We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry

by G. K. Beale

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2018

Overview

The heart of the biblical understanding of idolatry, argues Gregory Beale, is that we take on the characteristics of what we worship. Employing Isaiah 6 as his interpretive lens, Beale demonstrates that this understanding of idolatry permeates the whole canon, from Genesis to Revelation. Beale concludes with an application of the biblical notion of idolatry to the challenges of contemporary life.

Contents

Top Highlights

“What do you and I reflect? One presupposition of this book is that God has made humans to reflect him, but if they do not commit themselves to him, they will not reflect him but something else in creation. At the core of our beings we are imaging creatures. It is not possible to be neutral on this issue: we either reflect the Creator or something in creation.” (Page 16)

“Conversely, we will also discover how people are restored to the true worship of God and reflecting his likeness. Therefore, the main thesis of this book is: What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or restoration.” (Page 16)

“what you revere you resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” (Page 11)

“The principle is this: if we worship idols, we will become like the idols, and that likeness will ruin us.” (Page 46)

“Israel’s sin was essentially idol worship. What they revered, they became like, and this likeness ruined them.” (Page 36)

Product Details

• Title: We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry
• Author: G. K. Beale
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Idolatry; Idolatry › Biblical teaching; Textbooks; Worship › Biblical teaching
• ISBNs: 9780830878086, 9780830828777, 9781789740004, 0830878084, 083082877X, 1789740002
• Resource ID: LLS:WS_2647273E84CB46A992DD5325B7456465
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T04:04:43Z

About G. K. Beale

G. K. Beale (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, Illinois, and coordinator of Wheaton's M.A. in Biblical Exegesis program. His books include The Book of Revelation (New International Greek Testament Commentary), 1-2 Thessalonians (The IVP New Testament Commentary Series), The Right Doctrine from the Wrong Texts? Essays on the Use of the Old Testament in the New, and The Temple and the Church's Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God.