In this lecture, Don Carson discusses Ezekiel’s visions from God in Ezekiel 8–9, which convey Jerusalem’s widespread idolatry and sinfulness. He contrasts the corruptibility of false worship with the necessity of true worship, and he connects the importance of authentic worship to historical awakenings. Carson underscores that without a clear moral vision, society risks decay.
He teaches the following:
- Ezekiel’s denunciation of corrupt worship that relativized God
- How corrupt worship dulls moral vision and invites divine judgment
- The Western world’s interest in worship and search for spirituality
- The idol of jealousy in Ezekiel’s vision as an example of syncretism
- God’s judgment of participants of corrupt worship and his mercy on those who grieve over their sin
- How Ezekiel’s vision shows the moral impetus behind the Great Awakening