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The Unholy Trinity: Martin Luther Against the Idol of Me, Myself and I
We are all too familiar with the same old human pitfall: we rush after the desires of our hearts and worship ourselves instead of Jesus Christ. And yet, the dangers of inward idolatry are a neglected topic in Western theology.
Without God’s First-Commandment-focused Law, we would never truly know the depth of our spiritual disease. Anything we fear, love, or trust more than the true God is, plain and simple, our god.
Drawing upon Martin Luther’s key insights on the theology of idolatry, The Unholy Trinity unmasks contemporary idol worship and its futility. Luther’s unparalleled ability to get to the heart of human sin helps us see through the lie of self-sufficiency. Only when walls of man-made security are broken down can we hear the Gospel as good news—by grace, God gives us every good thing we vainly try to provide for ourselves.
Without God’s First-Commandment-focused Law, we would never truly know the depth of our spiritual disease. Anything we fear, love, or trust more than the true God is, plain and simple, our god.
Drawing upon Martin Luther’s key insights on the theology of idolatry, The Unholy Trinity unmasks contemporary idol worship and its futility. Luther’s unparalleled ability to get to the heart of human sin helps us see through the lie of self-sufficiency. Only when walls of man-made security are broken down can we hear the Gospel as good news—by grace, God gives us every good thing we vainly try to provide for ourselves.
- GenresChristian
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2016
28 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 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.
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 - 11 of 11 reviews