--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An idol is not necessarily something…" description: "\"An idol is not necessarily something concrete, like a golden calf. It can also be something abstract, like matter. Is matter part of the created order?..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/nancy-pearcey-3368_abstract_an-idol-is-not-necessarily-something-con_2353529.png" --- # An idol is not necessarily something concrete, like a… ![“An idol is not necessarily something concrete, like a golden calf. It can also be something abstract, like matter. Is matter part of the created order? Sure it is. So the philosophy of materialism qualifies as an idol in the biblical sense.” quote by Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/nancy-pearcey-3368_abstract_an-idol-is-not-necessarily-something-con_2353529.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/nancy-pearcey-3368_abstract_an-idol-is-not-necessarily-something-con_2353529.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed2/nancy-pearcey-3368_abstract_an-idol-is-not-necessarily-something-con_2353529.png) > “An idol is not necessarily something concrete, like a golden calf. It can also be something abstract, like matter. Is matter part of the created order? Sure it is. So the philosophy of materialism qualifies as an idol in the biblical sense.” [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Idols can be abstract concepts like materialism, which become objects of worship when placed above divine truth. **In simple terms:** Materialism can be an idol. Key Takeaway Examine what you truly value. Themes idolatry materialism philosophy Mood thoughtful critical Type theoretical spiritual When to use this quote - personal belief assessment - educational curricula - faith discussions Key Concepts spiritual hierarchy cultural values Questions to Reflect On - What abstract ideas dominate your life? - How do you differentiate healthy appreciation from idolatry? A Different Perspective Some may argue material progress is not worship but necessity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Biblical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biblical/) [Calves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calves/) [Concrete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concrete/) [Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden/) [Idol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idol/) [Idol Biblical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idol-biblical-5737328/) [Idol Necessarily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idol-necessarily-5737330/) [Idols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idols/) [Materialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/materialism/) [Materialism Qualifies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/materialism-qualifies-5737329/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Materialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-materialism-3485934/) ## Related quotes > [My fundamental axiom of speculative philosophy is that materialism and spiritualism are opposite poles of the same absurdity-the absurdity of imagining that we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/my-fundamental-axiom-of-speculative-philosophy-is-that-materialism/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [Contemporary science is based on the philosophy of materialism, which claims that all reality is material or physical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-sheldrake/contemporary-science-is-based-on-the-philosophy-of-materialism-which/) [Rupert Sheldrake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-sheldrake/) > ['Biblical worldview'. 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