The Idol of Tangibility: The Root of Idol-Worship?

Pondering deep thoughts this evening. Upon finishing this, I have decided I need to practice conveying written thoughts in a more understandable way. I apologize if this comes across as babble.

Earlier today I was reading in a book by Daniel Harrington entitled: "Interpreting the New Testament." Essentially it defines different forms of literary criticism that help one attain meaning or authenticity in regards to Scripture, or any literary piece for that matter.

I came to the chapter dealing with "Historical Criticism," which describes how this form of criticism is used to help prove or disprove claims made in Scripture. Harrington makes the statement that, historically, all that can be said of the person Jesus is that: he was a real person, he was born in Nazareth, he preached and healed, and he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. This, as it should, made me stop and question the validity of this worldview that I ascribe to, this way of life that is an acceptance of a life of suffering and self-denial, and, ultimately, this denial of worldly logic. A thought flew through my head: "I wish there was multiple and accurate historical accounts of Jesus and his deeds to make all of this easier to believe." Then, I realized that I had fallen on my face in front of the golden calf of tangibility.

I then had the revelation that us, as humanity, worship tangibility because it feels as though it is real and understandable. We worship tangibility despite the fact that the root of all things tangible is an idea or benefit that is intangible. Therefore, the truth is that we deny the fact that our desire is that which is physically impossible to grasp (God), and instead replace His void with other intangible ideas symbolically presented in a tangible and understandable form.

For instance:

Paper currency brings: respect, power, ability to act in certain manners, and attention.
All of these 'benefits' are intangible.

College diplomas bring: respect, power, money (which is purely an idea), knowledge, and opportunity.
All of these 'benefits' are intangible.

Food and Shelter brings: life, safety, and health.
All of these 'benefits' are intangible.



We are made to worship God, something that doesn't seem to our earthly and physical minds to be tangible, and this makes us very upset. God, knowing our nature, graciously sent a physical and tangible form of Himself to the Earth, Jesus Christ. Even after this amazing and loving act by our Creator, we still question His existence. Perhaps this is why there is such a massive shift towards humanism in the world today. Humanism is the worship of the only thing that seems truly tangible to humanity, ourselves. But even at the root of finding truth through humanity, one cannot even define what a human is to the point of tangibility.

Let us admit our spirituality. Let us admit our void designed to be filled by the seemingly intangible deity that John the Elder referred to as "Love." Jesus Christ was the tangible revelation of Love. It takes us admitting our desire and void for that which is physically intangible to our simple minds, and inviting the Creator of all things fill that void.



For the sake of Your sorrowful passion have mercy on us sinners.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Amen.