The prophets were not very tolerant of idolatry. They implored Israel to turn from the “worthless idols”; they mocked, berated, cajoled them for the inherent foolishness of turning away from the living God. They stood horrified as the people turned from God, maker of all, to something they could make with their own hands.
Today in my personal reading of the scripture I remembered as I read through Jeremiah 50 one of my favorite blasts. Jeremiah uncorks this epic rip:
Jer. 50:2 “Declare and proclaim among the nations.
Proclaim it and lift up a standard.
Do not conceal it but say,
‘Babylon has been captured,
Bel has been put to shame, Marduk has been shattered;
Her images have been put to shame, her idols have been shattered.’
The word he uses translated “idols” is “gillulim” – basically meaning balls of (insert your favorite word for it here) poop! [see the footnote in the NET bible for a good treatment – pun intended – of this] The chief deity of the most powerful kingdom on the planet at that time… a ball of poop! Man, I love the bible!
Aside from my immature delight in the word “poop” (this is why I took Hebrew?), I wonder how serious my areas of idolatry are, what language God might need to use to get my attention in some blind spot areas. It’s always easier to see other people’s idolatry than our own. I wonder how much some of the things I tend to think are appealing are really nauseating.
I’ve said before that I think that evil & the evil one has a kind of tough PR job. It has to convince us that “poop” is desirable. It’s disturbing how often I’ve agreed.
May God open our eyes so that we can see things as they really are. Lead us not into temptation!!!
Ed's Journey 
I can’t believe I’m responding to this blog entry… The topic of gullulim, as crude as it is seems to reside deep within our psyche. You’d be surprised how many references to it (one’s own and other people’s) come up in improvisational drama/ psychoanalytic work. We seem to have a repulsion and fascination with the “muck within.” (And children of course make up whole songs about it.) Until this entry, I was stuck in a kindergarten view of idolatry (i.e. image of a golden calf left over from Sunday school). Perhaps idolatry in this century extends to many things – materialism, sexual objectification, greed, celebrity worship?
On a lighter note, the photo of Jason and his son – AHHHH. A true KODAK moment. What pride in the little guy’s face as he stands next to his dad and holds the board. A God moment for sure.
By: Lise on October 24, 2008
at 2:04 pm
I can’t believe I’m responding to this blog entry… The topic of gullulim, as crude as it is seems to reside deep within our psyche. You’d be surprised how many references to it (one’s own and other people’s) come up in improvisational drama/ psychoanalytic work. We seem to have a repulsion and fascination with the “muck within.” (And children of course make up whole songs about it.) Until this entry, I was stuck in a kindergarten view of idolatry (i.e. image of a golden calf left over from Sunday school). Perhaps idolatry in this century extends to many things – materialism, sexual objectification, greed, celebrity worship?
On a lighter note, the photo of Jason and his son – AHHHH. A true KODAK moment. What pride in the little guy’s face as he stands next to his dad and holds the board. A God moment for sure.
By: Lise on October 24, 2008
at 2:06 pm
This post was money. I loved it. Keep posting your insights from the word. I never would’ve seen this in 100 read throughs of that chapter (unless, perhaps, I had to teach on it…AND called you for help).
– Mark
By: Metropuritan Mark on October 25, 2008
at 4:18 am
re: service tonight (10/24): Mary M. was viewed as, potentially, a “couragous impact player”. As I mentioned to you earlier, the rendition of this miracle of healing given by Anne Rice in “the Road to Cana” is awe-inspiring, and puts Mary M. in a whole new light for me. She was Potential with a capital P, and totally unable or unwilling to live up to it, even with a supportive and God-fearing family. JIM
By: Jim Alsup on October 25, 2008
at 4:40 am
I saw the insert on The Call scheduled to take place November 1st. I am hoping the church as a body will take a serious look into the origins of this movement. It is founded by revivalists and by those believing in unbiblical systems such as Latter Rains. I am concerned about the deception this will place before members of my beloved Journey. Other large churches, including Skyline and Shadow Mountain have already pulled their support of this event. I urge the body to research the founder, Lou Engle and his associate Todd Bemtley. Information is readily available on YouTube and Google.
The saints must always be prepared to question.
By: phylicia on October 25, 2008
at 10:06 pm
in response to phylicia
Skyline has a web link that shares their support of the call.
http://www.skylinechurch.org/
The info I recieved said Shadow Mountain was never involved, not that they withdrew support.
We are asking God for the release of undeserved mercy, a great spiritual awakening.
By: julie on October 27, 2008
at 2:41 am
Do you ever wonder why a doctrinally sound church such as Shadow Mountain will not support Lou Engle’s The Call? Does Journey also support the violent ministries of Todd Bentley??
Lou Engle is the founder of The Call and a strong supporter of Todd Benley, whom Engle has publically referred to as the prophet Elijah.
I am a diligent member of Christ’s body and of Journey and I do my research. I have raised this question because I feel involvement and continued support of The Call places this church body on a slippery slope. We should remain true to only supporting organizations with foundations built by like-minded, bible based, doctrinally sound individuals. We cannot expect God to bless us when we do not test what is presented to us. In Rev. 2:2 Jesus exhalts the Church in Ephesus for it’s faithfulness in this.
I wrote this and my original message for the pastor, since this is his blog, because I am truly concerned and love my church. I cannot remain slilent when such an obvious mistake is being made. I will pray that the pastoal staff is not too proud to admit when they have been deceived by those who wish to corrupt.
By: phylicia on October 27, 2008
at 6:00 pm
O.k. I guess I have to weigh in on this.
Yes, Journey is supporting the call. Most of the other bible believing churches also are supporting the Call.
The fact that we are supporting the call does not mean that we are agree with everything that ANYONE who is involved in planning or speaking at the Call teaches or supports. LET ALONE condemning Lou Engle because he supports someone who will be not be there. THIS is the slippery slope – 2nd & 3rd hand denunciations of brothers & sisters in Christ who – pay attn here – do not deviate from historic, orthodox faith in any significant way.
One of the things that I’ve learned over the years about the unity of the body of Christ which Jesus prized so much (see his prayer in John 17) that you will never be in complete agreement with fellow Christ followers. But, we still must come to our common Lord & pray & work & seek Him together.
On a related note, I am a little put off by the assumption that our pastors at Journey have been “deceived”. That is not the case in this issue. Furthermore the fact that we do not agree with you does not mean that we have an issue with pride. It just means that we think this is something we knowingly support along with the majority of pastors & churches that we are aware of.
By: Ed on October 27, 2008
at 9:55 pm
Thank you for your earnest reply as it was yours I was seeking.
It has and will always remain the responsibility of the Church body to use discernment. Just because is walks like Christ and talks like Christ does not mean it is of Christ. Why do you suppose charismatic revivalists and people who support The Call focus on youth? Because they are of the least discernment.
This is the apostasy Jesus Christ spoke of in the end of days when a fake Christianity would arise deceiving the entire world.
See John 8:42-47, 1Cor 3:10-11
1 Cor 1:22-24
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” Heb 4:12-13
By: phylicia on October 28, 2008
at 12:37 am
Let me state this plainly: it is out of bounds to call into question (this would be the judging that Jesus condemns in Matt 7) the authenticity of another’s profession of faith in Christ unless there is FUNDAMENTAL ERROR. Views of the Holy Spirit & dominion type theology do not rise to the level of heresy. It is simply not right to accuse them of apostasy & call them false teachers. Most of the pastors in San Diego are in support of this event & will participate at some level. SO WILL JOURNEY!
BTW – there should be no confusion about the fact that Journey is a church that believes in all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit being operational today – tongues, prophecy, healing, you name it! So we are a “charismatic” church as well. Unlike our friends at Shadow Mountain we do not hold to any kind of cessationism. We love them, but this would be an area of disagreement. I still think it’s a great church & I pray blessing on them.
By: Ed on October 28, 2008
at 1:18 am