In chapter two of Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller addresses the contemporary cultural idol of love an romance. Employing Jacob’s relationships with Rachel and Leah, Keller shows how making romantic love a centering purpose for you life ultimately undermines and even destroys meaningful and healthy relationships. Here are a couple of questions for you as you read and apply the chapter.

Questions

1. What are the stories and movies which feed the graven image of love and romance?
2. Keller exposits Genesis 29. Read that chapter and note any passages which speak to you and any passages which you do not understand or stir up further questions.
3. Each person mentioned in Genesis 29 is dealing with some level of idolatry. What idols do Jacob, Laban, Lean, and Rachel serve?
4. If idolatry can lead you to “break any promise, rationalize any indiscretion, or betray any other allegiance in order to hold onto it”, how does this play out in the character’s lives? How does it play out in your life?
5. Are there gender differences? How do men and women approach their desires and dreams differently? How do men and women approach love and romance differently?
6. What idols do you face? How can you discover what they are?
7. Share a story when you faced cosmic disappointment or disillusionment. How has God employed that circumstance in your life?
8. How does one free one’s heart or self from the love or pursuit of an idol?
9. How does knowing the “true bridegroom” change you?

Resources

• Company, by Stephen Sondheim was shown on Great Performances last
• Thomas Chalmer’s sermon, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection” can be read here.