no other Healer

This Christian generation grossly misunderstands the sin of idolatry. Many assume that wood or metal idols which are forbidden in the second commandment, are the only form that is forbidden. The more common idolatry practiced in this age is based on the first of God’s Ten Commandments, where its primary position among the others should not go unnoticed. Note how Jesus responded when asked, “What is the greatest commandment?”

37 “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. Mt 22:37-38 NKJV

In my research, I have read many definitions and commentaries about idolatry as it applies to Jewish and Christian living over the centuries. None of them come close to explaining the sin as well as the one offered in The Large Catechism by Martin Luther. Written in March 1529, it is also freely available in PDF format online.

It is important to understand that idolatry today has less to do with those created things described in the second commandment. In Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller defines idolatry in this way:

“What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”

Only God can heal the sick and diseased. Only God can determine lifespan. Only by obeying God can a believer restore the broken relationship which culminated in sickness, disease, and sometimes death.  “Idolatry is a heart disorder!”

My urgent purpose for sharing this large portion of Luther’s Catechism is to warn 21st-century Christians relying on medicines (and the physicians who prescribe them) that they are committing the grave sins of idolatry and drug use. The quoted Catechism from Luther is in blue ink. My comments and added scripture are in black. They reveal the unmistakable connection between drug use (pharmakeia) and idolatry.

[Lettering from Luther’s Catechism is in blue ink]

Luther’s Catechism: The First Commandment 

“You are to have no other gods before me.” Ex 20:3

“That is, you are to regard me alone as your God. What does this mean, and how is it to be understood? What does “to have a God” mean, or what is God?

            Answer: A “god” is the term for that to which we are to look for all good and in which we are to find refuge in all need. Therefore, to have a god is nothing else than to trust and believe in that one with your whole heart. As I have often said, it is the trust and faith of the heart alone that make both God and an idle. If your faith and trust are right, then your God is the true one period conversely, where your trust is false and wrong, there you do not have the true God. For these two belong together, Faith and God. Anything on which your heart relies and depends, I say, that is really your God.

The intention of this commandment, therefore, is to require true faith and confidence of the heart, which flies straight to the one true God and cling to him alone. What this means is: “see to it that you let me alone be your God, and never search for another.” In other words: “Whatever good thing you lack, look to me for it and seek it from me, and whenever you suffer misfortune and distress, crawl to me and cling to me. I, I myself, will give you what you need and help you out of every danger. Only do not let your heart cling to or rest in anyone else.”

Martin Luther writes that our God is ready and willing to help the Christian out of every danger – including sickness. He does it all Himself. He doesn’t need anyone else. More importantly, “do not let your heart cling or rest in anyone else.”

14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you 15 For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.  Dt 6:14-15 BSB

Considering these commands alone, the common assumption that God uses physicians must be false. Just as the Israelites were forbidden from doing what the pagan peoples did, Christians who use or consult physicians and medicines for their health, healing, and a longer lifespan must consider carefully whether that relationship demonstrates to a “jealous God” that “your heart relies and depends” on a pagan god (lower case g). Look carefully at Mt 13:15 where God promised to heal those who turn to Him, not a physician or poisonous drug!

“For the heart of this people has grown dull, and they barely hear with the ears, and they have closed their eyes, lest ever they should see with the eyes, and they should hear with the ears, and they should understand with the heart, and should turn, and I will heal them.” Berean Literal Bible

“So that it may be understood and remembered, I must explain this a little more plainly by citing some everyday examples of the opposite. There are some who think that they have God and everything they need when they have money and property; they trust in them and boasting them so stubbornly and securely that they care for no one else. They, too, have a god – mammon by name, that is, money and property – on which they set their whole heart. This is the most common idol on earth. Those who have money and property feel secure, happy, and fearless, as if they were sitting in the midst of paradise. On the other hand, those who have nothing doubt and despair as if they knew of no god at all. We will find very few who are cheerful, who do not fret and complain, if they do not have mammon. This desire for wealth clings and sticks to our nature all the way to the grave.”

Many Christians in first world countries believe God has provided medicine and physicians as gifts without considering how their own personal wealth (or insurance) pays for what the poor in the world can’t afford – if they could even access it. Is God only there for those disadvantaged? Do the wealthy Christians believe it is providence that pays for the best doctors and medicines while the poor get God’s inferior treatment?

Realizing that not all readers are a fan of Martin Luther, the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563 by John Calvin is also offered with his answer to “What is idolatry?”

Q&A 95 “Idolatry is having or inventing something in which to put our trust instead of, or in addition to, the only true God who has revealed himself in his Word.”

In total agreement with Martin Luther, Calvin makes three points in this definition that should be explained further. The first is the use of the phrase “instead of.” Calvin writes that the idolator is excluding God completely when they place trust in someone or something other than God. This obviously applies to Jesus as well because Jesus is also God.  The words “in place of Christ” are used to define the word antichrist in 1 John 2:18 where he writes:

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. KJV

Strong’s Concordance and HELPS Word Study agree the definition of anti is “either one who puts himself in the place of, or the enemy (opponent) of the Messiah.” Christ Jesus came to save and heal (both using Greek word sozo) the world, and He proved beyond any doubt He could and would do it without help from physicians or medicines. Yet Christians almost always use medicines prescribed by physicians instead of trusting in Jesus. John wrote in 90 AD “even now are there many antichrists.” Jews, Messianic Jews, and Christians were using medicines prescribed by sorcerers or witches in the first century according to Paul. (Gal 5:19-21) And just like his address to the believers in 1 John 2:18, note that John also refers to them as “children” at the end of his first letter to warn them, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols!” Antichrists are false gods or idols used instead of God.  

                The second point Calvin makes that must be emphasized is the phrase “in addition to.” Some Christians know it is a command to call for the Elders seeking prayer when sick; but assume it is alright with God to “call for” the medicines from their favorite physician provider. What Christians don’t realize is that when God’s servants (apostles, disciples, prophets) did use a tangible remedy in the process of healing, it was always edible. Most of the time the harmless substance was used simply to test obedience without any possible healing benefit. The substances, like water, wine, scented olive oil, or figs were not the poisonous medicines frequently used today. The koine Greek word pharmakeia meant “poisonous medicines or drugs” when it was written in Biblical times, as well as today by the pharmaceutical industry. Medicines are regulated by the FDA and DEA because they are POISONOUS – sometimes killing but frequently addicting or disabling the user.

Where can a Christian find a verse that justifies the use of what God calls poisonous in addition to what God has prescribed in His word? There are a few translations which mention “medicine” which are sometimes referred to by objectors to this teaching, but they are at best inaccurate. More likely, they are intentional errors to mislead or deceive! (Look here for false translations which deceive even born-again Christians into believing medicines are a gift from God and therefore GOOD)

There are numerous warnings against adding to God’s word in the OT and NT (Dt 4:2, Rev 22:18). Calvin states in His definition of idolatry that the true God “reveals Himself in the word.” This is the third point which Calvin made. However, Satan, with God’s permission, has been able to place significant errors in scripture translations. In this way, because the misleading translations are assumed to be true, even the elect are misled into believing medicines and physicians are an exception to Luther’s, and Calvin’s, and Keller’s definition of idolatry. The reader should understand God’s word, as written in the original languages, did not make such an exception. His word reveals God to be our healer (Ex 15:26, Mt 13:15)

For the heart of this people has grown dull, and they barely hear with the ears, and they have closed their eyes, lest ever they should see with the eyes, and they should hear with the ears, and they should understand with the heart, and should turn, and I will heal them. Berean Literal Bible

Notice the promise confirmed by Jesus that He will heal the people if they turn to Him!  Wherever they were going before, they “should turn!” This is not medicinal healing that Jesus promises. It is supernatural healing (iaomai) that both heals and saves! God’s REMEDY does not require man-made medicines.

Martin Luther has many additional points to make about idolatry in the rest of his exposition on the first commandment.

So, too, those who boast of great learning, wisdom, power, prestige, family, and honor and who trust in them [money and property] have a god also, but not the one, true God. Notice again how presumptuous, secure, and proud people are when they have such possessions, and how despondent they are when they lack them or when they are taken away. Therefore, I repeat, the correct interpretation of this commandment is that to have a god is to have something in which the heart trusts completely.

Is it surprising that Luther was able to see this character flaw in Christians 500 years ago? There was an uproar in this country when President Obama made plans that might change peoples’ health plans and doctors. They cried out against it thinking their favorite physician and medicines might not be available under the new system. Why, if Christians believe God works through physicians and medicines, should they expect different quality of care – a different outcome – from physicians not chosen by them? Such thinking comports with Luther’s reference to a god of the idolatrous Christian’s making. The true God will not work through your god because your god practices abominations (false prophesy, casting lots, necromancy, and other occult arts). (See sorcery article here)

Again, look at what we used to do in our blindness under the papacy (Pope). Anyone who had a toothache fasted and called on St. Apollonia; those who worried about their house burning down appealed to Saint Laurence as their patron; if they were afraid of the plague, they made a vow to Saint Sebastian or Roch. There were countless other such abominations, and everyone selected his own saint and worshiped him and invoked his help in time of need. In this category also belong those who go so far as to make a pact with the devil so that he may give them plenty of money, help them in love affairs, protect their cattle, recover lost property, etc., as magicians and sorcerers do. All of them placed their heart and trust elsewhere than in the true God, from whom they neither expect nor seek any good thing.

The “etc.” mentioned above in Luther’s list of needs include health, healing, and a full lifespan which God promises those who serve Him. (Ex 23:25-26) Despite God calling pharmaceuticals and sorcerers an abomination, commanding the Israelites to kill any sorceress living among them (Ex 22:18), impatient or dissatisfied Jews also went to other gods, made idols of wood and metal, and employed numerous occult practitioners of magic, sorcery, and witchcraft. They employed them (turned to them) to take away sickness, avoid miscarriages, and provide a full life span. Christians who are dependent on their physician today do not want to believe Luther’s reference to seeking help from a physician for healing is equivalent to “making a pact with the devil.” The only alternative to the true God on this earth is Satan. Satan is standing behind anything and anyone that offers to supply what God, Lord willing, has already promised. What God wills is for the Christian’s good. However, when God’s “good thing” isn’t satisfactory or sufficient, their covetousness will lead to idolatry.  Covetousness: lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best (beyond His preferred-will).

Therefore put to death the members which are upon the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry, Col 3:5 Berean Literal Bible

Is it possible for a Christian to covet – desire or lust after – more lifespan or more health than a neighbor? Where does the unbelieving neighbor go for health, healing, and a full lifespan? If so, does the Christian’s will comport with God’s will? Where – with whom – does an obedient Christian place their heart and trust?

Thus, you can easily understand what and how much this commandment requires, namely, that one’s whole heart and confidence be placed in God alone, and in no one else. To have a God, as you can well imagine, does not mean to grasp him with your fingers, or to put him into a purse, or to shut him up in a box. Rather, you lay hold of God when your heart grasps him and clings to him. To cling to him with your heart is nothing else than to entrust yourself to him completely. He wishes to turn us away from everything else apart from him, and to draw us to himself, because he is the one, eternal good. It is as if he said: “What you formally sought from the Saints, or what you hoped to receive from mammon or from anything else [physicians and medicines], turn to me for all this; look on me as the one who will help you and lavish all good things upon you richly.”

Look, here you have the true honor and worship that pleases God, which God also commands under penalty of eternal wrath, namely, that the heart should know no other consolation or confidence than in him, nor let itself be torn from him, but for his sake should risk everything and disregard everything else on earth. On the other hand, you will easily see and judge how the world practices nothing but false worship and idolatry. There has never been a nation so wicked that it did not establish and maintain some sort of worship. All people have set up their own god, to whom they looked for blessings, help, and comfort.

For example, the pagans, who put their trust in power and dominion, exalted Jupiter as their supreme god. Others, who strove for riches, happiness, pleasure, and the good life, venerated Hercules, Mercury, Venus, or others, while pregnant women worshipped Diana or Lucina karma and so forth: thus, everyone made that his god to which his heart was inclined, so that even in the mind of the pagan to have a god means to trust and believe. The trouble is that their trust is false and wrong, for it is not placed in the only God, apart from whom there truly is no God in heaven or on earth. Accordingly, the pagans actually fashion their own fancies and dreams about God into an idol and rely on an empty nothing. So it is with all idolatry. Idolatry does not consist merely of erecting an image and praying to it, but it is primarily a matter of the heart, which fixes its gaze upon other things and seeks help and consolation from creatures [humans], saints, or devils. It neither cares for God nor expects good things from him sufficiently to trust that he wants to help, nor does it believe that whatever good it encounters comes from God.

The deceived Christian will claim that the good they receive from their physician and their prescriptions is a gift from God. Luther makes it clear that their trust is false and wrong because the Christian must also develop trust, faith, and belief in their physician and whatever medicines they prescribe – medicines which God neither chose nor authorized. Luke was not a Greek secular healer (translated as physician). If he was one who had studied at the Kos Asklepion medical school and had taken the Hippocratic oath to Greek gods (Asclepius and Apollo), he could do nothing for the sick when compared to the authorized Apostles. The healers of the first century, trained in Hippocrates’ theory of disease, rarely used poisonous medicines. “First do no harm” was a part of the oath they took.  Jesus gave the Apostles the authority to heal – not secular healers who not only withhold due glory to God or Jesus, but they also expect payment – even when their remedy or treatment fails.

Let each and everyone, then, see to it that you esteem this commandment above all things and not make light of it. Search and examine your own heart thoroughly, and you will discover whether or not it clings to God alone. If you have this sort of heart that expects from him nothing but good, especially in distress and need, and renounces and forsakes all that is not God, then you have the one, true God. On the contrary, if your heart clings to something else and expects to receive from it more good and help than from God and does not run to God but flees from him when things go wrong, then you have another god, an idol.

The born-again Christian must examine their own heart. For example, “How do you feel when medicines or the physicians fail to make you well?” Many will blame God as well as the physician, but unlike what Luther states here, I suspect fleeing from God may be an extreme reaction. However, Luther is correct if the sick Christian seeks an alternate remedy – physician, medicine, or false god without first considering what part the true God, their own sins, or Satan himself may have played in their failed response to treatment. Despite Luther’s disputable opinion about fleeing God, Jesus would say it is impossible to serve God and any physician.

No one is able to serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and he will love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and mammon Mt 6:24

The remainder of Martin Luther’s teaching on the first commandment and idolatry is less relevant to the purpose of this article. Part of it will be found in my article which reveals Christians are mistaken to believe medicines and physicians are a gift from God. Rather than a gift from God, allopathic medical physicians (who primarily use prognosis and poisonous drugs to treat patients) are a curse against Christians, Messianic Jews, and Hebrews straight from the prince of the air!

CONCLUSION

According to Scripture, as taught by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and numerous other Bible expositors of the First Commandment, the sin of idolatry is having someone or something in which to put our trust instead of, or in addition to, the only true God who has revealed himself in his Word. While there are many Christians who will refuse to believe physicians and medicines can become those idols, they have no Biblical support for their belief. Poisonous medicines or drugs, legal or illegal, have the same effect on Christians and pagans alike. Not only has the believer consulted the licensed dealer of such medicines and drugs, seeking a solution (remedy) for their physical and/or emotional ills, but they have also trusted in them either instead of or in addition to God.

The only escape from medical idolatry – with its eternal punishment – is to turn back to God through Jesus our Savior and Healer.

“…they should understand with the heart, and should turn, and I will heal them.” Mt 13:15 Berean Literal Bible

While that may involve increased suffering for a time, and possibly even death of the mortal body, calling for the elders as God commanded will ensure eternal health and salvation as part of God’s family. To continue in the idolatry until the last breath will require God’s mercy to avoid the consequence of eternal damnation outside the Kingdom of God. (Rev 22:15) The fact that the sin of pharmakeia (using drugs) is listed adjacent to the sin of idolatry in Rev 22:15, 21:8, and Gal 5:20 reveals the association between them.

Further for some who believe this doesn’t affect them, no Christian can be assumed to be forgiven for these sins by God because they were once saved. Even devils believe God is One (James 2:19).

Do not be deceived! Christians must demonstrate they believe by their actions. Trusting in God alone to heal by His prescribed method is that required action!

 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, [you must] confess your sins to one another, and [you must] pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.

A PRAYER FOR A CHANGE OF HEART

A woman named Verneda Lights wrote in her blog on idolatry 3/15/2012 the following prayer:

Heavenly Father, forgive me for looking to anyone but you for the solutions to my problems and direction in my life. Lord, forgive me for the many ways I have sold my birthright for food, drugs, sex and the approval of family and friends. Forgive me for being willingly deceived. Lord God, grant me freedom from bondage to idols, sorcery and drugs this day. By the power of the Holy Spirit grant me the desire and ability to “walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” These things I ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen & Amen!

Please, pray this prayer daily! Call the Elders according to James 5:14-18! Ask for more patience. Ask for more faith! Tell your physician or street-drug dealer what you must now do because you are a child of God! “Dear Children, keep yourselves from idols.”