Understanding idolatry (Jeremiah 2:4-13)

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Idolatry is among our most abused theological words. We can apply it whenever people show intense devotion to anything we don’t like: consumerism, status, fitness, Alabama football. Granted, Alabama football devotion is kinda scary. But those critiques seem trite. Few of us have considered changing gods, to use Jeremiah’s categories. Thus, when a prophet like Jeremiah condemns idolatry, we might be tempted to check out. Admittedly, we are not rock solid in faith. We question our Christianity, struggling to hold onto the notion that a loving God exists. But we’re not trading gods.