In chapter two, “No Other gods,” of The Law of Perfect Freedom, Michael Horton unpacks the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20.3, ESV). As is typical Horton comes with some hard-hitting words and forces us to the cross. His thoughts on what we call an idol are very helpful.
We have all heard sermons on the “modern-day” idols of money, sex, work, and family, and certainly, these can be idols that we must tear down. However, Dr. Horton deals with a set of idols that are far more nuanced and probably far more prevalent in the church. He begins by pointing out the problem with so many different formulations of God within “evangelicalism.” To talk about gods that have different attributes is to talk about two different gods. When we fall into the very subtle trap of thinking God exists for us or that we, through some religious practice such as faith or prayer, can obligate God to ourselves, then we have turned from the God of the Bible to worship another god with the same vocabulary. Horton rights, “We slip into paganism by thinking that somehow what we do for God will create an obligation on His part” (Horton, 40).
Following a helpful discussion on what idolatry is, Horton asks, “What are our idols?” His answers to this question are great: faith, experience, love, self, and happiness. Horton argues, when we put our faith in any of these things, we are serving an idol. “Americans believe there is a power in faith, a magic in believing, and this is every bit as ‘primitive’ as the Egyptian, Roman, and medieval superstitions we have described. The act of faith is what really counts; the object of faith is peripheral” (Horton, 51).
Finally, Horton deals with the pitfalls of universalism and pluralism as they pertain to the first commandment. His discussion on prayer in school, nativity scenes on the capital lawn, and other social displays of Christianity alongside what are perceived as equally valid religious expressions is helpful. He writes, “It is, after all, in the best interest of the gospel that Christ’s birth is not celebrated alongside other religious festivals, that prayers are not offered in such a way as to give the impression that Christ is unnecessary as the only mediator” (Horton, 66).
Michael Horton’s treatment of the first commandment is certainly provocative. I was left asking myself three questions. In what ways do I act as if I have somehow obligated God to my service? Am I utterly satisfied with God as revealed in Scripture? What is the object of my faith, really?
What are your thoughts?
Kevin-
I am interested in the questions about faith that you bring up. Have you answered your question about the object of your faith? Are you familiar with Alan Watts? I find the following quote about faith interesting: “Faith is a state of openness or trust. To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float. And the attitude of faith is the very opposite of clinging to belief, of holding on. In other words, a person who is fanatic in matters of religion, and clings to certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe, becomes a person who has no faith at all. Instead they are holding tight. But the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be.” In other words “the object of faith is peripheral” I suspect that you may not agree with this, but I’m interested in your thoughts non the less.
Sam
Sam,
I am not familiar with Alan Watts, but you are correct in your suspicions that I may not agree with Mr. Watts. I would disagree with his conclusion “the object of faith is peripheral.” Mr. Watts, based on the quote that you have given is inconsistent. He seems to be arguing that the object of faith is unimportant. However, when he says “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water,” he is making a very important claim about the object of faith in that scenario. To trust yourself to the water means that the water, the object of your faith, is anything but peripheral. If we are talking about salvation from sin, then the only proper object of faith is Jesus Christ.