Be The Fruit

Idolatry Thursday – “Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave” – Book Review

by Bill Blair on 26/06/08 at 7:17 am

I have included the following book review on “Idolatry Thursday” because in this book, Ed Welch argues that addictions are primarily sins of idolatry (along with others) and not diseases as they are called by most today.  Many may disagree with this point, but I ask you to consider this:  Would you ever send a person with cancer to a 12-step program?  Welch argues that addictions are life-enslaving sins that are seemingly out of our control. 

I may touch on the subject myself later, but here is a brief review of the book if you are interested in digging into the subject.

In Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave, Edward T. Welch lays out a Biblical view of addictions. The author states his goal in writing the book is to “show how the theological riches of the Bible speak practically and meaningfully to the problem of addictions” (88).

The key principle taught in this book is that the Bible always views addictions as sin and never as sickness (22). The secular view of addictions is that they are sicknesses, and certainly the uncontrollable nature of them makes them appear to be sicknesses. Welch points out, however the “sickness” is truly a voluntary slavery to sin (33). The basic principle of sin is that it is both voluntary yet enslaving. What may begin as a choice to sin by indulging in the drug of choice turns into something that controls an addict’s entire life. It is at this point when the addiction becomes the god of an addict’s life, which means that the addict is committing the sin of idolatry (47). Welch explains that its core, addiction is a “worship disorder” in that we are worshiping the object of addiction rather than God (251).

Once it is established that addiction is sin, it follows that the only solution can be found in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The author explains that all change begins and ends with Jesus (142). It is the sacrifice of Jesus that makes it possible to overcome the slavery of sin. The key to this book is showing that the Bible views addictions as sin. It is the key principle because once we know that it is a sin, we know that it can be overcome through Jesus.

I think Welch is correct in his view.  If you watch someone abusing themselves with a drug or alcohol, you will have no doubt that such action is a sin.  Read this book and dig into the topic.