Idolatry in Christianity

Idolatry, in Christian theology, is "the worship of a created object" rather than the true God. The term "idol" often refers to conceptual constructs such as fame, money, nationality, ethnicity, and the ritual of attachment related to these is considered idolatry. Because a knowledge of God is supposed to transcend the conceptual, residing instead within people's emotional understanding, the theological concept of idolaty is related to the psychological concept of attachment.

Related Topics:
Idolatry - Christian - Theology - Worship - God - Attachment - Psychological

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Christian view toward what is considered idolatry and idol, is largely inherited from monotheist Judaism; Islam adopted a similar view as well, albeit with differences. But Christianity brought what is considered a more relaxed view on matters of law than a strict interpretation of Hebrew scripture dictated. This is seen by Christians not as a deviation from Jewish traditions, but an deeper understanding of the law in the context of human life and a "personal relationship" with God. Thus, in the Christian view, the idol and its worship are not so much the cause of sin, as it is a symptom of a deeper deviation from God; one which can 'be reconciled through Christ,' or after which man 'can be redeemed by the Holy Spirit.'

Related Topics:
Christian - Idolatry - Idol - Monotheist - Judaism - Islam - God

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Paul of Tarsus would later interpret Jesus' teachings in a culturally inclusive way; one that tends to somewhat overlook the stereotypical earmarks of "idolatry," and defines Christianity as a universalist religion. This led also to the proselytizing and missionary (or conversion) aspect of Christianity, which could often cause a hostile relationship with pagan religions, rather than inclusive one. Christian proselytism would also at times have anti-Judaist aims for converting Jews, under the claim that the apparent Jewish exclusion of salvation, among other things, made a reverence for the written law a kind of idolatry. Islam and Christianity would also quarrel with each other but on a much larger scale, due to their mutual universalism and (often hostile) designs on conversion.

Related Topics:
Paul of Tarsus - Universalist religion - Proselytizing - Missionary - Conversion - Pagan - Anti-Judaist - Salvation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~