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Greed as Idolatry: The Origin and Meaning of a Pauline Metaphor
What are the origin and meaning of the words "greed is idolatry" found in Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5? In what sense are the greedy guilty of idolatry? Many different answers have been given to this question throughout the history of interpretation. In fact, a consensus exists on only one score -- that the expression serves to vilify greed.
Brian Rosner ably takes on the challenge of interpretation by tackling the phrase as a metaphor, structuring his argument around an intriguing comparison to mountain climbing. From this vantage point, he offers a thorough history of interpretation of the phrase, including a study of the origin of the concept of idolatrous greed in biblical and Jewish sources. Rosner concludes that the comparison of greed with idolatry teaches that to desire to acquire and keep for oneself more money and material things is an attack on God's exclusive right to human love, trust, and obedience.
With this work comes a stunning, fresh understanding of familiar terms -- "greed," "idolatry," and even "God" -- challenging both the church as a whole and individual believers to consider the far-ranging implications of our materialistic world. The first full-length study of this intriguing Pauline expression, Greed as Idolatry has profound implications for theological ethics today.
Brian Rosner ably takes on the challenge of interpretation by tackling the phrase as a metaphor, structuring his argument around an intriguing comparison to mountain climbing. From this vantage point, he offers a thorough history of interpretation of the phrase, including a study of the origin of the concept of idolatrous greed in biblical and Jewish sources. Rosner concludes that the comparison of greed with idolatry teaches that to desire to acquire and keep for oneself more money and material things is an attack on God's exclusive right to human love, trust, and obedience.
With this work comes a stunning, fresh understanding of familiar terms -- "greed," "idolatry," and even "God" -- challenging both the church as a whole and individual believers to consider the far-ranging implications of our materialistic world. The first full-length study of this intriguing Pauline expression, Greed as Idolatry has profound implications for theological ethics today.
- GenresTheology
228 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 14, 2007
Several years ago I lived near a medium-sized city that was scheduled to get a new shopping mall. The area already had two or three of the typical 1980s shoe box malls, but the new one was supposed to be as high above them as they were over the older strip malls. Finally the grand opening day for the new marketplace came, and like thousands of others we made the journey up to the city to see what all the fuss was about. As the multi-story mall rose into view around a bend in the highway, I knew that I had seen its form before. It took only a moment for the recognition to kick in. It was a cathedral.
In Greed and Idolatry: The Origin and Meaning of a Biblical Metaphor, Brian Rosner wants to uncover what’s so bad about the kind of greed that drives modern men to build temples to money and consumption. More specifically, he seeks to unpack one of the strangest metaphors in the New Testament: Paul’s statement that greed is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5). Why would Paul equate these two things that seem to us to have little direct connection?
In our time greed has become a “respectable sin” (to use the title of Jerry Bridge’s newest book), even among Christians. Believers and non-believers alike have a sense that greed is bad, but they would be hard pressed to explain exactly why. In any event, most probably don’t see it as high on the scale of “badness” as more flamboyant sins such as sexual immorality, abortion, or murder. After all, greed doesn’t really hurt anyone, except perhaps the greedy person himself, right? On the other side of the equation, idolatry seems to us to be a quaint but queer practice of pre-scientific cultures. Not our problem.
To unlock Paul’s curious equation, Brian Rosner employs all the tools of biblical theology combined with historical research. After surveying the various ways in which the phrase “greed is idolatry” has been interpreted by theologians down the centuries, Rosner turns to an intensive tracing of both the subject and predicate of that phrase in Jewish and early Christian writings, both biblical and non-canonical. He then surveys the surrounding territory of both terms, revealing the fulness of what they meant to first century readers and hearers. Finally, he links all this together to propose that Paul’s statement was an intentionally brash metaphor meant to shock his audience into understanding that greed is far more terrible a sin than they may have thought. It is nothing less than a direct affront to the One True God who alone deserves to be loved, served, and trusted.
Rosner’s book serves as a model of biblical theology done well in service to the church. By uncovering the impact of an odd phrase on its first century audience, he also reveals why we ought to take greed much more seriously in our day. While one might wish that he spent some time spelling out possible implications of his findings for Christian involvement in economics, social justice, and even personal finance, perhaps it is best for us to work those out on our own. Rosner has laid bare the sin; each of us must determine where that sin has subtly overtaken us.
As an aside, anyone who has found insight and help in the teachings of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) associated with Westminster Theological Seminary should pay attention to this book and its implications for CCEF’s core teaching that idolatry is at the heart of many of our miseries. Greed as Idolatry points the way to how biblical theology can serve such insights by providing their theological foundation.
Brian Rosner starts this book with a quote from John Calvin concerning the greedy person as idolater: “Indeed, this matter is well worth dealing with at greater length.” This reviewer is very glad that Dr. Rosner decided to take up Calvin’s challenge.
In Greed and Idolatry: The Origin and Meaning of a Biblical Metaphor, Brian Rosner wants to uncover what’s so bad about the kind of greed that drives modern men to build temples to money and consumption. More specifically, he seeks to unpack one of the strangest metaphors in the New Testament: Paul’s statement that greed is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5). Why would Paul equate these two things that seem to us to have little direct connection?
In our time greed has become a “respectable sin” (to use the title of Jerry Bridge’s newest book), even among Christians. Believers and non-believers alike have a sense that greed is bad, but they would be hard pressed to explain exactly why. In any event, most probably don’t see it as high on the scale of “badness” as more flamboyant sins such as sexual immorality, abortion, or murder. After all, greed doesn’t really hurt anyone, except perhaps the greedy person himself, right? On the other side of the equation, idolatry seems to us to be a quaint but queer practice of pre-scientific cultures. Not our problem.
To unlock Paul’s curious equation, Brian Rosner employs all the tools of biblical theology combined with historical research. After surveying the various ways in which the phrase “greed is idolatry” has been interpreted by theologians down the centuries, Rosner turns to an intensive tracing of both the subject and predicate of that phrase in Jewish and early Christian writings, both biblical and non-canonical. He then surveys the surrounding territory of both terms, revealing the fulness of what they meant to first century readers and hearers. Finally, he links all this together to propose that Paul’s statement was an intentionally brash metaphor meant to shock his audience into understanding that greed is far more terrible a sin than they may have thought. It is nothing less than a direct affront to the One True God who alone deserves to be loved, served, and trusted.
Rosner’s book serves as a model of biblical theology done well in service to the church. By uncovering the impact of an odd phrase on its first century audience, he also reveals why we ought to take greed much more seriously in our day. While one might wish that he spent some time spelling out possible implications of his findings for Christian involvement in economics, social justice, and even personal finance, perhaps it is best for us to work those out on our own. Rosner has laid bare the sin; each of us must determine where that sin has subtly overtaken us.
As an aside, anyone who has found insight and help in the teachings of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) associated with Westminster Theological Seminary should pay attention to this book and its implications for CCEF’s core teaching that idolatry is at the heart of many of our miseries. Greed as Idolatry points the way to how biblical theology can serve such insights by providing their theological foundation.
Brian Rosner starts this book with a quote from John Calvin concerning the greedy person as idolater: “Indeed, this matter is well worth dealing with at greater length.” This reviewer is very glad that Dr. Rosner decided to take up Calvin’s challenge.
July 29, 2008
This is a very technical study of the metaphor found in Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5 - Greed is idolatry. It is not necessarily written for a popular audience; however, it is not unreadable like other scholarly treatments. I am currently taking a class with the professor. This book is great, and much needed for all, but especially who live in America. Not to give it away but his central thesis is that (1) this is a metaphor - and thus should be interpreted as such and (2) the meaning of the metaphor is that greed can be compared with idolatry in this way because the greedy person loves, serves, and trusts material possessions. Along the way he also helpfully describes greed as both a desire to have more and a refusal to share--A definition that condemns a good man of us--dare I say all. Before we acquiess, this metaphor also paints a very severe picture of greed likening it to the worst sin.
I fully recommend it as a read. I fully recommend all of us personally reflecting the place of this vice in our own lives. I know I am.
I fully recommend it as a read. I fully recommend all of us personally reflecting the place of this vice in our own lives. I know I am.
September 9, 2019
Very thorough, yet readable analysis of greed as idolatry.
I have been concerned of the overuse of the metaphor "idols of the heart". Some in Christian counseling today see value in looking for idols to explain every sin or problem. I have not been convinced by the few bibke verses they use to make their case. Two of those verses are Colossians 3:5 and Ephesians 5:5, regarding thr metaphor of greed as idolatry. With this book, Mr. Rosner has helped me think through this issue by a very thorough analysis of this metaphor and in the process I learned a lot about the bible, how to properly understand scripture and even metaphors in general. Couldn't put this down once I started. Excellent book and readable for the Christian layman.
I have been concerned of the overuse of the metaphor "idols of the heart". Some in Christian counseling today see value in looking for idols to explain every sin or problem. I have not been convinced by the few bibke verses they use to make their case. Two of those verses are Colossians 3:5 and Ephesians 5:5, regarding thr metaphor of greed as idolatry. With this book, Mr. Rosner has helped me think through this issue by a very thorough analysis of this metaphor and in the process I learned a lot about the bible, how to properly understand scripture and even metaphors in general. Couldn't put this down once I started. Excellent book and readable for the Christian layman.
July 11, 2018
If you have a deep theological interest in Paul's words "greed is idolatry," written in his letters to the Ephesians & Colossians, then this book is for you! I do have such an interest, so I rate this book FIVE STARS.
March 10, 2010
"To understand a metaphor like 'greed is idolatry' is at first to be unsettled by it and then to be changed by it" (154). This book does just that. It seeks to provide the literary and theological background for Paul's puzzling claim that "greed is idolatry." Why doesn't Paul say that other sins are idolatry? The author pieces it all together academically, but the fascinating content overwhelms stylistic concerns. Each chapter adds more until you get a fresh understanding of both greed and idolatry. It pulls together so many parts of Scripture and, in the end, makes Paul's claim clear and central. And it's the kind of book that leaves just enough loose ends that the reader can keep developing the answer further.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews