IDOLS
God’s battle for our hearts
By Julian Hardyman. IVP. 192 pages. £8.99
ISBN 978-1-84474-418-3
This review was almost written after reading just the introduction, so good — and challenging — is this book!
Hardyman describes how God is battling to recapture our hearts from idolatry where we have deserted God for a plethora of things which will lead to us destroying ourselves. He looks at what idols we actually have, what the problems are with having idols and, finally, how to ‘bust’ those idols.
The idols range from the ‘usual suspects’ (often attributed to the breaking of the first commandment) to more subtle ones, including idols in church life.
He doesn’t hold back as he examines our idols, but his writing is warm and comes from a pastor’s heart. What should remain with the reader is the urgent need to address any areas of life which have been shown up as being idolatrous and stealing from God the worship which he demands and deserves.
This book is accessible to any reader, mid-teenage upwards. It would be useful for private study or with a trusted prayer partner to whom one is accountable. Although it could be used in a larger group, the impact of the book’s lessons on one’s life could be missed, as the honesty required when examining one’s heart is likely to be diluted in a group setting. The deep searching of one’s heart and repentance called for are demanding, but ultimately very worthwhile. Buy it. Read it. Apply it!
