Greed as Idolatry: The Origin and Meaning of a Pauline Metaphor

by Brian S. Rosner

Overview

What are the origin and meaning of the words "greed is idolatry" found in Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5? In what sense are the greedy guilty of idolatry? Many different answers have been given to this question throughout the history of interpretation. In fact, a consensus exists on only one score -- that the expression serves to vilify greed.

Brian Rosner ably takes on the challenge of interpretation by tackling the phrase as a metaphor, structuring his argument around an intriguing comparison to mountain climbing. From this vantage point, he offers a thorough history of interpretation of the phrase, including a study of the origin of the concept of idolatrous greed in biblical and Jewish sources. Rosner concludes that the comparison of greed with idolatry teaches that to desire to acquire and keep for oneself more money and material things is an attack on God's exclusive right to human love, trust, and obedience.

With this work comes a stunning, fresh understanding of familiar terms -- "greed," "idolatry," and even "God" -- challenging both the church as a whole and individual believers to consider the far-ranging implications of our materialistic world. The first full-length study of this intriguing Pauline expression, Greed as Idolatry has profound implications for theological ethics today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802833747
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	08/28/2007
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.58(d)

About the Author

Brian Rosner teaches New Testament and Ethics at Moore Theological College in Newtown, NSW, Australia.

Table of Contents

Preface     x
Abbreviations     xii
Introduction: Orientation and Preparation
"Greed as Idolatry": A Formidable Peak     3
The History of Interpretation: Lessons from Other Climbers     7
The Origin of the Expression     8
The Meaning of the Expression     11
No Interpretation     11
Greed Is as Bad as Idolatry     12
Greed Leads to Idolatry     16
Greed Is the Worship of the God or Demon "Mammon"     18
Greed Is Slavery Imposed by the Economic System     19
Greed Is Service and Obedience to Wealth     21
Greed Is Inordinate Love of and Devotion to Wealth     26
Greed Is Trust and Confidence in Wealth     32
Complex Interpretations     38
Conclusion     46
Method for the Present Study: Maps and Supplies     48
A Biblical/Jewish Origin     48
Jewish Moral Teaching in Colossians     52
Jewish Moral Teaching in Ephesians     56
"Greed Is Idolatry" as a Metaphor     59
The Origin of the Concept of Idolatrous Greed: A Comparison with Similar Peaks
The Jewish Scriptures: The Distant Ranges     69
The First Commandment     70
Deuteronomy     71
The Golden Calf     73
Psalm 10     74
Proverbs 30:7-9     75
Job 31:24-28     76
Job 22:23-30     79
Early Jewish Moral Teaching: The Tablelands     80
Qumran     80
Testament of Judah 19.1     82
Rabbinic Literature     82
Philo     85
The New Testament: The Foothills     89
The Synoptic Gospels     89
Revelation 18:1-19:10     92
Philippians 3:19 and Romans 16:18     94
Conclusion: Debriefing the Trekkers     99
The Meaning of "Greed Is Idolatry": Climbing the Mountain
Understanding Greed: The Surrounding Terrain     103
Avarice or Sexual Greed?     103
Sexual Immorality and Idolatry     111
Greed, Violence, and Corruption     115
Definitions of Greed     121
Understanding Idolatry: The Surrounding Terrain     130
Opposition to Idolatry     130
The Concept of Idolatry     140
The Marital Model     142
The Political Model     143
A Definition of Idolatry     148
Understanding Greed as Idolatry: Reaching the Summit     149
Preparing the Metaphor     149
Feeling the Metaphor     154
Condemning Greed in Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity     157
Mapping the Metaphor     159
Love and Devotion     159
Trust and Confidence     160
Service and Obedience     164
Comparing the Metaphor     165
Idolatrous Greed as Implicit Religion     167
Conclusions: Final Debrief and a Look Ahead     172
Greed Is Idolatry     172
The Fight against Greed     174
Idolatry and the Knowledge of God     178
Bibliography     180
Indexes
Index of Names     201
Index of Subjects     205
Index of Bible Passages     208

Editorial Reviews

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
"Recommended for all biblical scholars, pastors, and interested students, as it is sure to become the standard treatment of this significant phrase. (Starred Review.) "

Craig L. Blomberg
-- Denver Seminary
"Modern readers are often surprised to discover 'greed' in the New Testament vice lists along with what they view as much more serious sins. But Ephesians and Colossians both call it idolatry, and other eras of church history often understood this better than we do in today's Western world. Rosner explores the concept of greed as idolatry in rich detail from every imaginable angle -- exegetical, theological, historical, sociological -- and challenges contemporary Christianity to take it far more seriously. A crucial topic for anyone who wants to be faithful to biblical ethics."

From the Publisher