At 11:30pm tonight I'll be featured for the third time on ABC's Nightline. A month ago, Terry Moran and a great crew from ABC came to Mars Hill to talk with me about the second commandment. Terry had seen something I had posted on Twitter around the time of Michael Jackson's funeral and wanted to follow up with me on the topic of idolatry in America. I sat down for about 30 minutes with Terry, and we talked about how idolatry underlies all sin, how it is rooted on a false promise of happiness, how it ultimately destroys, how it is often the result of turning a good thing into an ultimate thing, and how it shows itself in our culture in how we idolize celebrities, athletes, food, family, sex, money, relationships, and achievement—or rather, what we call American culture. We also took a drive in my Jeep and discussed some of the cultural idols littering my city. It was a bit precarious for the exceptional cameraman, who stood up in my Jeep while I drove as carefully as possible so as not to kill him. But things went well and we got some great footage of many modern-day temples: strip clubs, Seahawks stadium, Safeco Field, Starbucks headquarters, etc. Most importantly the Nightline team gave me the chance to explain how Jesus is the only answer to all of our idolatry:
- Idols take. Jesus gives.
- Idols destroy life. Jesus gives new life.
- Idols break apart people and relationships. Jesus redeems and heals.
The episode has been pushed five times and was finally confirmed this week. In God's providence and goodness the timing has worked out perfectly, because this week is Mars Hill's 13th anniversary and on Sunday I'm preaching on Acts 17 from the actual Mars Hill in Athens. I'd like to thank ABC and Nightline for doing a creative series on the Ten Commandments and for giving me a shot to talk about one of them. I've really enjoyed working with Terry, Ely, Dan, and the rest of the crews they've brought with them. Please join me in praying that God would work through this to overcome our rebellion and turn all of us—believers and non-believers alike—from our worthless idols to the only true King, Jesus.
