AUTHOR: Jeff Mikels
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2025, (256 pages).
He takes a four-staged approach. First, he dives into the roots of evangelicalism doctrinally and asks pointed questions about our faith. Diving into the meaning of the gospel, he helps us understand the gospel according to Jesus and Paul. He calls it a "Jesus-Centered Gospel" that lets God's Truth transform believers to be good news for God. Using Acts 15, he doubles down on four principles when comparing the values of Christ to those of the world. These values focus on distinguishing what is central to the faith and what is peripheral. Once we are centered, we will be better able to promote the positives and minimize the negatives. One compelling observation is about how many evangelicals measure their faith, that many are content to simply practice a private faith instead of sharing their faith publicly. Mikels argues for a shift away from the passive to the active.
Secondly, he points out the implications of the gospel based on New Testament teachings. Using his twenty-plus years of pastoral experience, he points out false beliefs, false hopes, and false gods. Some of the problems include learning the "narrow gospel" that focuses on individualism instead of the community; personal salvation instead of evangelism; and diminishing Christ's death through superficial practices. Other problems include "selective morality" as well as the same old world of hypocrisy. In chapter 5, Mikels laments how he lost friends over his theology. Some of his views wade into controversial topics like creationism, racism, religious privilege, and so on.
Third, he looks at Christians' responsibilities, values, and their relevance to society. He challenges us to rethink our understanding of the gospel. He notes the moral teachings of Jesus and contrasts them with the Church today. These are covered in chapters 7 and 8 which are one of the most compelling must-reads in this book. He deals with Christian Activism and criticizes how some of them have turned political and in some way, unChristian. He looks at the temperance movement, social welfare, religious freedom, anti-abortion and warns us not to politicize such issues. He then proposes "Proper Christian Activism" that focuses on human dignity, nobility, Truth, care, stewardship, etc. Chapter 10 has some interesting views on same-sex marriage, social welfare programs, science, journalism, history, and the importance of using of influence in society.
Finally, he calls out the idols of our age before ending with three paths of hope. He calls out evangelicals for an overemphasis on "individual responsibility" that people get what they deserve. He criticizes the conventional approach to "sexual ethics" mainly because of the hypocritical angle held by many. On "spiritual first," the problem is not spirituality but a modern form of dualism, a gnostic practice that prioritizes the spiritual over the physical. "anointed intellect" is branded an idol because of its perceived "Christian supremacy." Other idols include "color blindness," "cultural conservatism," and the temples of "pro-life," "personal freedom," capitalism disguised as "blessings," "political conservatism," and so on.
My Thoughts
This book is an "outside the box" treatment of modern idolatry. The consistent problem throughout the Bible is the problem of idols. Even in a post-Christian society today, idolatry remains a problem. That is why Jeff Mikels's book is worth a read simply because it identifies an age-old demon dressed in modern sheep skins. The Pharisees during Jesus' time were guilty of hypocrisy. So are many Christian leaders who tend to say one thing but practice another. Not only that, the sad fact is that Christians are not even aware that they are barking up the wrong tree! That is why Mikels's observations deserve a serious read. We might not agree with everything he says but his warnings should not go unheeded. Even if we are not guilty of any, that does not guarantee we won't fall into the trap sometime in the future.
Readers should not be afraid to shy away from controversial topics. We are called to engage when needed and disengage when necessary. Such decisions require discernment and wisdom. Many of the views mentioned in the book are baked in the crucible of the author's personal painful experiences. When faced with controversy, some of us might pick a side while others flee from it altogether. Mikels calls us not only to do the right thing but to maintain a Jesus-centered gospel throughout.
While the book is entitled "evangelical idols," most of the book is about equipping us to identify such idols. This is important because training needs to come before trying. The unfortunate thing in churches today is that far too many people are focused on "trying" without the proper "training" in the first place. In the rush to do the right thing, one might mess up one's witness altogether. This book not only equips us in this training, it gives us new lens to see the idols of this age and this alone is worth the price of the book.
Jeff Mikels holds degrees from Wheaton College and Denver Seminary. He has over twenty years of pastoral experience, leading a church in Chicago for five years before planting one in Lafayette, Indiana. There, he was involved in the Pastors’ Alliance; he also helped establish the Greater Lafayette Gospel Association, which is a network of gospel-focused ministries, and served as its president.
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Wm. B. Eerdmans via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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