Libby Smith's Reviews > Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone

So yikes,

I’m never trusting, the person that recommended, this book to me again.

So this book is problematic. To put it mildly, The author essentially, wants you to have a codependent relationship with the church. anything else is not godly enough.


everything, and I mean everything. Hass to be put behind the church, going to church and being involved in church.

according to this author, church, God. should be your only thing in life that matters to you. this is not healthy or sustainable, for the average person.

Quite frankly the level of religious fanaticism. in here is more than people, that Live religious lives, typically show.

You are terrified, you’re not doing well in school and you want to do make up work that’s an idol.


you’re struggling, with a mental health issue, that because you’re in recovery is your so focus. that according to the author is an idol.


I think that this narrative, can be helpful. to an extent and then it just becomes, toxic after that point. this book has, hit that.

Additionally this book is exceptionally boring. Like I read it on twice speed as an audiobook. I could not get through it fast enough.
Not in a good way.
It is obvious to me though, that the author did do serious academic research.
Their dozens of footnotes, cited properly, to actual sources which is really nice to see you in the Christian women’s self-help book world.

Actually just really nice to see Pointblank..

and the author does make some good points, points about how life isn’t going to go according to plan and that’s OK.

But it’s wrapped up in this message of if you are not giving everything and I mean everything to the church you are not good enough. that is a toxic dangerous message

anyWho I didn’t really like it if you wanna read it go for it