiritually and give you the antidote to the smallness of our Christian life. : be satisfied in God. Investigate our pride, our finances, our marriage and pass us from the pleasure of knowing God to worship. Small and robust like all the theology offered by Pastor Piper.
Another small, power-filled one is the J Adoration booklet. C. Ryle (Faithful Editor), although her first publication took place in the 19th century, Bishop Ryle remains updated in his teachings on how to worship God. Enriching reading to reformulate worship.
To conclude the recommendations, I would like to point out a very complete book: The Reformed Spirituality of Joel Beeke (Faithful Editor). This book gives us an idea of the devotional theology of the Puritans, those brothers who have had a pious life in All Fields and who have been examples of devotional behavior. The whole text is based on the history of these great Christians who lived a pious and fruitful life for the kingdom of God. This real-life panorama encourages us to become more and more dedicated to the Lord The book is great, but reading is quite captivating and will make you aspire to an authentic spirituality in your life.
[i] ABCB? Brazilian Association of Biblical Advisers