01-12-2018, 07:37 AM
Idolatry is not the act, but what's in your heart. The implication of the term "idolatry" is divided loyalty. There is no condemnation of genuine loyalty to one thing or another; it's called idolatry when you belong (under covenant) to one deity and show loyalty to a competitor.
The problem with religious icons is how easily the average worshiper gets lost. A genuine mystic has no problem with them. By extension, the issue then becomes one of leading others astray. This is what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 8 when he said an idol is nothing, really. But we are often in the company of fellow believers who haven't progressed far enough to handle it like that. So in private worship, God knows your heart and it's between you and Him. In more public worship, we have to consider the influence of our private choices. You can make idolatry out of anything or nothing, as you suggest.
The implication of our covenant here on this issue is: Use what works for you and your witness. We aren't facing the problems Paul did, but be prepared for folks to misunderstand.
The problem with religious icons is how easily the average worshiper gets lost. A genuine mystic has no problem with them. By extension, the issue then becomes one of leading others astray. This is what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 8 when he said an idol is nothing, really. But we are often in the company of fellow believers who haven't progressed far enough to handle it like that. So in private worship, God knows your heart and it's between you and Him. In more public worship, we have to consider the influence of our private choices. You can make idolatry out of anything or nothing, as you suggest.
The implication of our covenant here on this issue is: Use what works for you and your witness. We aren't facing the problems Paul did, but be prepared for folks to misunderstand.