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We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry
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.
341 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2008
183 people are currently reading
1,789 people want to read
About the author
Gregory K. Beale
35 books192 followersG. K. Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the coeditor of the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament and the author of numerous books, including A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 20, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. Beale's thesis was extremely CLEAR and well-presented: what we revere is what we resemble, either for ruin or restoration. If we worship idols, we become vain like them (having eyes but not seeing, ears but not hearing) and are destroyed by them. If we worship the true God, we become like him, reflecting his glory to the world around us.
One thing that saddened me was that critical biblical "scholarship" has gotten to the point that Beale often had to prove that two verses within the same literary context were connected to each other. In other words, the liberal academia has so torn apart the unity of the Scripture that a single passage (say, a paragraph or a chapter) can only be read as a redaction (edited unit) of totally independent sayings. So, if you read my review in this manner, you would have to spend pages and pages arguing in favor of reading this very sentence in light of the earlier sentence that begins "one thing that saddened me...."
However, even within this deplorable situation, Beale does a laudable job articulating and defending his points.
This book uses a highly technical analysis of Hebrew and Greek (mostly Greek, as he primarily uses the Septuagint version of OT texts), but the committed reader would still profit greatly without knowledge of these languages.
Also, although Beale is a skilled theologian, he is rather weak on applying his theology to the reader. This topic would produce an incredible amount of value to the Christian community, but Beale stops short of applying his exegesis and theology. His final chapter contains an attempt to apply the material to the modern generation, but it still reads like a theological paper. If not for this weakness, I would have given the book 5 stars.
Much meditation on the topic would profit the Christian community: the adulterer who destroys himself and his family, the people-pleaser who adapts himself to whomever he happens to be speaking with at the time, the slanderer who is revealed to be a fool when his accusations are proven false, the hoarder whose happiness is tied up in the stock market's performance. Or, the Christian who continually renews his mind after the image of Christ and who finds joy not only in the present life but in the world to come.
I am very glad to have read this book.
One thing that saddened me was that critical biblical "scholarship" has gotten to the point that Beale often had to prove that two verses within the same literary context were connected to each other. In other words, the liberal academia has so torn apart the unity of the Scripture that a single passage (say, a paragraph or a chapter) can only be read as a redaction (edited unit) of totally independent sayings. So, if you read my review in this manner, you would have to spend pages and pages arguing in favor of reading this very sentence in light of the earlier sentence that begins "one thing that saddened me...."
However, even within this deplorable situation, Beale does a laudable job articulating and defending his points.
This book uses a highly technical analysis of Hebrew and Greek (mostly Greek, as he primarily uses the Septuagint version of OT texts), but the committed reader would still profit greatly without knowledge of these languages.
Also, although Beale is a skilled theologian, he is rather weak on applying his theology to the reader. This topic would produce an incredible amount of value to the Christian community, but Beale stops short of applying his exegesis and theology. His final chapter contains an attempt to apply the material to the modern generation, but it still reads like a theological paper. If not for this weakness, I would have given the book 5 stars.
Much meditation on the topic would profit the Christian community: the adulterer who destroys himself and his family, the people-pleaser who adapts himself to whomever he happens to be speaking with at the time, the slanderer who is revealed to be a fool when his accusations are proven false, the hoarder whose happiness is tied up in the stock market's performance. Or, the Christian who continually renews his mind after the image of Christ and who finds joy not only in the present life but in the world to come.
I am very glad to have read this book.
January 10, 2009
This is world class biblical theology.
December 21, 2020
"What we revere is what we resemble, either for ruin or restoration."
Excellent.
Excellent.
June 3, 2012
At the outset, it should be noted that I love Biblical Theology. Ever since reading Jim Hamilton's "God's Glory in Salvation Through Judgement" last year, I have been attracted to how authors have explored and developed biblical themes that can sometimes remain carefully hidden with language, culture and other factors.
I heard about G.K. Beale through Hamilton's footnotes and have wanted to read something by him for some time. I own two other books but decided to go with this one first partly because of the intriguing nature of the thesis but also because it is the shortest (310 pages compared to 400 and 1100). However, it should be noted that though this was considerably more readable than his other two books, it still was highly technical and runs the high risk of boring the reader. But that honestly isn't Beale's concern.
Now to the book: in recent years there has been a lot of talk in circles I run in about the nature of idolatry in day to day life. It is not uncommon to hear a conversation from people in my church to revolve around the functional "idols" that they cling to when they things get difficult: "man, my comfort idol really displays itself here!" I think that the reason for this is an article or book that Tim Keller has written but I can't remember which off the top of my head. Anyway, with this emphasis on idols it's easy to get lost in how the idolatry passages in the Bible, which typically revolve around Israel's rebellion, have application to the day to day in the lives of Christians today. After all, the idol worship described in the OT usually revolved around worshiping cultic idols of wood, silver, or gold.
Beale's thesis is this: we become what we revere, either for ruin or restoration. He begins by looking at Isaiah 6 and the rather surprising punishment of Yahweh to unbelieving Israel: Isaiah is to speak to them in such a way as to blind their eyes and close their ears. Read alone, it seems to be a rather bizarre thing that Yahweh would be speaking to his people in such a fashion, but Beale goes on to show how the punishment for idolatry given by Yahweh is pretty ironic: he hardens their hearts and makes them more and more blinded. Like the worthlessness of idols that do not understand, see, or know, so it is with the idolater. So in a sense, the idolater "becomes" what he worships.
Beale then goes on to explore this thesis throughout the rest of the prophetic literature, Exodus, gospels, epistles and Revelation. The most helpful of all of these to me was the chapter on the gospels. Beale looks at how though there were no idols in the classical sense amongst Israel during Jesus' coming, they made an idol out of tradition. He then goes to explore how the language used by Jesus in response to the Jews was the same that Isaiah used against the Jews! This also accounts and makes sense of the "idolatrous generation" language, any language that talks about "seeing but not understanding", and comments about how the Jews god is "their belly" (i.e. instituting cleansing rituals for their food that ultimately become idolatrous because their hope lies in said rituals).
Beale's thesis also was spot on with the apostle Paul's comments in Romans 1 about "God giving them up to their desires". I don't want to go into detail here, but if you want to hear more, ask me or buy the book. Lastly, Beale closes out with pastoral thoughts on the nature of idolatry in day to day life.
To conclude, this book was really great. Not because it had me on the edge of my seat in suspense, but because of its thorough examination of the Bible's use of the strong language against idolatry. This book was difficult to read at times because of its technicality but it is usually in those books that the most treasure is reaped. The joy of reading these books is how they help to understand the Bible more thoroughly and with a greater Biblical understanding of idolatry, one has more tools to fight that which is worthless. I am more equipped as a result.
I heard about G.K. Beale through Hamilton's footnotes and have wanted to read something by him for some time. I own two other books but decided to go with this one first partly because of the intriguing nature of the thesis but also because it is the shortest (310 pages compared to 400 and 1100). However, it should be noted that though this was considerably more readable than his other two books, it still was highly technical and runs the high risk of boring the reader. But that honestly isn't Beale's concern.
Now to the book: in recent years there has been a lot of talk in circles I run in about the nature of idolatry in day to day life. It is not uncommon to hear a conversation from people in my church to revolve around the functional "idols" that they cling to when they things get difficult: "man, my comfort idol really displays itself here!" I think that the reason for this is an article or book that Tim Keller has written but I can't remember which off the top of my head. Anyway, with this emphasis on idols it's easy to get lost in how the idolatry passages in the Bible, which typically revolve around Israel's rebellion, have application to the day to day in the lives of Christians today. After all, the idol worship described in the OT usually revolved around worshiping cultic idols of wood, silver, or gold.
Beale's thesis is this: we become what we revere, either for ruin or restoration. He begins by looking at Isaiah 6 and the rather surprising punishment of Yahweh to unbelieving Israel: Isaiah is to speak to them in such a way as to blind their eyes and close their ears. Read alone, it seems to be a rather bizarre thing that Yahweh would be speaking to his people in such a fashion, but Beale goes on to show how the punishment for idolatry given by Yahweh is pretty ironic: he hardens their hearts and makes them more and more blinded. Like the worthlessness of idols that do not understand, see, or know, so it is with the idolater. So in a sense, the idolater "becomes" what he worships.
Beale then goes on to explore this thesis throughout the rest of the prophetic literature, Exodus, gospels, epistles and Revelation. The most helpful of all of these to me was the chapter on the gospels. Beale looks at how though there were no idols in the classical sense amongst Israel during Jesus' coming, they made an idol out of tradition. He then goes to explore how the language used by Jesus in response to the Jews was the same that Isaiah used against the Jews! This also accounts and makes sense of the "idolatrous generation" language, any language that talks about "seeing but not understanding", and comments about how the Jews god is "their belly" (i.e. instituting cleansing rituals for their food that ultimately become idolatrous because their hope lies in said rituals).
Beale's thesis also was spot on with the apostle Paul's comments in Romans 1 about "God giving them up to their desires". I don't want to go into detail here, but if you want to hear more, ask me or buy the book. Lastly, Beale closes out with pastoral thoughts on the nature of idolatry in day to day life.
To conclude, this book was really great. Not because it had me on the edge of my seat in suspense, but because of its thorough examination of the Bible's use of the strong language against idolatry. This book was difficult to read at times because of its technicality but it is usually in those books that the most treasure is reaped. The joy of reading these books is how they help to understand the Bible more thoroughly and with a greater Biblical understanding of idolatry, one has more tools to fight that which is worthless. I am more equipped as a result.
Want to read
August 14, 2018Doug Wilson puts this in his top 5 (see Plodcast, Episode #3) and quotes it positively in Why Ministers Must Be Men (p. 45). Review by Tony Reinke.
For an explanation of the title, see p. 12: "The title We Become What We Worship is a metaphor, which is an implied simile, omitting the word like between We Become and What We Worship. The thesis of the book is not that people become the idols they worship or become the God they worship, but they become like the idols or like God. The point of figuratively omitting the word like is to emphasize that the worshipper reflects some of the important qualities or attributes of the object of worship."
The theme of the book is this: "We resemble what we revere, either for ruin or for restoration" (pp. 11, 16, etc.).
For an explanation of the title, see p. 12: "The title We Become What We Worship is a metaphor, which is an implied simile, omitting the word like between We Become and What We Worship. The thesis of the book is not that people become the idols they worship or become the God they worship, but they become like the idols or like God. The point of figuratively omitting the word like is to emphasize that the worshipper reflects some of the important qualities or attributes of the object of worship."
The theme of the book is this: "We resemble what we revere, either for ruin or for restoration" (pp. 11, 16, etc.).
March 12, 2017
This book was incredible. Beale can be a little difficult to read, but only on account of his thoroughness. He argues his case very well. Beware, however, for this isn't truly "A Biblical Theology of Idolatry" as the subtitle would lead you to believe, rather, it's a "A Biblical Theology of Idolatry's Effect." In other words, Beale, isn't primarily concerned with drawing out a biblical-theological definition of idolatry and its origin (or even its appeal), rather, he's primarily concerned with what idolatry *does*. So even though it didn't scratch my precise itch, it proved to be well-worth the time nonetheless. A very important book.
November 20, 2019
Great book. Although, I suffered from a severe case of example-exhaustion (partly why it took so long for me to get through). This is probably due to the fact that I went into this having already swallowed the premise, and didn't need to be convinced.
October 5, 2022
Top notch Biblical scholarship. Though laborious and tedious at times, and strained and thin at others, overall Beal’s thesis is sound, strong, and substantial in its impact.
December 14, 2018
An excellent, biblically saturated study of idolatry, from Genesis to Revelation. His premise is this: what you revere you resemble, either for ruin or for restoration. Highly recommended.
November 19, 2024
Positives:
This book is a masterful work of biblical theology with a very clear thesis “what you revere is what you resemble, either to ruin or restoration”
Today, I read the preface of another book that I think will be helpful in my critique,
“A book about a great subject should be either very long or very short, long enough enough to cover the subject adequately or short enough to permit the presentation of the main line of argument without cluttering detail.”
While a clear thesis and thorough argumentation, this book is inefficiently exhaustive. What I mean is that Beele spends an extraordinary amount of effort making many leaps to make his case, which I think is most clearly seen in his overuse of rabbinic traditions and extra biblical texts to bridge the Old and New Testament to better serve his argument. Moreover, his survey of the Pauline epistles was far too long and repetitive.
Another critique I have of this book is its lack of application even though the last chapter is dedicating to applying the argument. Instead of application, it seems Beele is more concerned with defending his findings, which is fine, but out of place for the purposes goal or the final chapter.
I do not regret reading this book, it was delightful to watch so a masterful theologian make such eye opening connections, even if some of them are (in my own option), stretched to far.
This book is a masterful work of biblical theology with a very clear thesis “what you revere is what you resemble, either to ruin or restoration”
Today, I read the preface of another book that I think will be helpful in my critique,
“A book about a great subject should be either very long or very short, long enough enough to cover the subject adequately or short enough to permit the presentation of the main line of argument without cluttering detail.”
While a clear thesis and thorough argumentation, this book is inefficiently exhaustive. What I mean is that Beele spends an extraordinary amount of effort making many leaps to make his case, which I think is most clearly seen in his overuse of rabbinic traditions and extra biblical texts to bridge the Old and New Testament to better serve his argument. Moreover, his survey of the Pauline epistles was far too long and repetitive.
Another critique I have of this book is its lack of application even though the last chapter is dedicating to applying the argument. Instead of application, it seems Beele is more concerned with defending his findings, which is fine, but out of place for the purposes goal or the final chapter.
I do not regret reading this book, it was delightful to watch so a masterful theologian make such eye opening connections, even if some of them are (in my own option), stretched to far.
May 25, 2024
“The principle is this: What we revere, we resemble, either for ruin or restoration. To commit ourselves to some part of the creation more than to the Creator is idolatry. And when we worship something in creation, we become like it, as spiritually lifeless and insensitive to God as a piece of wood, rock, or stone. We become spiritually blind, deaf, and dumb even though we have physical eyes and ears. If we commit something that does not have God’s spirit, to that degree we will be lacking the Spirit. We will be like ancient Israel.”
A book that stays true to its thesis. All of scripture warns us that we are worshipful beings and that we must be careful to inventory what we functionally worship lest we find ourselves worshipping something that rusts, erodes, collects dust, and fades.
A book that stays true to its thesis. All of scripture warns us that we are worshipful beings and that we must be careful to inventory what we functionally worship lest we find ourselves worshipping something that rusts, erodes, collects dust, and fades.
October 8, 2024
I am amazed at what i just listened to. I heard this book would change my life before opening it, and yes, it’s done just that. Easily understandable, filled with Scripture, idolatry is all through the books of the Bible. My favorite part was hearing the Greek language, it is beautiful! Everything makes sense! Final chapter hits you right in the heart, and then he ends with a prayer. AMEN! 😭
September 10, 2020
This is a tremendously insightful book that fleshes out an important theme in Scripture. G.K. Beale’s thesis is simple and memorable, in part thanks to its alliterated presentation: “What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or restoration” (p.18) He takes the reader through the whole Bible, demonstrating that idolatry passages regularly depict idol worshipers as taking on the characteristics of the objects of their worship. For example, the idols worshipped in Ps. 115 have eyes and hears, but cannot see and hear. Those who worship these idols become the same way - spiritually blind and deaf. Beale’s key text is Is. 6, which at first glance does not appear to be about idolatry. But Isaiah is commanded, "Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” This kind of language usually describes idol worshipers who become like their idols. In this passage, God is sending Isaiah to pronounce judgment on the people for their idolatry by making them just like the idols they worship.
Beale reaches conclusions like the one above by using a dual intertextual approach to hermeneutics, in which literary connections between passages interact with one another in a reciprocal way. That is, earlier texts inform our understanding of later texts, but later texts also unpack the fuller meaning of earlier texts. This is a controversial approach and there are risks involved, especially in attempting to firmly establish the presence of a literary link or allusion between two texts. But Beale treads carefully, and he painstakingly lays out his evidence behind connections. At times these arguments were difficult to wade through, but it was necessary in order to prove the validity of the connections. Even if he went too far in some places (and I’m not sure that he did), the overall weight of his arguments cannot be ignored. His thesis is airtight.
Not only was this study fascinating from a biblical theological perspective, it carries obvious and immediate applications to the Christian life. The thesis itself is inherently preachable. Although application is not the main thrust of the book, Beale offers some application in the concluding chapter. Having identified that OT Israel’s idolatry involved worship of graven images, and that NT Jewish idolatry involved tradition, he suggests some forms of idolatry that plague us today. For instance many of us in modern times are far too devoted to consumption of media. Not only does this keep us from devotion to God, but it changes us as we begin to think in the same way as the voices we hear in media. To the contrary, God’s design is for his people to worship him, and in doing so, to become like him, reflecting his glory so it can bee seen by others. But there is a dilemma. In our worship of blind idols, we become spiritually blind, and therefore unable to return to him and reflect his glory. Only God can remove our spiritual blindness. Just as men form idols that perpetuate spiritual lifelessness, God can re-form us into his perfect image. This is the gospel!
This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. It’s keen insights will stay with me for a long time, and I will never see passages like Isaiah 6 and Ex. 32-34 in quite the same way again.
Beale reaches conclusions like the one above by using a dual intertextual approach to hermeneutics, in which literary connections between passages interact with one another in a reciprocal way. That is, earlier texts inform our understanding of later texts, but later texts also unpack the fuller meaning of earlier texts. This is a controversial approach and there are risks involved, especially in attempting to firmly establish the presence of a literary link or allusion between two texts. But Beale treads carefully, and he painstakingly lays out his evidence behind connections. At times these arguments were difficult to wade through, but it was necessary in order to prove the validity of the connections. Even if he went too far in some places (and I’m not sure that he did), the overall weight of his arguments cannot be ignored. His thesis is airtight.
Not only was this study fascinating from a biblical theological perspective, it carries obvious and immediate applications to the Christian life. The thesis itself is inherently preachable. Although application is not the main thrust of the book, Beale offers some application in the concluding chapter. Having identified that OT Israel’s idolatry involved worship of graven images, and that NT Jewish idolatry involved tradition, he suggests some forms of idolatry that plague us today. For instance many of us in modern times are far too devoted to consumption of media. Not only does this keep us from devotion to God, but it changes us as we begin to think in the same way as the voices we hear in media. To the contrary, God’s design is for his people to worship him, and in doing so, to become like him, reflecting his glory so it can bee seen by others. But there is a dilemma. In our worship of blind idols, we become spiritually blind, and therefore unable to return to him and reflect his glory. Only God can remove our spiritual blindness. Just as men form idols that perpetuate spiritual lifelessness, God can re-form us into his perfect image. This is the gospel!
This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. It’s keen insights will stay with me for a long time, and I will never see passages like Isaiah 6 and Ex. 32-34 in quite the same way again.
April 27, 2020
Sometimes Jesus made statements that sound just plain crazy.
Once he was explaining why he taught in parables. The reason he gives in Mark 4:12 is this—so that, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” In quoting from Isaiah 6, Jesus makes it sound like he doesn’t want people to repent, to turn to God, to be saved. What in the world could he possibly be talking about?
Greg Beale’s We Become What We Worship helps us untangle this mess while walking us through an important theme that spans both Testaments. The book of Isaiah condemns Israel for its idolatry, for worshiping statues that can’t speak or hear. Israel’s punishment? She was sentenced to become like the idols she worshiped—deaf and blind.
That theme is found also in Exodus, the Psalms, the Gospels, the writings of Paul and elsewhere. As Beale often summarizes in his book, we become like what we worship whether for ruin or renewal.
His analysis of the golden calf episode in Exodus is especially instructive. The rebellious people were described as being like a stubborn, “stiff-necked” heifer. The use of “stiff-necked” in Deuteronomy, Hosea and elsewhere is particularly connected with idolatry, not just general disobedience. They turned into what they worshiped.
Yet our ruined condition need not be permanent. Isaiah also tells us this condition will be reversed. A day is coming when “the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see” (Is 29:18). This theme is echoed through the New Testament as well. Yes, the punishment is intentional but not eternal. Its purpose is to get the attention of sinners so they do turn to God.
The whole of Isaiah is the context of Jesus’ statement about the people experiencing the same punishment of being blind and deaf that their ancestors suffered for their idolatry. The blindness caused by using parables was intended likewise to be temporary, not perpetual.
Beale’s book makes the case that God created us essentially to be image bearers. If we do not reflect God, then we will inevitably reflect something else in creation (305).
What might God’s people today be worshiping besides the true God? To find out, we can ask what we (individually or corporately) are like today. Are we focused on methods or message, on tradition or truth, on character or success, on winning or being winsome, on justice for the world or justice for me? What we give priority to matters. We’re choosing who we will be today and tomorrow.
Once he was explaining why he taught in parables. The reason he gives in Mark 4:12 is this—so that, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” In quoting from Isaiah 6, Jesus makes it sound like he doesn’t want people to repent, to turn to God, to be saved. What in the world could he possibly be talking about?
Greg Beale’s We Become What We Worship helps us untangle this mess while walking us through an important theme that spans both Testaments. The book of Isaiah condemns Israel for its idolatry, for worshiping statues that can’t speak or hear. Israel’s punishment? She was sentenced to become like the idols she worshiped—deaf and blind.
That theme is found also in Exodus, the Psalms, the Gospels, the writings of Paul and elsewhere. As Beale often summarizes in his book, we become like what we worship whether for ruin or renewal.
His analysis of the golden calf episode in Exodus is especially instructive. The rebellious people were described as being like a stubborn, “stiff-necked” heifer. The use of “stiff-necked” in Deuteronomy, Hosea and elsewhere is particularly connected with idolatry, not just general disobedience. They turned into what they worshiped.
Yet our ruined condition need not be permanent. Isaiah also tells us this condition will be reversed. A day is coming when “the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see” (Is 29:18). This theme is echoed through the New Testament as well. Yes, the punishment is intentional but not eternal. Its purpose is to get the attention of sinners so they do turn to God.
The whole of Isaiah is the context of Jesus’ statement about the people experiencing the same punishment of being blind and deaf that their ancestors suffered for their idolatry. The blindness caused by using parables was intended likewise to be temporary, not perpetual.
Beale’s book makes the case that God created us essentially to be image bearers. If we do not reflect God, then we will inevitably reflect something else in creation (305).
What might God’s people today be worshiping besides the true God? To find out, we can ask what we (individually or corporately) are like today. Are we focused on methods or message, on tradition or truth, on character or success, on winning or being winsome, on justice for the world or justice for me? What we give priority to matters. We’re choosing who we will be today and tomorrow.
January 14, 2019
Tout simplement excellent ! GK Beale nous emmène patiemment à travers son étude du thème de l'idolâtrie dans la révélation biblique. Avec une grande humilité il invite le lecteur à examiner sa démonstration, et on se prête au jeu.
D'abord sceptique quant à certains liens intertextuels que l'auteur cherche à mettre en évidence pour démontrer sa thèse, ayant parfois l'impression que l'auteur tend à faire du texte biblique un prétexte, je me suis laissé convaincre au fil de l'avancé de ma lecture.
Pour moi le chapitre incontournable, la cerise sur le gâteau, celui qui vient ficeler l'ensemble et donner à la thèse du livre toute sa pertinence, est celui traitant de l'idolâtrie dans l'apocalypse.
L'étude est longue, parfois fastidieuse, mais donne tout son sens et sa pertinence au thème de l'idolâtrie, même dans notre société sécularisée. En prime, pour tout ceux qui comme moi, s'intéressent à l'exégèse biblique, il y a beaucoup à apprendre de l'auteur à ce sujet (notamment en ce qui concerne l'intertextualité).
J'en retiens principalement le besoin quotidien de la grâce de Dieu et de sa puissance dans ma vie, pour me laisser transformer à son image. Quelle joie de pouvoir à nouveau le réaliser, mais quel avertissement aussi à veiller à ne pas se laisser tromper par les idoles.
J'en recommande vivement la lecture !
D'abord sceptique quant à certains liens intertextuels que l'auteur cherche à mettre en évidence pour démontrer sa thèse, ayant parfois l'impression que l'auteur tend à faire du texte biblique un prétexte, je me suis laissé convaincre au fil de l'avancé de ma lecture.
Pour moi le chapitre incontournable, la cerise sur le gâteau, celui qui vient ficeler l'ensemble et donner à la thèse du livre toute sa pertinence, est celui traitant de l'idolâtrie dans l'apocalypse.
L'étude est longue, parfois fastidieuse, mais donne tout son sens et sa pertinence au thème de l'idolâtrie, même dans notre société sécularisée. En prime, pour tout ceux qui comme moi, s'intéressent à l'exégèse biblique, il y a beaucoup à apprendre de l'auteur à ce sujet (notamment en ce qui concerne l'intertextualité).
J'en retiens principalement le besoin quotidien de la grâce de Dieu et de sa puissance dans ma vie, pour me laisser transformer à son image. Quelle joie de pouvoir à nouveau le réaliser, mais quel avertissement aussi à veiller à ne pas se laisser tromper par les idoles.
J'en recommande vivement la lecture !
February 21, 2023
A very good discussion on idolatry and the image of God. Especially his discussion on how idolatry damages our image of God was very helpful. I also thought the distinction that idolatry is when we make ourselves the imager and create something in our image to worship, it’s a total subversion of creation order.
As with all of Beale’s writings, he tends to say too much and so a lot of what he ends up writing is unnecessary. His book on Mystery was probably the worst offender of this, but this book didn’t suffer too much from it. His chapter on Paul’s letters and the last two chapters were the best imo.
As with all of Beale’s writings, he tends to say too much and so a lot of what he ends up writing is unnecessary. His book on Mystery was probably the worst offender of this, but this book didn’t suffer too much from it. His chapter on Paul’s letters and the last two chapters were the best imo.
August 22, 2023
Beale’s thesis (reflected in the title) is intriguing. I was interested in his analysis of Isa 6 as related to idolatry and his exposition of the golden calf incident in Exodus 32. But a lot of his connections (seeking idolatry in the gospels, connections to Acts, and even Revelation) seemed strained to me. I’m really trying to do more thinking about intertextuality, but I can’t fight the feeling that not every passage is related to every other passage.
That said, Beale’s final chapter (especially his thoughts on the idolatry of the self) was really powerful. There is a tremendous sermon (series?) hidden inside this book.
That said, Beale’s final chapter (especially his thoughts on the idolatry of the self) was really powerful. There is a tremendous sermon (series?) hidden inside this book.
December 16, 2021
Very good.
Mr. Beale aims to prove that we become LIKE what we worship through the scriptures. From Adam to Revelation he takes you through numerous books and passages revealing this truth.
We all worship someone or something. Whatever it is we worship, we become more like. A good book to meditate on and search out our own hearts.
You might say, “No, not me. I don’t worship anything” or “Well of course I worship God. I am a Christian.” But to those who worship idols, they have neither eyes to see or ears to hear. Only God can make the eyes see and the ears hear.
Mr. Beale aims to prove that we become LIKE what we worship through the scriptures. From Adam to Revelation he takes you through numerous books and passages revealing this truth.
We all worship someone or something. Whatever it is we worship, we become more like. A good book to meditate on and search out our own hearts.
You might say, “No, not me. I don’t worship anything” or “Well of course I worship God. I am a Christian.” But to those who worship idols, they have neither eyes to see or ears to hear. Only God can make the eyes see and the ears hear.
December 26, 2019
It’s been said before that theology is simply the ministry of reality - Beale does a masterful job of putting this on display to show the reader the true reality of
the theological concept of idolatry, and his thesis that we become what we worship, either for ruin or restoration. Through sound and thorough exegesis, Beale draws brilliant connections (some obvious and some subtle and nuanced) between multiple scripture passages, showing the beauty and unity of biblical teaching. This is high quality intertextual biblical theology. One cannot help but walk away from this book with a fuller understanding of idolatry, an even higher view of the scriptures, and a strong desire to mortify the idolatry they may be ‘anesthetized’ to.
the theological concept of idolatry, and his thesis that we become what we worship, either for ruin or restoration. Through sound and thorough exegesis, Beale draws brilliant connections (some obvious and some subtle and nuanced) between multiple scripture passages, showing the beauty and unity of biblical teaching. This is high quality intertextual biblical theology. One cannot help but walk away from this book with a fuller understanding of idolatry, an even higher view of the scriptures, and a strong desire to mortify the idolatry they may be ‘anesthetized’ to.
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August 29, 2018Idolatria é tudo aquilo que o coração se apega para obter segurança...
Uma revelação e tanto!
Uma revelação e tanto!
December 19, 2024
When I grow up, I want to write a book like this. Unreal. Brimming with well argued connections that I'd never made before. Biblical theology at its finest. Nga Mihi Matua Beale.
November 28, 2020
Excellent study of Isaiah 6 and the theology of idolatry. Another solid work by Beale.
November 15, 2023
The main thesis of this book is, “What we revere we resemble, either for ruin or restoration.” The author brings out the issue of idol worship in certain passages of Scripture that I hadn’t noticed before, and I found that to be very interesting. And he describes how what we worship, we resemble. One example he uses is the golden calf episode in Exodus, and how the people who worshipped the calf resembled it. They were stiff-necked, blind, deaf, etc. Much of this book was a bit hard to get through only because it was very dry and academic, but I’m glad I read it and will now be keeping my eyes out as I read the Bible for instances where idolatry is being referenced when it may not be explicitly obvious.
February 7, 2025
Deep theological discussion. I love this book because it deals the pervasive problem that each of us is facing and that is the worship of anything other than God that leads to nothing but destruction. Highly recommended.
August 15, 2012
This one is both thorough and rich; as a biblical theology should be, Beale looks long and hard at what the Bible says about idolatry and idol-worship, and especially how it is formative to our souls, how it shapes our lives and our understanding of the world around us.
Beale’s grasp of biblical theology doesn’t need my endorsement — clearly he is accomplished and skilled at both understanding and teaching the Scriptures to us. No less so in We Become What We Worship: Beale is attentive to be exhaustive, or as close as one can get, to examining every passage that contains a whiff of teaching on idolatry. Meanwhile, he is so personable and readable as he does so; the book is written in first-person, which is a departure from standard academic style in nonfiction texts, but it serves well to allow his pastoral voice to really shine through.
Someone looking only at the title, or who failed to consider the nature of a book self-described as a “biblical theology,” might believe that they would be picking up a book full of guidance on both how we are idolaters (which would be correct) AND how we might worship rightly and with God as the object of our worship (which would be, well, less correct). Beale IS instructive at points, and more directly toward the end, in a more positive construction of right worship. Nevertheless, this IS a biblical theology, and its focus is on idolatry.
I found much to take away from Beale’s book, and several good “reflection quotes” that I’ll use in my preaching. Anyone with a serious interest in studying Scripture would find this book both profitable and easy to read.
Beale’s grasp of biblical theology doesn’t need my endorsement — clearly he is accomplished and skilled at both understanding and teaching the Scriptures to us. No less so in We Become What We Worship: Beale is attentive to be exhaustive, or as close as one can get, to examining every passage that contains a whiff of teaching on idolatry. Meanwhile, he is so personable and readable as he does so; the book is written in first-person, which is a departure from standard academic style in nonfiction texts, but it serves well to allow his pastoral voice to really shine through.
Someone looking only at the title, or who failed to consider the nature of a book self-described as a “biblical theology,” might believe that they would be picking up a book full of guidance on both how we are idolaters (which would be correct) AND how we might worship rightly and with God as the object of our worship (which would be, well, less correct). Beale IS instructive at points, and more directly toward the end, in a more positive construction of right worship. Nevertheless, this IS a biblical theology, and its focus is on idolatry.
I found much to take away from Beale’s book, and several good “reflection quotes” that I’ll use in my preaching. Anyone with a serious interest in studying Scripture would find this book both profitable and easy to read.
April 3, 2019
We Become What We Worship by G. K. Beale traces idolatry that indicates that those involved in the practice come to resemble the idol they worship. He explores this concept throughout the Bible, using Isaiah 6 as the core example. His thesis is clearly defined and repeated throughout the text: “[W]hat you revere you resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” Beale is qualified to write about the subject. He is the Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois, as well as the coordinator of the school’s M. A. in Biblical Exegesis program. He is also the author of a number of commentaries and the monographs, 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 about temple theology as well as the text being reviewed. Due to the extensive footnotes and bibliography, it seems his target audience is scholars, academics, seminary students, and serious laymen.
A brief summary and critique follow.
Summary
Beale begins his book with a section providing a list of the technical abbreviations of sources appearing in the book. Next come the preface and a Chapter One introduction providing definitions of key terms such as idolatry, stating his purpose for writing the book, and providing his hermeneutical approach.
Chapter Two explains the thesis using Isaiah 6 as the springboard Bible chapter dealing with the topic. Both the Bible and book chapter describes idolatry. In addition, this chapter claims that those worshipping idols become like their idols in attitude and, to a certain degree, characteristics.
Chapters Three, Four, and Five explore other Old Testament evidence that people become like the idols they worship. Beale describes the origins of idolatry in this Testament. He also describes the natural outgrowth of Old Testament law as it pertains to the subject in the form of Judaism.
Chapters Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine shift to the New Testament in order to provide evidence for Beale’s thesis. He focuses upon the gospel accounts, the book of Acts and Revelation, and the Pauline Epistles. Using both Testaments indicates that idolatry and its effect of its practitioners taking on the characteristics of the idol(s) is a temptation for the people of God at all times.
Chapter Ten provides biblical support for the cessation of reflecting a negative image based upon idols in the physical realm or of the heart. Beale claims that all people reflect their beliefs and interests in some manner, so this cessation does not prevent one from reflecting an image. Instead, he argues that the proper procedure is to transition from reflecting idol-worship to reflecting a proper image of God.
Chapter Eleven is the conclusion. Herein, Beale repeats an apology for the book, reiterating the thesis and need for the subject to be addressed by the church at large. Here, he also provides what might be deemed an application section for the individual Christian as well as the corporate church.
The back matter includes a bibliography, author index, an ancient sources index, and a scripture index. These are useful for readers in the obvious ways of providing a method for locating information within the text. The scripture index is particularly helpful in religious texts, and this book benefits from its presence.
Critique
Beale succeeds in his goal of demonstrating his thesis that people become like the thing(s) they worship. The section about Isaiah 6 is the flagship scriptural evidence of this and serves as a foundation for the subject itself as well as in other biblical passages that refer back to it. This chapter of the Bible uses expressions about both Israel and her contemporary idols such as having eyes but being blind (Isaiah 6:9-10) and being burnt like a tree (Isaiah 6:13). These references certainly apply to the physical idols in question, but they can and should be understood to provide metaphorical similarity in that the people are blind due to their blind adherence to idols and will eventually be destroyed as an idolatrous stump of a tree. The lifeless and idolatrous nation of Israel will be judged in like manner as their creations by the true God who demands pure worship from His people.
In contrast, the prophet Isaiah is eager to revere the Lord in a proper manner. This will lead to the restoration of the idolatrous/adulterous nation. He knows the route of idolatry will lead to ruin for his people, and he strongly and faithfully urges them to the biblically-ordained methods of worship God has prescribed.
Exodus 32, in its golden calf (bull) episode provides another biblical example supporting Beale’s thesis. As the other references to the Mount Sinai event wherein the Israelites are described as rebellious cattle in Psalm 106:20; II Kings 17; Hosea 4:7; and Jeremiah 2:5, 11 indicate, people become as “…spiritually wayward, shameful, and profitless as the image…represented by the calf idols they revered.”
Conclusion
Beale provides sufficient evidence for his thesis that idolators become like the idols they worship. These people might as well be as blind, deaf, and dumb as their human-created images. Further, they will finally fall into decay and ruin by time and practice. The risk of destruction in judgment by the Lord who has provided a clear biblical model of proper worship throughout both Testaments is very real to these foolish men.
Moreover, Beale has supplied an application section that provides hope for those who recognize themselves as idolators in accords with his book. This application is pertinent to the church individually and corporately.
I give this book 5 of 5 stars. Beale’s writing style is approachable, and the book is beautifully designed and laid out from the textured front cover to the end. It is somewhat narrowly focused on one particular aspect of idolatry, so this may limit its appeal to the average layman. However, I still recommend it even to the casual reader as Christians should always be learning more about their Lord, and idolatry is (sadly) a fundamental problem in the world, making the topic pertinent to most readers.
May 18, 2011
Beale, it goes without saying, is an amazing Biblical theologian. Here he argues that the Biblical text continually warns us that a person will become like the object they worship (e.g., Israel worshipped 'deaf' and 'dumb' idols and therefore eventually became 'deaf' and 'dumb' to the Word of the living God).
Beale's insights are very helpful and the book is an enjoyable read.
My only criticism is this: Beale's work depends much on the intertextual connections (i.e., allusions) he believes to be present in the Scripture. While there is no doubt that there are many allusions throughout the Scriptures that point to Beale's thesis, Beale frequently cites some of the most subtle and seemingly opaque supposed intertextual connections in support of his proposal.
I believe Beale's thesis is correct and overall I think he does an amazing job of supporting it in this work. In the end, however, there are still several instances in which Beale 'stretches' some connections between texts in order to support his proposal. (Beale himself says he is taking a 'maximal' approach to intertextual allusions in this work, and that is clearly evident). I offer this criticism in humility, however, as I am no great Biblical theologian and I am certainly no G.K. Beale. ;)
Beale's insights are very helpful and the book is an enjoyable read.
My only criticism is this: Beale's work depends much on the intertextual connections (i.e., allusions) he believes to be present in the Scripture. While there is no doubt that there are many allusions throughout the Scriptures that point to Beale's thesis, Beale frequently cites some of the most subtle and seemingly opaque supposed intertextual connections in support of his proposal.
I believe Beale's thesis is correct and overall I think he does an amazing job of supporting it in this work. In the end, however, there are still several instances in which Beale 'stretches' some connections between texts in order to support his proposal. (Beale himself says he is taking a 'maximal' approach to intertextual allusions in this work, and that is clearly evident). I offer this criticism in humility, however, as I am no great Biblical theologian and I am certainly no G.K. Beale. ;)
January 10, 2009
Greg Beale is one of my favorite biblical theologians. This particular study has value for the layman and the scholar. At times, Beale's hermeneutic of intertextuality is difficult for the reader who does not enjoy scholarly argumentation, but intermingled throughout are plenty of biblical resources and comment that is not strictly scholastic. Beale's thesis that what one reveres one resembles for ruin or restoration is biblically and theologically proven in this book. He has opened up aspects of idolatry that I had not understood before. Beale has helped me understand the Scriptures more, God more, and my wayward heart more. Idolatry is one of the deepest of human problems, and therefore this book is important.
March 29, 2017
I don't use the stars the way Goodreads wants me to; four stars doesn't mean "I really liked it" as it suggests. It means I thought it had an insightful thesis. But it was not very well written stylistically. Nor was it very interesting. Perhaps it would not have worked this way, but I would have preferred less fingernails-in-the-grout exegesis and more principial stuff with biblical and anecdotal support. All of his faint intertextuality and connecting of the dots made his thesis (which I think is strong based on a few Scripture passages) seem weak. He was walking out on a lot of skinny branches, making me forget about all the thick ones.
January 10, 2012
I found this book to be a thorough examination of the theme we become what we worship whether for ruin or restoration throughout scripture. Beale does an excellent job of using passages of scripture to demonstrate the claim that throughout the Bible man becomes like the object of his worship either for ruin or restoration. It provided new viewpoints on some classic passages concerning the idolatry of Israel and I found it an enjoyable read. Some sections seemed to drag as Beale continued to make his points but overall the book was pretty readable while being thorough.
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