Is the tree an idol? Worship as a heart posture
- Is there anything God created that is inherently evil?
The hosts argue the passage describes idol-making, not modern Christmas trees: the issue is worshiping the thing, not the thing itself. They discuss the third verse of 'O Christmas Tree' (which points to Christ's birth), compare the tree to houseplants and decorations, and insist Christians should not 'cede ground' to false claims — just as pagans worshiping the sun doesn't require abandoning the sun. A host's wife putting up seven trees purely because they're festive is offered as an example of non-idolatrous enjoyment.
More on Idolatry
-
Evaluating the event: Elijah, Josiah, the sign of Jonah, the donuts test
- How do we tell whether a church element has become the thing itself rather than pointing to Jesus?
The hosts work through evaluation tools for curated experiences: Elijah didn't ask God to repeat the fire, and Jesus refused to repeat signs for the Pharisees ('you get the sign…
-
Does God affirm our struggles or call us to repent of them?
- Does God affirm our struggles or call us to repent of them?
Mike frames two camps: one that says God affirms our struggles as-is, another that says He calls us to repent of what is in our control.
From No. 534 · The Antagonistic Bison
-
Is it wrong to keep a potty mouth and chew tobacco?
- Is it wrong to love and follow Jesus while keeping a slight potty mouth and continuing to chew tobacco?
- Does the Bible call gambling a sin?
Third 'is this wrong?' case: can a host love and follow Jesus all his days while keeping a slight potty mouth and chewing tobacco?
From No. 524 · Handshakes and Wrongness
-
Ask the pastor: the queen of heaven in Jeremiah 7:18
- What is the 'queen of heaven' in Jeremiah 7:18?
Boova's ask-the-pastor comes from his Jeremiah read-through: the 'queen of heaven' in Jeremiah 7:18 (cakes baked, drink offerings poured 'to provoke me to anger').
From No. 508 · The Caduce