The Creator Versus Useless Idols

Even though it is barely accepted in public conversations, this one thing is true: the Bible criticizes against religions.

The letter written to the Romans synthesizes the state of man and the way of salvation like this:

1. Everybody lives in rebellion against God and is a sinner (Romans 3:1-20)

2. This rebellion cannot be solved by any good deed within the Law of God (Romans 3:19-20)

3. There is only one way to be saved from the wrath of God, that is Jesus Christ, God's Son, who died on our behalf, on the cross of Calvary (Romans 3:21-26). Who believes in Jesus, and relies upon His sacrifice, and admits the justice of the divine punishment, will be justified before God and will be saved (Romans 3:27-31).

Before this paragraph, Paul discovers why every man is held accountable before God (Romans 1:18-32). God's wrath, on one hand, is against the lack of a relationship of man with God, and, on the other hand, against the destroyed relationships among people. These people hide the truth (verse 18). What does that mean? Paul says: "...because that which may be known of God, is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them" (verse 19). God cannot be seen directly, but from creation it is possible to reflect and to realize that when it comes to origins there has to be an almighty person (verse 29).

Man provokes the wrath of God when he does not see God as the Creator, and by trying to find religious surrogates (verses 20-23). So the problem is not just if God exists or not, but, in an equal manner, who man serve and, who does he glorify?

Instead of thanking the Creator, man creates his surrogates. He twists around his thinking and his belief replacing the Creator with His creation: "(people)...changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things" (Romans 1:23). Instead of the Invisible God showing up in visible representations. God is replaced. The glory and honor that He deserves have another address. Like when, man creates his own religion. In doing that, he lifts himself to the position of god. Some worship animals, dead people, stones, "mother earth", money, and all these are just a replacement of God.

A part of God's creation takes the Creator's place. In the Old Testament, we find long passages that criticize religion. Prophets, like Habakuk, make fun of people that build their own idol, and then they worship it. Isaiah writes: "They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things" (Isaiah 44:9). The Hebrew word used in the Old Testament for idol is "nullity"; the idols are nothing more than wood, stones or animals - something created, which, is inferior to man. Isaiah describes the latter: "He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshipeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god." (44:16-17).

Apostle Paul stood against the representatives of other religions in Acts 14 and 17.

A German scientist, that studied religion, Thomas Schirrmacher said: "Men need religions, either theists, or non-theists, either famous or hidden to suppress the truth that a Creator exists who will hold them accountable for their life. Men create religions that are (in their opinion) more convenient than serving the real God.

Every man needs to be confronted with the existence of the Creator. The problem of God's existence cannot be treated from a distance; it is something personal, and everybody needs to answer.

Very interesting is that after apostle Paul shows God to the people that didn't believe in Him, at the end of the letter he glorifies Him. He does that because he belongs to God. Paul looks at the invisible things, because all that is visible is limited; the invisible things are eternal.

So, who am I to be thankful to? Whom do I honor with my life? These are truly important questions, and more important then the questions, are the answers… because they determine our fate for eternity.