Book contents
- The Philosophy of Worship
- The Philosophy of Worship
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Part I Two Introductions
- Part II What Is Worship?
- Part III Normative Aspects
- 7 Monotheism, Worship, and the Good
- 8 Can I Both Blame and Worship God?
- 9 Worship, Excellence, and Intrinsic Value
- 10 What’s Wrong with Idolatry, and Why There Is No Excuse
- 11 Owing God Worship
- 12 Worship for Atheists
- Part IV Forms and Functions of Worship
- Index
10 - What’s Wrong with Idolatry, and Why There Is No Excuse
from Part III - Normative Aspects
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 January 2025
- The Philosophy of Worship
- The Philosophy of Worship
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Part I Two Introductions
- Part II What Is Worship?
- Part III Normative Aspects
- 7 Monotheism, Worship, and the Good
- 8 Can I Both Blame and Worship God?
- 9 Worship, Excellence, and Intrinsic Value
- 10 What’s Wrong with Idolatry, and Why There Is No Excuse
- 11 Owing God Worship
- 12 Worship for Atheists
- Part IV Forms and Functions of Worship
- Index
Summary
The Bible and religious tradition imply that 1. It is wrong to worship anything other than God, and 2. There is no good excuse for worshipping anything other than God. One question (1) raises is, wrong for whom? Jews and Christians, certainly. I suggest that there is no clear case that idolatry is a sin for Gentile pagans in the Hebrew Scriptures. Christian belief that (1) applies to pagans stems from New Testament texts and philosophy. I consider some broadly philosophical arguments that all idolatry is wrong, no matter by whom. I then argue that (2) rests inter alia on a robust doctrine of “general revelation,” and suggest some of what must go into that doctrine if it is to support (2).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Philosophy of WorshipDivine and Human Aspects, pp. 170 - 188Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025