Israel and Idolatry: What is the NT Equivelent?

[Lisa Robinson]

I'm reading through the prophets this semester for one of my Bible exposition classes and its pretty clear that God's anger and ultimate judgment against Israel was her covenant breaking idolatry, which was often referenced as spiritual adultery.

We hear much of God not not liking idolatry for the believer in Christ. But what exactly is the equivalent of idolatry and spiritual adultery in a NT context?

Clarification: the question has to do with what a believer in Christ does that equates to the sins of idolatry and spiritual adultery of the OT. This is not a post to debate idols and demons.

[Dr Mike]

Lisa:

Great question. Before I offer my thoughts, though, I'd like to ask a question about the nature of Israel's idolatry in the OT. Was it naked idolatry or was it more syncretistic? I'm not saying that one is necessarily less offensive to God than the other but am thinking about it in order to discover a NT equivalent, i.e., simply idolatry or syncretism?

[Chad Gibbons]

Paul seems to have it tied up with immorality and impurity and on the same level as greed:

"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." - Colossians 3:5

"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." - Ephesians 5:5

[Lisa Robinson]

If by naked idolatry you mean bowing down to other gods, I'd say its both. In fact, the syncrenism was a concession to other gods.

Dr Mike said:

Lisa:

Great question. Before I offer my thoughts, though, I'd like to ask a question about the nature of Israel's idolatry in the OT. Was it naked idolatry or was it more syncretistic? I'm not saying that one is necessarily less offensive to God than the other but am thinking about it in order to discover a NT equivalent, i.e., simply idolatry or syncretism?

[Char]

Well there was the idolatry of the golden calf also-not another god.

Paul really ties it to greed and covetousness and such. There's also the whole deal with the desire for sameness. So in the end it seems to me it's plain old incurvatus. Augustin always went on about disordered love and earthbound hope and I definitely think that enters into it, but in the end maybe even that can be boiled down to incurvatus. It's all wanting something other than God as he is.

[John Roberts]

"And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Mat 21:13). idolatry.

"But when the Pharisees heard it they said, "It is only by Be-el'zebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." (Mat 12:24). The Jews were still believing in false gods (even if not worshipping them), since to acknowledge Baal would be therefore to give credit to a false god.

"Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick (Moon struck)". (Mat 17:25). Again even if the Jews did not worship the moon they were acknowledging it as the cause of the boys epilepcy.

"Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. " (Acts 17:18)

Paul had went to Athens and saw that the whole city was given to idolatry and therefore disputed in the synagogue with the Jews there. When Paul had gone out into the city some said that "He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection." Certain men said that Paul was preaching "strange" or "new" "gods" ("demons" which are idols). So the people thought that "Jesus" and "the resurrection" were new demons or idols that were being explained to them. If you read the rest of the chapter, you will see how Paul goes on to teach the truth to these people, and in v. 22 he says, "Ye are too superstitious" (literally: devoted to demon worship) and he explains how God is not present in their demons, or idols. Remember that God is the only source of power. If He is not in demons, then demons do not have any power because there is no other source of power in this universe - they do not exist.

[Lisa Robinson]

John, let's be clear on one thing. Your position concerning the existence of satan and demons has been established. However, neither that position nor your comment is relevant to the discussion topic. That said, please do not hijack this thread with a regurgitation of your position on demons. If you wish to contribute to the discussion, please do so with relevant topics. Thanks.

[John Roberts]

Your topic says: "Israel and Idolatry: What is the NT Equivelent?".

The equivelent is IDOLS (idolaty) or demons which are the same thing.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul explains why Christians should have nothing to do with idol worship or believing in such things. In Bible times people believed demons to be little gods who could be worshipped to stop problems coming into their lives. They therefore made models of demons, which were the same as idols, and worshipped them. This explains why Paul uses the words "demon" and "idol" interchangeably in his letter:-

"The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with demons...if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake..." (1 Cor.10:20,28). So idols and demons are effectively the same. Notice how Paul says they sacrificed "to demons (idols) and not to God" - the demons were not God, and as there is only one God, it follows that demons have no real power at all, they are not gods. The point is really driven home in 1 Cor.8:4:-

"As concerning ...those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol (equivalent to a demon) is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one". An idol, or a demon, has no existence at all. There is only one true God, or power, in the world. Paul goes on (vs.5,6):-

"For though there be that are called gods...(as there be gods many and lords many, But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things (both good and bad).

The O.T. says the same thing, that demons are idols or false gods.

"They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the harlot in their doings." (Psa 106)

Demons are just another name for idols. Their worship of demons is described by God as worshipping their "own works...their own inventions" because their belief in demons was a result of human imagination; the idols they created were their "own works". So those who believe in demons today are believing in things which have been imagined by men, the creation of men, rather than what God has taught us.

Deuteronomy 32:15-24 describes just how angry God gets when His people believe in demons: Israel "lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they Him to anger. They sacrificed unto demons, not to God; to gods whom they knew not... whom your fathers feared not...And He (God) said, I will hide My face from them...for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked Me to anger with their vanities...I will heap mischiefs upon them"

So God describes demons as the same as idols, abominations, and vanities - things which are vain to believe in, which have no existence. Believing in demons shows a lack of faith in God. It is not easy to have faith that God provides everything, both good and bad, in life. It is easier to think that the bad things come from someone else, because once we say they come from God, then we need to have faith that God will take them away or that they are going to be beneficial to us ultimately.

[Lisa Robinson]

John, since you took the time to type out such a lengthy response, I will be fair and not delete it. Please note the clarification provided in the OP and stick to the subject. The subject is the believer in Christ. Any further responses addressing demons and idols will be deleted. Thanks.

[John Roberts]

If you already know what you want the responses to be then why ask?

The Bible is truth without contradiction, take it or leave it.

Lisa Robinson said:

John, since you took the time to type out such a lengthy response, I will be fair and not delete it. Please note the clarification provided in the OP and stick to the subject. The subject is the believer in Christ. Any further responses addressing demons and idols will be deleted. Thanks.

[Lisa Robinson]

Not sure why the 'reply this button' is not working.

John, I DO NOT know what the response is. That is why I am asking the question to see what others have to say. But I do know that I have asked the question with respect to the believer in Christ and do not appreciate your hijacking this thread with the topic of demons. It is irrelevant to the discussion.

[Derek]

The spirit of idolatry and spiritual adultery is the same in both Testaments. Although it would seem the realm of thoughts are elevated to idolatry as well (Colossians 3:5).

God's moral law does not change. :)

[John Roberts]

You want to see what others have to say as long as they are in agreement with you is that it?

I am not hijacking your thread, I simply responded to the question you asked. If you disagree with my understanding of the certain aspect of idolatry (the first commandment) I addressed then Ok we are in disagreement. Spiritual adultery is believing that there is any other power other then God. So, giving power to demons (idols) is spiritual adultery of which Christians are to aviod.

Lisa Robinson said:

Not sure why the 'reply this button' is not working.

John, I DO NOT know what the response is. That is why I am asking the question to see what others have to say. But I do know that I have asked the question with respect to the believer in Christ and do not appreciate your hijacking this thread with the topic of demons. It is irrelevant to the discussion.