On Idolatry

Contents

1. 1Idolatry is the chief sin, containing murder, adultery, fraud, and every other vice, because it robs God of his honor and serves the demons.
2. 2Idolatry is not only sacrifice and incense, just as Christ taught that adultery includes lust and murder includes hatred; Christians must recognize its hidden forms.
3. 3Idolatry existed before idols, but the arts that make images of any shape or material became its chief source, since any form made for worship is an idol.
4. 4The law forbids making idols as well as worshipping them, and Enoch, Isaiah, and David all condemn those who make idols together with those who worship them.
5. 5Idol-makers' excuses, that they must earn a living, that Paul told each to remain as he was called, or that Moses made the bronze serpent, do not excuse them.
6. 6Even apart from the law, the baptismal renunciation of the devil forbids making idols; one who makes them for others to worship offers them his own soul.
7. 7It is scandalous that idol-makers come to church, lift their hands in prayer, touch the Lord's body, and are even admitted to church office.
8. 8Craftsmen who build or furnish temples share the guilt of idolatry, but they can earn a living through the many other uses of their skills, and must refuse knowingly to make anything for idols.
9. 9Astrology was taught by the fallen angels and is a form of magic; the magi's visit to Christ ended its license, as the fate of Simon Magus and Elymas shows.
10. 10Christians should not be schoolmasters, who must teach the myths of the gods and keep pagan festivals, but they may learn literature, rejecting the idolatry in it.
11. 11Trade breeds covetousness and lying, and trades that supply idol worship, such as selling sacrificial animals or incense, make a Christian the idols' agent.
12. 12The excuse “I have nothing to live on” is answered by Christ's words and examples: the disciples left everything, and faith does not fear hunger.
13. 13Christians must not share in pagan festivals or their gift-giving customs, for the world's rejoicing is not theirs, and to join in is to be ashamed of Christ.
14. 14The fear that refusing pagan customs will bring blasphemy on Christ's name is no excuse; Christians may live among pagans but not share their festivals, since they have their own Lord's day and Pentecost.
15. 15Hanging lamps and laurels on doors for public festivals honors the door-gods and demons; Christians owe obedience to rulers, but only within the bounds set by God.
16. 16Christians may attend family occasions such as weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies, which are clean in themselves, but not as participants in any sacrifice.
17. 17Christians in service to officials must not assist at sacrifices; whether a Christian could hold public office is doubtful, since he would have to avoid every idolatrous duty and every capital judgment.
18. 18The insignia of Roman office are bound up with idolatry, unlike the honors Joseph and Daniel wore, and Christ's own humility teaches Christians to shun worldly rank and power.
19. 19A Christian may not become a soldier, nor may soldiers remain soldiers after believing, for the oath to Christ cannot be shared with the oath to Caesar, and Christ disarmed Peter.
20. 20Idolatry can creep in through words: Christians may mention pagan gods' names in ordinary speech, but must never call them gods or swear by them, even in common exclamations.
21. 21Keeping silent when someone swears or curses by the gods, or cursing back in their name, honors the idols; a Christian should answer with a blessing in God's name.
22. 22A Christian should not accept a blessing in the name of pagan gods but should make it known that his kindness was done for God; to let oneself pass as a pagan is to deny Christ.
23. 23Signing a written oath by the gods to secure a loan is a real denial even if nothing is spoken, since the soul dictates what the hand writes, as Zechariah “spoke” in writing.
24. 24Faith can steer safely through the dangers of idolatry by watchfulness; avoiding idolatry is the Christian's law, and just as no idolater was figured in Noah's ark, none should be in the church.