It’s important to remember that Paul wasn’t asking gentiles to recognize the next step in God’s unfolding story of redemption. He was asking them to abandon their entire worldview! He wasn’t asking folks to add another idol to the mantle. Following Jesus would require them to empty the mantle and destroy their images. Including . . . including household deities linked to the centuries-old tradition of ancestor worship. “Sorry, Granddad. I’m a Christian now. Into the fire you go!”
