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The Unholy Trinity: Martin Luther against the Idol of Me, Myself, and I
Its the same sinful, human pitfall throughout all of time: we look inward to worship the self instead of Jesus Christ. Anything we fear, love, or trust more than the true God is, after all, our god.
“Michael Lockwood shows that God’s use of the Law—for Christians as well as for non-Christians—includes the sufferings of life that destroy our self-sufficiency, which is the root of all idolatry. His book is full of practical suggestions for pastoral care and evangelistic outreach and will be an enormously helpful resource for pastors.”
—Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Emeritus Professor of Literature, Patrick Henry College
“How does a preacher best commend the Christian faith to people who have no need for the Gospel, let alone any desire to participate in the Divine Service? Dr. Lockwood provides us with a diagnostic tool for effective proclamation by his excellent analysis of Luther’s teaching on human idolatry and the impact of its delusive claims. . . . This thoroughly biblical, culturally relevant study is a joy to read.”
—Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Australian Lutheran College
“Saint Augustine spoke of idolatry as worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshiped. John Calvin spoke of the human mind as a perpetual forge of idols, daring to imagine a god suited to its own capacity. And now we have mighty Luther, who shares the stance of Augustine and Calvin, but whose many statements on idolatry have never before been gathered together or considered in such a substantial, accessible, and pastorally fruitful manner.”
—Mark P. Ryan, Adjunct Professor of Religion and Culture, Covenant Theological Seminary; Director, Francis A. Schaeffer Institute
“Today, secularism is seen as social policy, agnosticism and atheism appear to be respectable, and the ranks of the 'nones' are swelling, while indifference to religious views and affiliations grows. So at first glance, idolatry is an unpromising topic for the church’s life and witness. But, as Michael Lockwood shows, a deeper look at idolatry, especially through the eyes of Martin Luther, is revealing and compelling. Tying together many strands and uncovering varied connections in Luther’s thought on false gods, Lockwood presents a rich trinitarian account of idolatry and uses it to uncover and overcome the idols hiding in plain sight today.”
—Dr. Joel P. Okamoto, Waldemar and Mary Griesbach Professor of Systematic Theology Chairman, Department of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary
“Michael Lockwood shows that God’s use of the Law—for Christians as well as for non-Christians—includes the sufferings of life that destroy our self-sufficiency, which is the root of all idolatry. His book is full of practical suggestions for pastoral care and evangelistic outreach and will be an enormously helpful resource for pastors.”
—Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Emeritus Professor of Literature, Patrick Henry College
“How does a preacher best commend the Christian faith to people who have no need for the Gospel, let alone any desire to participate in the Divine Service? Dr. Lockwood provides us with a diagnostic tool for effective proclamation by his excellent analysis of Luther’s teaching on human idolatry and the impact of its delusive claims. . . . This thoroughly biblical, culturally relevant study is a joy to read.”
—Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Australian Lutheran College
“Saint Augustine spoke of idolatry as worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshiped. John Calvin spoke of the human mind as a perpetual forge of idols, daring to imagine a god suited to its own capacity. And now we have mighty Luther, who shares the stance of Augustine and Calvin, but whose many statements on idolatry have never before been gathered together or considered in such a substantial, accessible, and pastorally fruitful manner.”
—Mark P. Ryan, Adjunct Professor of Religion and Culture, Covenant Theological Seminary; Director, Francis A. Schaeffer Institute
“Today, secularism is seen as social policy, agnosticism and atheism appear to be respectable, and the ranks of the 'nones' are swelling, while indifference to religious views and affiliations grows. So at first glance, idolatry is an unpromising topic for the church’s life and witness. But, as Michael Lockwood shows, a deeper look at idolatry, especially through the eyes of Martin Luther, is revealing and compelling. Tying together many strands and uncovering varied connections in Luther’s thought on false gods, Lockwood presents a rich trinitarian account of idolatry and uses it to uncover and overcome the idols hiding in plain sight today.”
—Dr. Joel P. Okamoto, Waldemar and Mary Griesbach Professor of Systematic Theology Chairman, Department of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary
- GenresChristian
260 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 15, 2025
One of my favourite books of the year! So many highlights. Solid exposition and application. Brilliant! Accessible theology.
November 28, 2018
This is an incredibly powerful, insightful book that digs deeply into Scripture, Luther, and social tendencies. It has it all: I'm almost lost where to begin to describe it!
Fantastic insights from Martin Luther with absolutely wonderful, prolific footnotes to help guide later reading. Intriguing psychological support from scientific studies in application sections. Piercing personal perspective as the book helps us to discern our own idolizing tendencies.
This is a book to reread as life circumstances change and grow. Not only because idolatry is such an important, necessary subject for Christians—one emphatically taught about from God Himself in both Old and New Testaments—but because in this book Martin Luther displays the beautiful flow of theology, as one topic affects others, highlighting the divine connections of doctrine. You receive ongoing comfort in Christ, a better understanding of the continual use of the Means of Grace, and a breathtaking new perspective, both on the fallenness of man and the gracious mercy of the one true God, the holy blessed Trinity, even while facing just how rebellious and idolatrous sinners are.
The book has left me almost speechless in one of the best ways possible. So much to ponder. So much to treasure! Much to discern!
Fantastic insights from Martin Luther with absolutely wonderful, prolific footnotes to help guide later reading. Intriguing psychological support from scientific studies in application sections. Piercing personal perspective as the book helps us to discern our own idolizing tendencies.
This is a book to reread as life circumstances change and grow. Not only because idolatry is such an important, necessary subject for Christians—one emphatically taught about from God Himself in both Old and New Testaments—but because in this book Martin Luther displays the beautiful flow of theology, as one topic affects others, highlighting the divine connections of doctrine. You receive ongoing comfort in Christ, a better understanding of the continual use of the Means of Grace, and a breathtaking new perspective, both on the fallenness of man and the gracious mercy of the one true God, the holy blessed Trinity, even while facing just how rebellious and idolatrous sinners are.
The book has left me almost speechless in one of the best ways possible. So much to ponder. So much to treasure! Much to discern!
August 25, 2018
Practical words for christianity in contemporary society.
Lockwood's drawing of attention to the contemporary western society attitude of making good things into self serving ultimate goods is just the thing to equip both lay and academic theologians with the tools needed to understand, critique and ultimately let the gospel help them stand in the face extreme pressure to conform to popular religion and culture.
making idols by turning goods into ultimate goods is the be setting problem of our age and too often the church bends in the breeze. Lockwood draws on Luther's writing in an informative and highly practical way.
Writing as a Reformed theologian who thinks Luther weakening the reality of the Holy Spirit ,I deeply appreciated Lockwood's analysis and applications.
This book should be read by everyone serious about staying true to the gospel in contemporary western society.
Lockwood's drawing of attention to the contemporary western society attitude of making good things into self serving ultimate goods is just the thing to equip both lay and academic theologians with the tools needed to understand, critique and ultimately let the gospel help them stand in the face extreme pressure to conform to popular religion and culture.
making idols by turning goods into ultimate goods is the be setting problem of our age and too often the church bends in the breeze. Lockwood draws on Luther's writing in an informative and highly practical way.
Writing as a Reformed theologian who thinks Luther weakening the reality of the Holy Spirit ,I deeply appreciated Lockwood's analysis and applications.
This book should be read by everyone serious about staying true to the gospel in contemporary western society.
April 14, 2026
Some real gems are to be found here. It's very thorough, having been sourced from his dissertation. Here's a quote for the commonplace book:
"Through prayer, we put our trust in what God's Spirit can do, not what we can do. Through God's Word, we listen to His voice instead of human wisdom, and learn to have both our faith and our resultant actions directed by Him. Then, by faithfully persevering with prayer and the Word in the midst of trouble, we learn through experience, the power of God"
"Through prayer, we put our trust in what God's Spirit can do, not what we can do. Through God's Word, we listen to His voice instead of human wisdom, and learn to have both our faith and our resultant actions directed by Him. Then, by faithfully persevering with prayer and the Word in the midst of trouble, we learn through experience, the power of God"
February 1, 2018
More than just a survey on Luther's teaching on idolatry, this volume is a wealth of pastoral insight into how idolatry creeps its way into every facet of the Christian life. I will be re-reading and referring to this book for years to come.
April 9, 2018
A lot of great insights here. Idolatry is not simply refraining from believing in false gods but also understanding the true nature of worshiping God alone in faith by His Word. I must admit it got a little redundant at times, but nonetheless a good read. A lot of great Luther quotes too.
August 29, 2017
an excellent book on idolatry that treats both past and present
August 27, 2018
What an amazing book! Everyone who is serious about theology should read this.
February 7, 2022
Every Christian should read it. I can't choose a quote to describe the book. It is too wide and deep for me.
July 31, 2023
Certainly will need to reread this again in the future. 🤯
August 3, 2017
Idolatry is the most subtle and pervasive sin, and the root of all others.
April 6, 2017
Excellent, educational and well-documented -- recommended for all, Lutheran and non-Lutheran, readers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews