How to Avoid Idolatry

Abstract Part III calls for a more theological analytic theology and defends analytic theology from some common theological objections. Many theologians regard any form of theistic metaphysics as idolatrous, and worries about “conceptual idolatry” are especially prominent in contemporary theology. In Chapter 7, I try to uncover what idolatry really is. Because idolatry involves false worship, it cannot be assimilated to mistaken believing: idolatry is more than a cognitive error. I first discuss standard and extended senses of “idolatry,” before turning to the tricky problem of conceptual idolatry. While idolatry requires more than false believing, I argue that analytic theologians can (and usually do) avoid idolatry by preserving the creator/creature distinction and theorizing with an attitude of worship.