How should Christians today apply Old Testament commands about idolatry in a world filled with non-Christian symbols, artifacts, and cultures?
In January of 1983, Texas evangelist James Robinson and his wealthiest convert, T. Cullen Davis, smashed a million dollars worth of jade, ivory, and gold art objects which had a history of Oriental religious worship. Their grounds: Deuteronomy 7:25, wherein the Lord told the Israelites: “The graven images of their gods shall you burn with fire. You shall not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto yourselves, lest you be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God.” Robinson and Davis destroyed, among other things, a half million dollar jade pagoda. If you are shocked, ask yourself what you would have done back in that Deuteronomy 7 era. If you are not shocked, look up the meaning of “iconoclastic” and define how far you want to carry the principle.
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Mark Vestal
Supporter
There will always be evil in "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4). Without it (darkness) we would not see a need for The Light. Rather than focus on destroying darkness (which we are not capable of doing) we should rather make manifest the Light, which is the true purpose of Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). Eph 6:10-15 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"
Donna Williams
Supporter
As New Testament believers we have been commanded to flee and to keep ourselves from idols. See 1 Corinthians 10:14 and 1 John 5:21. There are many other New Testament passages that deal with idolatry. However, I chose to share these two. I would like to address the fact that the law was given by Moses as he was commanded by God to teach the children of Israel. I believe that what you shared about the two men was a bit extreme. If we were in the dispensation of the Old Testament we would be bound to do as God commanded; however, we are in a new dispensation of the grace of God. In the New Testament it is a matter of the heart. Jesus came to reveal the wickedness of the heart of mankind. So idolatry comes from the heart. It's not about outward worship or bowing down to false gods, but the problem is devoting our hearts to such. The law was given to show us what sin is, but God wants us to obey Him from our hearts. Love is the fulfillment of the law!
Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that anything that a person of any era (including the present day) has placed more importance on, or valued more, than God, has been or is an idol for that person. That includes not only physical or tangible objects, but any belief or system of thought that runs counter to a God-centered mindset, as noted (for example) by Jesus in Luke 12:13-21, or by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:32 (quoting from Isaiah 22:13).
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