The Talented Idolater: If Cows Had Gods, a Harsh Jesus, and Laughing in the Eschaton

If cows had gods, those gods would look just like cows. So said the philosopher, Xenophanes. He summed up idolatry: thinking God is just like we are. That was the servant’s problem in the Parable of the Talents. He thought his master was a hard, harsh, ruthless man, so he behaved accordingly. Join Chad Bird as he explains how this parable has echoes of Genesis 2-3, fits with the definition of OT idolatry, and beckons the faithful to laugh with joy in the eschaton.