Greed As Idolatry

by Rosner, Brian S.

• ISBN13: 9780802833747
• ISBN10: 0802833748
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-09-15
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Brian S. Rosner is senior lecturer in New Testament and ethics at Moore Theological College.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. x
Abbreviations	p. xii
Introduction: Orientation and Preparation
"Greed as Idolatry": A Formidable Peak	p. 3
The History of Interpretation: Lessons from Other Climbers	p. 7
The Origin of the Expression	p. 8
The Meaning of the Expression	p. 11
No Interpretation	p. 11
Greed Is as Bad as Idolatry	p. 12
Greed Leads to Idolatry	p. 16
Greed Is the Worship of the God or Demon "Mammon"	p. 18
Greed Is Slavery Imposed by the Economic System	p. 19
Greed Is Service and Obedience to Wealth	p. 21
Greed Is Inordinate Love of and Devotion to Wealth	p. 26
Greed Is Trust and Confidence in Wealth	p. 32
Complex Interpretations	p. 38
Conclusion	p. 46
Method for the Present Study: Maps and Supplies	p. 48
A Biblical/Jewish Origin	p. 48
Jewish Moral Teaching in Colossians	p. 52
Jewish Moral Teaching in Ephesians	p. 56
"Greed Is Idolatry" as a Metaphor	p. 59
The Origin of the Concept of Idolatrous Greed: A Comparison with Similar Peaks
The Jewish Scriptures: The Distant Ranges	p. 69
The First Commandment	p. 70
Deuteronomy	p. 71
The Golden Calf	p. 73
Psalm 10	p. 74
Proverbs 30:7-9	p. 75
Job 31:24-28	p. 76
Job 22:23-30	p. 79
Early Jewish Moral Teaching: The Tablelands	p. 80
Qumran	p. 80
Testament of Judah 19.1	p. 82
Rabbinic Literature	p. 82
Philo	p. 85
The New Testament: The Foothills	p. 89
The Synoptic Gospels	p. 89
Revelation 18:1-19:10	p. 92
Philippians 3:19 and Romans 16:18	p. 94
Conclusion: Debriefing the Trekkers	p. 99
The Meaning of "Greed Is Idolatry": Climbing the Mountain
Understanding Greed: The Surrounding Terrain	p. 103
Avarice or Sexual Greed?	p. 103
Sexual Immorality and Idolatry	p. 111
Greed, Violence, and Corruption	p. 115
Definitions of Greed	p. 121
Understanding Idolatry: The Surrounding Terrain	p. 130
Opposition to Idolatry	p. 130
The Concept of Idolatry	p. 140
The Marital Model	p. 142
The Political Model	p. 143
A Definition of Idolatry	p. 148
Understanding Greed as Idolatry: Reaching the Summit	p. 149
Preparing the Metaphor	p. 149
Feeling the Metaphor	p. 154
Condemning Greed in Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity	p. 157
Mapping the Metaphor	p. 159
Love and Devotion	p. 159
Trust and Confidence	p. 160
Service and Obedience	p. 164
Comparing the Metaphor	p. 165
Idolatrous Greed as Implicit Religion	p. 167
Conclusions: Final Debrief and a Look Ahead	p. 172
Greed Is Idolatry	p. 172
The Fight against Greed	p. 174
Idolatry and the Knowledge of God	p. 178
Bibliography	p. 180
Indexes
Index of Names	p. 201
Index of Subjects	p. 205
Index of Bible Passages	p. 208
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