We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: tiqqune sopherim, golden calf event, hearing formula, Old Testament, Becoming Like What We Worship, Grand Rapids (more...)

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Product Description

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.

About the Author

G. K. Beale (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. 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, John's Use of the Old Testament in Revelation and The Temple and the Church's Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God. He is also a contributor to the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 341 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (November 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083082877X
• ISBN-13: 978-0830828777
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #77,902 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, December 23, 2008

By	Trevin Wax - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

In We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry (IVP Academic, 2008), author G.K. Beale teases out the implications of a truth he first discovered during an extensive study of the commissioning of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6). Beale believes that one of the central aspects of Isaiah 6 is that "what you revere you resemble, either for ruin or restoration." His book is an attempt to show how this teaching is woven into the fabric of Scripture. We Become What We Worship illuminates this teaching by presenting a biblical theology of idolatry.

We Become What We Worship relies heavily on intertextuality - a method of Bible study that combines grammatical-historical exegesis with canonical-contextual exegesis. Beale uses this methodology in order to persuasively demonstrate that the concept of idolaters becoming like their idols is one that appears throughout the Bible.

The most helpful section of this book is the chapter on Isaiah 6. Pastors and teachers will find Beale's exegetical insights to be of enormous value. Next time I preach or teach on Isaiah 6, I will definitely consult this book again! Beale masterfully showcases the biblical allusions in the text, nuances that shed light on the passage's context and meaning.

Another important insight I gleaned from Beale's work concerns the Golden Calf narrative in Exodus. Beale shows how this pivotal event in Israel's history is alluded to in many Old and New Testament passages.

Many readers may not have the stamina to persevere through the rigorous exegesis that forms the heart of this book. We Become What We Worship is definitely geared to the academy and not the layperson. But I highly recommend that pastors consult this book whenever they are preparing to preach on one of the texts that Beale exposits. We Become What We Worship is a terrific resource that shines light on many passages of Scripture.

32 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not Great, January 1, 2009

By	Shane (Washington State) - See all my reviews

The major premise of Beale's book is that we become what we worship, either for ruin or restoration. This thesis is generally solid, since Psalm 115.8 spells it out clearly. For this reason, the book is worth reading. In depth, it explores that concept elsewhere in Scripture.

Beale's methodology is somewhat surprising. One would guess, knowing Beale's great emphasis on the NT interpreting the OT, he would start with a few NT texts on idolatry and use them to interpret OT ones and other NT ones as well. However, he uses Isaiah 6.9-13 as not only the source of his thesis, but also as the lens by which he interprets other OT and NT texts. This is troublesome first, because almost no scholar says Isaiah 6.9-13 has idolatry specifically in mind, much less that it shows an idolater becomes like an idol.

It is troublesome second, because he bases his thesis on the allusions to Isaiah 6 in earlier and later Scripture, using his interpretation of Isaiah 6 as the lens for other texts. This does make for some great - really great - biblical theological insights, but elsewhere the reader has to pause to wonder if the biblical author really was talking about idolatry and becoming like idols in a certain text (i.e. the seven letters in Revelation 2-3). In Beale's defense, Isaiah 6 is alluded to in earlier and later texts; the problem is with the lens and possibility of allusions.

Of course this is a methodological and hermeneutical issue; Beale does talk about this extensively in his intro. He says he is a maximalist when it comes to finding intertextual allusions. In my opinion, he is a super-confident maximalist while probably the better option is to be a cautious maximalist to prevent the interpreter from finding allusions that the author did not mean to make.

One other critique I have is that this book claims to be "a biblical theology of idolatry" (subtitle); yet I believe that is too broad a subtitle. Were it a complete biblical theology of idolatry, there would have been more discussion on the first few commandments, idolatry and spiritual prostitution, idolatry and witness (i.e. Is 44.8-9), and the biblical teaching that idols originate in the heart, etc. This would tweak the thesis of the book, to be sure. The narrow scope of the book is how Beale's thesis from Isaiah 6.9-13 is found elsewhere in Scripture; it is not a comprehensive book on the nature, origin, essence, subjects, and effects of idolatry. To be sure, he does say that he is just exploring this one aspect of idolatry, but by not discussing the other threads/meanings of idolatry in Scripture, it seems that this one dominates the others and runs roughshod over other huge idolatry themes. Beale does say that this thread of the strand is the chief thread in the OT and NT. I think this is debatable.

In summary, the book is very much worth getting for considering the topic of idolatry. Beale steeps all his arguments in Scripture; even if the reader does not agree with him at all points, it is refreshing to stay in Scripture. It is not for the average layperson, as Beale takes the reader through an exhaustive dot-to-dot of cross references and word studies. It will be a great resource to consult along side other such works and commentaries. I only hesitate to call it the definitive work on idolatry.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We resemble what we revere-- either for ruin or restoration, February 8, 2009

By	Jason Bradshaw (Greenville, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Beale's thesis, that we reveal what we revere either for ruin or restoration, is shown in multiple biblical contexts in both the Old and New Testaments. I found his arguments to be very persuasive and, overall, an incredibly fair treatment of the text.

There were a few times in the book where I didn't see the connection that author was making, but, on the whole these passages were in the vast minority to sure-footed interpretive decisions. Of particular importance are his commentary on such passages as Psalm 115, Isaiah 6, and Exodus 32-34.

Overall, I found the book to be very enjoyable--thoroughly Biblical and immediately applicable.