What do you think?
Rate this book
Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel With Hidden Idols
Why do we find it so hard to change? Is it because modern-day idols trap us to commit treason against the gospel? Brad Bigney shows, using poignant testimonies, how to live joyfully and free.
Audio CD
First published June 12, 2012
249 people are currently reading
1215 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
August 13, 2018
I want to start by saying that from other reviews, it appears that a lot of people have enjoyed this book and found it fruitful. I am thankful for that; it was just not my experience, and honestly I am concerned about the bad theology some may pick up along the way (particularly surrounding mental disorders, see below).
Based on the description and subject matter I was quite excited to read this book when it was assigned as part of my seminary coursework. I actually elected to read it over another option. I was quickly disappointed, and I probably would not have finished the book if it were not assigned. It was fairly repetitive. Furthermore, a few sections undermined the author’s credibility for me (see below).
The basic premise of the book is that sin is tied to idolatry, and that the gospel is the solution to both. I can agree with that. I agree that sin can often be traced back to idolatry, either of self, or of another person, or a job, money, etc. This book does a great job of unpacking that idea.
However, I don’t think that all sin fits neatly into this paradigm.
For example, they author tells a personal story and traces his bad behavior back to an idol of “I deserve a break; no one should demand anything else of me—especially those closest to me! Just feel bad for me. Tell me how hard I have it. Ask if there’s anything you can do to help me.” (p126). Those four sentences represent the idol. I agree that the story is one of sin, and the author desperately needed the work of Christ in that situation. I just don’t think it’s always helpful to fit sin into a paradigm of idolatry before Christ can do His work.
A need to do so could easily lead to somewhat of a “witch hunt” mentality. Rather than simply identifying sin, repenting, and inviting Jesus to do His work, the task becomes to comb through our lives, hearts, and minds, and figure out what idol is contributing to each sin. I would argue that often the answer is “self”, but that this step is not always necessary.
The most helpful parts of the book to me were the last few chapters. Bigney does a great job underlining the centrality of the gospel in deliverance from idolatry and sin. I particularly enjoyed Chapter 12, “God’s Prescription for Freedom”, where the importance of guarding your heart, reading God’s Word, being in community and spending time in prayer are emphasized. These were helpful reminders in how to avoid sin in general, not just idolatry.
The bad:
The author said a few things that made it difficult to take him seriously.
Unfortunately, the worst of it was fairly early on, and it certainly colored my perception of the author and the book. Explaining how good things (like serving in church) can become idols, he describes a hypothetical situation:
“But the woman who spends so much time volunteering at church might have a family who’s saying, “Gee, we could use her help around here.” Her husband feels that he’s living without her. Laundry piles up, and he longs for a home-cooked meal, not to mention a romantic romp in the bedroom! Instead, his wife is always tired and seemingly unavailable.” (p42).
Are you kidding me? These are the main problems that arise from making an idol out of serving at church? Don’t get me wrong - I fully agree that a good thing like serving can become an idol and create relational problems, but being a husband myself I found this scenario downright laughable. Perhaps the husband in the story does not have arms with which to do laundry? There’s no mention of quality time. No mention of children missing their mother’s love. No mention of a husband missing companionship, or perhaps devotional or prayer time with his wife. Instead, the husband misses his wife’s cooking, cleaning, and sex. This scenario didn’t inspire an ounce of sympathy from me, except perhaps for the wife dealing with a useless, lazy, selfish husband.
Bigney also writes off panic attacks (p145) and various clinical psychological disorders (schizophrenia p142, bipolar p142, depression p102) as being chalked up to idolatry and a wrong mindset. I recognize that a spiritual issue could be incorrectly diagnosed as a psychological disorder. However, psychological disorders are real illnesses. It seems like in some Christian circles there is an assumption that because we can’t see psychological issues, they must be spiritual. It is as if the brain has somehow not been made susceptible to illness along with the rest of the body as a result of sin and living in a fallen world. These conditions are just as legitimate as diabetes or cancer, neither of which Bigney would write off as the result of idolatry or mindset (I assume). It is extremely unhelpful and unloving to tell a Christian to repent of their illness.
Based on the description and subject matter I was quite excited to read this book when it was assigned as part of my seminary coursework. I actually elected to read it over another option. I was quickly disappointed, and I probably would not have finished the book if it were not assigned. It was fairly repetitive. Furthermore, a few sections undermined the author’s credibility for me (see below).
The basic premise of the book is that sin is tied to idolatry, and that the gospel is the solution to both. I can agree with that. I agree that sin can often be traced back to idolatry, either of self, or of another person, or a job, money, etc. This book does a great job of unpacking that idea.
However, I don’t think that all sin fits neatly into this paradigm.
For example, they author tells a personal story and traces his bad behavior back to an idol of “I deserve a break; no one should demand anything else of me—especially those closest to me! Just feel bad for me. Tell me how hard I have it. Ask if there’s anything you can do to help me.” (p126). Those four sentences represent the idol. I agree that the story is one of sin, and the author desperately needed the work of Christ in that situation. I just don’t think it’s always helpful to fit sin into a paradigm of idolatry before Christ can do His work.
A need to do so could easily lead to somewhat of a “witch hunt” mentality. Rather than simply identifying sin, repenting, and inviting Jesus to do His work, the task becomes to comb through our lives, hearts, and minds, and figure out what idol is contributing to each sin. I would argue that often the answer is “self”, but that this step is not always necessary.
The most helpful parts of the book to me were the last few chapters. Bigney does a great job underlining the centrality of the gospel in deliverance from idolatry and sin. I particularly enjoyed Chapter 12, “God’s Prescription for Freedom”, where the importance of guarding your heart, reading God’s Word, being in community and spending time in prayer are emphasized. These were helpful reminders in how to avoid sin in general, not just idolatry.
The bad:
The author said a few things that made it difficult to take him seriously.
Unfortunately, the worst of it was fairly early on, and it certainly colored my perception of the author and the book. Explaining how good things (like serving in church) can become idols, he describes a hypothetical situation:
“But the woman who spends so much time volunteering at church might have a family who’s saying, “Gee, we could use her help around here.” Her husband feels that he’s living without her. Laundry piles up, and he longs for a home-cooked meal, not to mention a romantic romp in the bedroom! Instead, his wife is always tired and seemingly unavailable.” (p42).
Are you kidding me? These are the main problems that arise from making an idol out of serving at church? Don’t get me wrong - I fully agree that a good thing like serving can become an idol and create relational problems, but being a husband myself I found this scenario downright laughable. Perhaps the husband in the story does not have arms with which to do laundry? There’s no mention of quality time. No mention of children missing their mother’s love. No mention of a husband missing companionship, or perhaps devotional or prayer time with his wife. Instead, the husband misses his wife’s cooking, cleaning, and sex. This scenario didn’t inspire an ounce of sympathy from me, except perhaps for the wife dealing with a useless, lazy, selfish husband.
Bigney also writes off panic attacks (p145) and various clinical psychological disorders (schizophrenia p142, bipolar p142, depression p102) as being chalked up to idolatry and a wrong mindset. I recognize that a spiritual issue could be incorrectly diagnosed as a psychological disorder. However, psychological disorders are real illnesses. It seems like in some Christian circles there is an assumption that because we can’t see psychological issues, they must be spiritual. It is as if the brain has somehow not been made susceptible to illness along with the rest of the body as a result of sin and living in a fallen world. These conditions are just as legitimate as diabetes or cancer, neither of which Bigney would write off as the result of idolatry or mindset (I assume). It is extremely unhelpful and unloving to tell a Christian to repent of their illness.
November 22, 2021
This is a good book. Every thing he says is good. It was repetitive at points and I felt like something was missing from the final section about loving Christ supremely as opposed to idols. It is helpful and at times a painful read.
May 26, 2022
Excellent, accessible, convicting book. Bigney skillfully uses the Word to expose the dominant, hidden motivations of the heart--those things which compete with Christ for our ultimate allegiance. The author uses many of his own failures to illustrate his points, which is very helpful.
The book, while convicting, is not a downer. Bigney writes with an honest, open-faced sense of humor that adds an enjoyable flavor to a difficult message. If you have heard him preach, you can hear his voice in your head as you read the book!
Ultimately the book is filled with hope through the gospel of Christ. This is a book every genuine Christian should read--and heed. Five stars, highly recommended.
The book, while convicting, is not a downer. Bigney writes with an honest, open-faced sense of humor that adds an enjoyable flavor to a difficult message. If you have heard him preach, you can hear his voice in your head as you read the book!
Ultimately the book is filled with hope through the gospel of Christ. This is a book every genuine Christian should read--and heed. Five stars, highly recommended.
May 12, 2022
What an excellent book!! Hard read, but so so good. Identify your idols, but don’t get stuck looking at them-look to Christ! Stand amazed at what he’s done on the cross for our sins. Forsake the idols that lead to hard living by doing the hard work now of daily, minute by minute asking “Does this thought/action please God?” (rather than pleasing self). Comes with a study guide found on the authors website!
July 3, 2020
The cliché holds that for one who is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. For Bigney, everything is an idol - EVERYTHING.
For those of us who are old enough to remember LP albums, this book reads like a scratch in the record. Having purchased the book on the recommendation of my pastor, his wife, and one of the church elders, I confess having made it only halfway through before I had to set it aside. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I found it tedious, repetitive, and bad theology.
I recognize that many sins can be traced back to idols in our lives, but Bigney is attempting to build a case that all sin is traced to idolatry. And depending on how one defines idolatry, perhaps that case can be made. But there are points at which Bigney's effort to make his case causes him to define as sinful things to which I would not affix that label.
For example:
Early on, Bigney was building a case that even good things can become idols. To make his case, Bigney hypothesized a wife and mother who was volunteering at church to the point of neglecting home chores like cooking, laundry, and the sexual needs of her husband. In Bigney's hypothetical, church service had become her idol.
If this were a debate, I'd counter with the argument that the idolatry of homemaking and frequent bedroom romps with her honey plunged this woman into the sin of neglecting church service. The argument can be made either way, and the truth is, neither is a sin. Life is a series of choices and often the options are morally and ethically neutral.
Bigney crossed a line I cannot cross, however, when he began to define psychological disorders as idolatry. Those who suffer from panic attacks, bipolar disorders, clinical depression, or schizophrenia deserve better than to be told to repent and reject their idols. At that point, Bigney's argument moved from silly to dangerous and irresponsible.
I chose to decline reading the remainder of the book.
For those of us who are old enough to remember LP albums, this book reads like a scratch in the record. Having purchased the book on the recommendation of my pastor, his wife, and one of the church elders, I confess having made it only halfway through before I had to set it aside. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I found it tedious, repetitive, and bad theology.
I recognize that many sins can be traced back to idols in our lives, but Bigney is attempting to build a case that all sin is traced to idolatry. And depending on how one defines idolatry, perhaps that case can be made. But there are points at which Bigney's effort to make his case causes him to define as sinful things to which I would not affix that label.
For example:
Early on, Bigney was building a case that even good things can become idols. To make his case, Bigney hypothesized a wife and mother who was volunteering at church to the point of neglecting home chores like cooking, laundry, and the sexual needs of her husband. In Bigney's hypothetical, church service had become her idol.
If this were a debate, I'd counter with the argument that the idolatry of homemaking and frequent bedroom romps with her honey plunged this woman into the sin of neglecting church service. The argument can be made either way, and the truth is, neither is a sin. Life is a series of choices and often the options are morally and ethically neutral.
Bigney crossed a line I cannot cross, however, when he began to define psychological disorders as idolatry. Those who suffer from panic attacks, bipolar disorders, clinical depression, or schizophrenia deserve better than to be told to repent and reject their idols. At that point, Bigney's argument moved from silly to dangerous and irresponsible.
I chose to decline reading the remainder of the book.
May 5, 2022
Wow! What a great book! The only problem: it can’t unread. It must be dealt with, it gets in your head and you can’t help but ask yourself hard questions in moments of anger, anxiety, excitement. “What am I prizing, protecting, prioritizing, promoting more than Christ?” “What are the thoughts, emotions, actions (TEA) that are feeding my character?” And so many more. I felt beaten up after reading it but Bigney does an excellent job of reminding the reader of the Gospel, I kept going back to one sentence at the beginning of the book, “Glance at your heart, but gaze at Christ.” and the final chapter was so encouraging after the whipping I took in chapters one through twelve. This will be a book I will re-read. Highly recommend the book along with the free study guide and the sermons that can be downloaded at the author’s site.
September 2, 2016
This was a hard read. Not that the grammar, syntax, or vocabulary were overly difficult (they weren't), nor was the subject too difficult to grasp, it was hard to peel back the layers of sin to get to the heart of idolatry in my life. And then, once it is exposed in all its ugliness, what do I do about it? Thankfully the end of the book leaves you with tools to fight and kill sin on a daily basis. Brad Bigney shows us how to expose the idols of our heart and kill them with Gospel truth. Thank you Brad.
March 13, 2022
This might just be my new favorite book!! It’s an easy read as Brad Bigney is a great at simplifying big concepts and bringing in stories/examples, but it’s also a hard read. It’s like being personally counseled and cuts straight to the heart.
If you want to be challenged to get to the root of your unhappiness, anger, anxiety, whatever… dig into this book and slowly start applying it! It’s only when we see how offensive/awful/unsatisfying our idols are before the Lord that we are able to repent of them, put Him back on the thrown and start seeing true change in our lives.
If you want to be challenged to get to the root of your unhappiness, anger, anxiety, whatever… dig into this book and slowly start applying it! It’s only when we see how offensive/awful/unsatisfying our idols are before the Lord that we are able to repent of them, put Him back on the thrown and start seeing true change in our lives.
May 8, 2024
Good book! Super revealing when it comes to idols of the heart- especially ones you didn’t even know you had. This read really emphasized the importance of daily confessing and repenting of the idols we hold so closely so that the Lord can receive all the glory He rightly deserves and so that we are more satisfied in return. Having and serving idols really is more draining than we realize, which was another major topic mentioned. This book also practically showed how to find hidden idols and laid out the action steps needed in order to forsake them.
Here’s the definition of an idol that Bigney offers up several times throughout the book, and one I think is worth considering daily when judging the heart:
“An idol is anything or anyone that captures our hearts, minds, and affections more than God.”
Here’s the definition of an idol that Bigney offers up several times throughout the book, and one I think is worth considering daily when judging the heart:
“An idol is anything or anyone that captures our hearts, minds, and affections more than God.”
October 16, 2018
A very good book on hidden idols that I enjoyed a lot. Really gets you thinking about the heart. Would recommend!
February 15, 2023
The pastor of our church wrote this book. It is a total gut punch and awesome book regarding idolatry. It does a great job of painting a picture of idols in our lives, the impact they have, and the how to control them. Everyone has idols whether they realize it or not and this book does a great job of bringing them to the light through scripture, external sources, and life examples. Very easy to understand and apply within minutes of reading!
April 7, 2020
This is one of the few books that has completely changed my life.
Growing up, I had always considered the battle with sin to be simple, yet almost impossible. I thought that if I had an anger issue, I was simply to memorize verses about not being angry. This book examines sin and despair resulting from sin much more in-depth, and in doing so, brought so much hope and joy to my life.
I had never considered the Bible's topic of "idols of the heart" before reading this book, but the theme is critical to understand how to truly follow Christ and fight sin.
I have read this book three times, and each time it has brought new insights and hope to my life. Everyone should read this book - especially if you are in a place of despair, hopelessness, or self-perceived failure. Because as you'll see in the book, we were created to worship Christ the Lord and we can only find true peace and joy when our hearts submit to Him, instead of chasing after our own desires and worthless idols.
Growing up, I had always considered the battle with sin to be simple, yet almost impossible. I thought that if I had an anger issue, I was simply to memorize verses about not being angry. This book examines sin and despair resulting from sin much more in-depth, and in doing so, brought so much hope and joy to my life.
I had never considered the Bible's topic of "idols of the heart" before reading this book, but the theme is critical to understand how to truly follow Christ and fight sin.
I have read this book three times, and each time it has brought new insights and hope to my life. Everyone should read this book - especially if you are in a place of despair, hopelessness, or self-perceived failure. Because as you'll see in the book, we were created to worship Christ the Lord and we can only find true peace and joy when our hearts submit to Him, instead of chasing after our own desires and worthless idols.
April 28, 2023
This book will work on your heart and change your perspective on a few things—especially what we make idols of our hearts. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to grow their faith and expose areas that need to be addressed. Brad helps you identify areas in your life where you have made an accidental idol in your heart and gives you the tools to consistently remove those idols and grow your relationship with Christ.
November 9, 2015
Scripture references, anecdotes and quotes gave the book some heft. The last quarter of the book felt redundant.
January 18, 2021
“But when you understand the freedom that comes in being brought low by a loving God, you can revel in him and say, “here I am at my lowest point, along with all those who have reviled God and turned away from him. I am here and I’m happy, because here’s my savior, here’s grace, here’s the cross””
“God is good, but he’s not safe. He will mess with your life – not just to be messing with it, but to conform you to the image of Christ. Yet the flesh wants to remove such uneasiness from your Christian walk, and idols offer a way to do it. But it’s a lie, a false promise. Because idols don’t deliver.”
“God is good, but he’s not safe. He will mess with your life – not just to be messing with it, but to conform you to the image of Christ. Yet the flesh wants to remove such uneasiness from your Christian walk, and idols offer a way to do it. But it’s a lie, a false promise. Because idols don’t deliver.”
February 23, 2025
Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney is one of the most practical and convicting books I’ve read, and I found myself highlighting passage after passage. As God has been revealing idols in my heart through trials, this book has been both challenging and deeply helpful. Bigney defines an idol as anything or anyone that captures our hearts, minds, and affections more than God—a truth that applies to all believers, but especially to those wrestling through struggles. The book is thoroughly gospel-centered, constantly pointing back to God’s Word as the source of Truth.
March 3, 2024
I started this book with a comfortability in myself thinking a book about idols isn't gonna take me to the trenches of heart reevaluation... surely not. Was I dead wrong! if you want a book that really succeeds in going above and beyond to point out how idol stricken a person you are do yourself a favor and read this one. (Also bros kinda hilarious so you'll def feel like dirt but at least you're laughing occasionally)
June 1, 2024
This is really a 4.5 star read. This is a great book and really has a counseling feel. It made me think of my own idols and unexpectedly my kids' idols. Not in a super critical way, but did leave me pondering not only why I DO WHAT I DO, but when my kids have struggling sin habits, why THEY DO WHAT THEY DO.
February 24, 2025
I read and discussed this book with a friend, and I can’t emphasize enough how good it is. Bigney vulnerably and boldly speaks truth that aligns with scripture and uses life experiences and God’s word to pierce your heart and help you understand how to discover and uproot idols you were blind to in your heart. I highly recommend that every Christian read this book with another believer!!
November 29, 2018
Probably the best non-fiction book I've read in a few years. Gets right at the heart of our issues as humans - idolatry. Don't read this book unless you're ready for some intense self-reflection and repentance. However, it's written in a way that is easy to read, with lots of good examples from the author's life, and it never gets repetitive (which most Christian books do). I highly recommend this and plan on re-reading it often.
November 12, 2021
I enjoyed this book.
It challenged me spiritually and showed me idols. It’s solutions to fixing idols was a little lacking. The author is excellent at connecting sins to the root sins (ie. Pornography, overeating, excessive video gaming m to pleasure). The book was a little receptive in certain chapters also.
It challenged me spiritually and showed me idols. It’s solutions to fixing idols was a little lacking. The author is excellent at connecting sins to the root sins (ie. Pornography, overeating, excessive video gaming m to pleasure). The book was a little receptive in certain chapters also.
March 21, 2025
The chapter on the idol of identity literally took me a few weeks to get through - obviously a major idol of mine and I needed time to absorb all Bigney had written. This is an excellent book for all believers.
October 25, 2025
Convicting? Absolutely! Confusing? Kind of. There is a big idea here of worldly idols and even idols that look to be “godly”. I’m definitely putting this out there as a suggestion to my small group as our next Bible study. I’d like to reread and really take notes on each chapter.
February 20, 2019
This is on my top 5 list! Easy to read, direct to the heart...Bigney, please write another book!
June 2, 2020
Excellent book. Probably the best book on Christian Living I’ve read. Would be a great resource for personal spiritual growth or in premarital counseling.
November 16, 2021
Great, short summary of the danger of idolatry. Highly recommend.
March 15, 2023
This book scrapes the stuff stuck on the walls of your heart that you have gotten use to carrying around. I have never read anything quite like this book. I dare you to read it.
July 6, 2023
Soooo goooooood
July 28, 2023
Very challenging and humbling if you desire to be submissive to God and his plan for your life. Root motives are in the crosshairs.
September 6, 2024
This book is practical and has reflection questions that are unusually helpful.
A good one to come back to periodically for a re-read.
A good one to come back to periodically for a re-read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews