Thank you for the advanced copy. 
A very well researched and well written book, I feel suited more to an American audience. I found the subject matter fascinating.  Took me an afternoon to get through but was well worth it.

A learned deep thinking book which is well researched and well written. I found it directed principally  at an American audience and therefore I did find the style of writing slightly jarring. That said, it is an excellent interpretation of idolatry and how today's society has been drawn away from the original path

If you want a theological analysis of where the country and Christianity are today then you could do alot worse than this book, especially with Christians seemingly aligning themselves with differing political and social factions and not noticing the slide into idolatry and away from Jesus. On a side note the book also has a very striking cover so full marks to whoever designed it! Recommended! 

Thanks to NetGalley and SPCK for ARC.

Monotheism and mission are two key themes in the Bible. There is only one true, living God as revealed in the Bible and this God is on mission, working out His sovereign purposes throughout history. Christopher Wright in this very insightful book, fleshes out the teaching of the Bible on monotheism and mission, showing us our personal and cultural idols that grip our hearts and the society in which we live in. This book is a convicting read!

Wright begins with a Biblical analysis of the true God (Yahweh) and the other gods throughout history. He shows us that even though the idols and the gods they represent do exist in culture, “they do not have the divine existence that the one living God alone possesses.” Idolatry indeed brings so much disorder and dysfunction in all our relationships, and even in God’s created order. He also points out that the idols and the gods they represent are nothing but human constructs, which we try to jealously and aggressively defend to our own peril. He writes very insightfully, “In our own jealous protectiveness of the gods we create for ourselves, we parody the true jealousy that is the prerogative of the only true God whom we did not create.”

Wright then shows us that God is on mission to restore the disorder and dysfunction of His whole creation. Our mission is to participate in this mission of God, working with God in exposing the idols of society, thus liberating people from the “destructive delusions they foster.” Again, he insightfully points out four things we tend to manufacture our idols from: things that entice us, things we fear, things we trust and things we need. He also helpfully presents three accusations that the Bible lays out against idolatry:

1. Idols deprive God of His proper glory
2. Idols distort the image of God in human beings
3. Idols are profoundly disappointing

Wright suggests that our responses in confronting idolatry can differ in various contexts. For example, our methods when engaging directly with idol worshipers can be different from our tactics when offering theological teaching to seasoned believers. Wright looks specifically at four different contexts where our approach can vary: theological argument, evangelistic engagement, pastoral guidance, and prophetic warning. I thoroughly enjoyed Wright’s wise and skillful methodology in exposing idolatry in Chapter 4.

Another insightful chapter was chapter 7 where Wright shows us three dimensions of God-centered living: living by the story of God (being Bible people), committed to the mission of God (being gospel people), and submitting to the reign of God (being Kingdom people). I also found his summary of the five marks of the church’s mission very helpful. Those marks are evangelism, teaching, compassion, justice and stewardship of creation, which he then compresses into three focal areas where believers need to engage: church, society and creation. We are to build the church (through evangelism and teaching), we are to serve society (through compassion and justice) and we are to steward creation (through godly use of God-given resources). He also wisely points out that each of these focal points flows from the fact that Jesus is Lord of the church, the nations and the entire creation. I thought this chapter was brilliant and showed me Wright’s deep and practical insights into the key themes of Scripture.

There is incredible wisdom in each of these chapters. Wright is skillful like a surgeon in exposing the myriad ills of the human heart. He is bold in showing us the cultural idols of the day, even pointing out how Christians have willingly bowed down to them. Wright provides a provocative critique of idolatry and winsomely points us to the mission of God, in which we are lovingly called to participate. Overall, this book helped me see my own heart idols and the cultural idols to which I am often willing to bow down to. For these reasons, I am happy to commend this book to all. 5/5 stars.

*I received this complimentary book from SPCK/NetGalley, but was not required to write a favorable review.*