[Ohio]

A forum reader recently wrote me this:

The fundamental problem on this thread is the definitional difference.

1. Most people understand that idolatry means the worship of idols. This is clearly idolatry by participation. It is the act of "doing" idolatry.

2. Many people are willing to extend the definition to mean the unbalanced uplifting of something above God, idol or not, within our hearts. I'm personally not so sure about this definition's utility but it is at least a common enough definition to not be outrageous. Some have pointed out the Lord's words regarding adultery and lusting in this context as proof of concept. Again, I'm not so sure. But I'd refer to this definition as idolatry by imputation. It is the act of "being accounted as" idolatry.

3. Some posters here want to extend a definition that extends even further to apply to those who are merely in association with people who are "guilty" of having committed the sin of idolatry by imputation. I'd call this idolatry by association. There is some slight ground for it. All the Israelites died in the desert, except that Joshua and Caleb didn't. They were among the idolaters but, they were not condemned as idolaters themselves.

It is also important to read the entire context of Hebrews 3 and 4. The clear warning is that the believers who become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin will be excluded from the Sabbath rest. I don't think I've ever heard any of these posters arguing for this idolatry by association definition state that the problem is that you might lose the enjoyment of the kingdom reward. This is what the Bible could theoretically be extended to say.

Instead, these posters are wholly focused on the present relationships between the believers and insist that if you have been guilty of consorting with those who have the idolatry by imputation, you must repent of your own idolatry by association and "turn away" from them who can be accused of idolatry by imputation.

The loose and truly ignorant Bible interpretations are driving the issue. (It is just not ironic that a recent post concluded a citation with Heb. 4:11 without continuing to verse 12.)

Quote: Heb 4:11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Since we can fall into the same example of unbelief as the children of Israel, it seems prudent that we should study and understand their failures.

Regarding this quote, I'd just say, the Bible does NOT SAY that "we can fall into to the same example of unbelief" and the inability to rightly divide the Word is manifest. It does not say we can fall "into" an "example" because that doesn't even make sense. It say we can fall AFTER the example, which means, in a manner similar, not IDENTICAL, to, the example. (Not to say we can't also fall identically, but that's not what the passage discusses.) The result of such a falling is to miss God's rest.

Has one of these idolatry by association advocates EVER mentioned this scriptural truth even once in ALL of this useless talk? I could have missed it, but I do not think so.

It is because nothing being said is true at all. These posters have claimed again and again to only be concerned for the truth but they do not know truth a bit.

Don't shoot me I'm only the messenger.