--- title: Modern Idols date: 2025-07-08T06:30:00-05:00 author: Jennifer Vermeer canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/modern-idols" section: In All Things --- [ View All Articles](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things) [Series](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things?category=series) Jul 8, 2025 # Modern Idols Tempted to look to our daily lives for fulfillment, we turn God’s good gifts into sources of identity. When our attention drifts from the Lord, even good things like family, career, and rest can become idols, causing us to serve ourselves above our neighbors and God. ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatmodernidolsfeat.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=66&h=57&f=webp&c=73c96e3a&v=1c65536122eab36907794695c940b74b2986d3fd6ba243c0f02e46e220291828) ![]() ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatmodernidols.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=40&h=25&c=452e4d5a&v=b996a7bbfeb3c7276f9e02f5096f870cfe2dec8a16a248ee32f9561a32f9c89c) ## Modern Idols Are we being shaped by the hands of our Creator or molded by the idols we’ve made? [### Making Sense of Modernity Because modern idols often hide within our habits and assumptions, we cannot confront them until we acknowledge the grip culture has on our daily lives. In a world both gifted and flawed by modernity, how do we balance gratitude and discernment? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/making-sense-of-modernity) [### Rethinking Retirement While the world offers retirement as escape, God calls us into enduring service. How might our perspective shift if we viewed every season as an opportunity to serve and worship God rather than a countdown to leisure? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/rethinking-retirement) [### Leading in an AI World: Living Under Lordship In an age of artificial intelligence, the real danger isn’t just what technology can do, but what we allow it to become. Is technology quietly shaping our worship and drawing our gaze away from the One who truly reigns? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/leading-in-an-ai-world-living-under-lordship) [### Called to More: Three Shifts to Keep a Christian Perspective on Our Work When we measure our lives by worldly success, we chase significance that fades. What does it mean to pursue a life of purpose that ultimately glorifies the Lord? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/called-to-more-three-shifts-to-keep-a-christian-perspective-on-our-work) [### Restoring Sacred Priorities: Laying Down the Idol of Family Family is one of God’s greatest blessings, but when it takes precedence over Him, it becomes an idol that distorts our priorities and expectations. Anchoring our identity in the Lord frees us to enjoy family as the gift it was meant to be. Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/restoring-sacred-priorities-laying-down-the-idol-of-family) [### How Can the Church Today Uplift the Family Without Worshipping It? How does language we use about family reflect our view of its value in our lives? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/how-can-the-church-today-uplift-the-family-without-worshipping-it) [### On the Other Hand: The Unity of Contraries in a World of Conflict In an anxious age of hyper-individualism, political polarization, and digital distraction, idolatry often feels indistinguishable from normal life. How might the habit of saying “on the other hand” disrupt our certainties and reorient us to humble and faithful living? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/on-the-other-hand-the-unity-of-contraries-in-a-world-of-conflict) [### That’s So Vanilla: Recovering Wonder in a Culture of Discontent The Lord's abundant goodness surrounds us in every corner of creation, but the world often tempts us to take these blessings for granted. How do we cultivate true contentment in a world that chases endless novelty? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/thats-so-vanilla-recovering-wonder-in-a-culture-of-discontent) [### Reading Deeply: Rethinking How and Why We Read In a world of distraction and fragmented attention, deep reading invites us to reclaim focus, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement. How can we move beyond simply consuming texts to fostering reflective, meaningful connection? Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/reading-deeply-rethinking-how-and-why-we-read) [### Looking for “Deep Rest”: Confronting the Idolatry of Personal Success The restless pursuit of significance through work reveals a deeper spiritual hunger that no amount of success can satisfy. Only by grounding our lives in the grace of God can we learn to say, with peace and confidence, “Enough.” Learn More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/looking-for-deep-rest-confronting-the-idolatry-of-personal-success) --- [Previous Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-defining-creativity.jpg?mode=crop&pos=0.5-0.3936&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=ccf17745&v=4c5e449a9b5dbc8493b79c46fd8883f0e041e90a51fcf30b11f4a57b4a4aa521) Series Aug 19, 2025 ## Defining Creativity The ability to create infuses our lives with depth and purpose, but what does it mean to be creative? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/defining-creativity) [Next Article ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iatadvocacy-newsletter.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=ffcace0e&v=72b12ffb1e157f9be86a49d1bb04f013626ba4e6c2e0db905c3dd0f45b97bcd5) Series May 22, 2025 ## Faithful Advocacy Throughout the Bible, God reveals His heart for justice, mercy, and restoration. How are Christians bringing hope, healing, and flourishing to others in the world today? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/faithful-advocacy) [ ![]() ## In All Things View Articles ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things)