Honor Or Idols?

“This is nothing more than an idol shop”, I commented to Daniel as we walked by a stored filled with images of Guadelupe and various other “saints”. The next day Diana encountered her on a neighborhood walk. The next day in Wal-mart we observed row after row of candles dedicated for worship of the saints. The next day in the market I passed a prominent shrine. The next day we saw a woman on a pilgrimage holding a glass cabinet with her icon encased. The next day I counted over 25 images in the oldest chapel in the Americas (Est. 1523). The next day the girls and I passed a life sized Mary in the window of a Tarot Card Shop. The next day…

Are we in a land of idols or are we simply among those who wish to honor the patriarchs of the Christian faith? Anthony Pezzotta is a Christian and former priest who studied for fifteen years in Catholic seminaries. He has written on this subject in his book Truth Encounter. Here is his insightful perspective on this question:

“What is the difference between worshiping an idol and honoring a saint? ‘Worship’ can be distinguished from ‘honor’ by both internal and external factors. Internally, worship is evidenced by fear. If a person is afraid to remove an image from his home or business for fear something bad might happen, if he puts an image in his home or business believing that its presence will bring blessing, or if he believes that the presence of an image insures safety in travel or protection from harm, he is worshiping the image. Externally, worship is expressed by actions such as bowing before the image, kneeling before it, crawling up to it, kissing it, affectionately touching it, praying to it, dressing it in fine clothes, burning candles before it and offering it gifts.”

Yes, to all of the above. No doubt we are living in a land of idolatry and it needs to be said, Guadelupe and the others are shameful and contemptible gods; vile images and detestable idols.

“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8

“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8