---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Idolatry is not holding on to the wrong…"
description: "\"“Idolatry is not holding on to the wrong things; it is holding on to the good things wrongly, including God,” Herbert McCabe, O.P., quoted in Christian..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/joseph-a-heim-250335_good-thing_idolatry-is-not-holding-on-to-the-wrong_204318.jpg"
---

#  Idolatry is not holding on to the wrong things; it is…

![“Idolatry is not holding on to the wrong things; it is holding on to the good things wrongly, including God,” Herbert McCabe, O.P., quoted in Christian Century, August 21, 2013, 21. Any” quote by Joseph A. Heim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/joseph-a-heim-250335_good-thing_idolatry-is-not-holding-on-to-the-wrong_204318.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/joseph-a-heim-250335_good-thing_idolatry-is-not-holding-on-to-the-wrong_204318.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/448/joseph-a-heim-250335_good-thing_idolatry-is-not-holding-on-to-the-wrong_204318.jpg)

> ““Idolatry is not holding on to the wrong things; it is holding on to the good things wrongly, including God,” Herbert McCabe, O.P., quoted in Christian Century, August 21, 2013, 21. Any””

Joseph A. Heim

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Idolatry is misplacing reverence on good things; proper worship should focus on God alone.

**In simple terms:** Misplaced reverence is idolatry.

Key Takeaway

Align worship correctly.

Themes

theology idolatry spirituality

Mood

contemplative serious

Type

theological didactic

When to use this quote

- personal devotion
- church teaching
- interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

religious studies ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- What constitutes “good things” in worship?
- How can one avoid idolatry in daily life?

A Different Perspective

Interpretations of “good things” vary.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/)

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