---
product_id: 1355917
title: "Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters"
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reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.hu/products/1355917-counterfeit-gods-the-empty-promises-of-money-sex-and-power
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---

# Published 2011, timeless relevance #1 in Presbyterian Christianity 248 pages of deep insight Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters

**Price:** 22873 Ft
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🔥 Break free from fake idols and reclaim your true worth 📖

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- **What is this?** Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
- **How much does it cost?** 22873 Ft with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hu](https://www.desertcart.hu/products/1355917-counterfeit-gods-the-empty-promises-of-money-sex-and-power)

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## Key Features

- • **Hope Beyond the Hype:** Offers a refreshing perspective that breaks the cycle of people-pleasing and moral performance, inviting authentic healing and grace.
- • **Proven Bestseller Status:** Join over 2,800 readers who rated it 4.8/5, making it a trusted guide in Christian personal and spiritual growth.
- • **Relatable Real-Life Examples:** Keller blends contemporary stories with biblical narratives, making ancient wisdom strikingly relevant to today’s chaotic culture.
- • **Intellectual & Emotional Depth:** Perfect for millennials craving a faith book that respects their intellect and addresses real-world struggles with grace and honesty.
- • **Transformative Spiritual Insight:** Keller exposes the hidden idols shaping your life, challenging you to rethink success, love, and power through a biblical lens.

## Overview

Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller is a 248-page paperback that critically examines the false promises of money, sex, and power, offering a biblically grounded path to hope and spiritual renewal. Published in 2011 and a #1 bestseller in Presbyterian Christianity, it combines sharp intellect with heartfelt storytelling to challenge and inspire readers seeking deeper meaning beyond cultural idols.

## Description

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters [Keller, Timothy] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters

Review: Worth the Read, Especially for Students - Keller delivers a great read with "Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters". Known for his great writing skill and intellect, Tim Keller continues to produce biblically sound material that strikes at the heart. Keller is precise and careful, aware of how the human heart responds to the stimulus of this world. He defines a counterfeit god as "anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living." The book examines five main idols that face Christians and non-Christians today including love and sex, money, and success and power. Using a blend of real life examples (and shocking ones at that) and bible stories, Keller meticulously leads the reader into evaluating these issues from God's perspective. The perfect blend of modern-day and biblical stories are used to translate biblical principles into the language of our contemporary consciousness. Keller courageously tackles the issue of religious idols. He looks at the scarcely examined idol of doctrinal accuracy and moral self-righteousness in a very understandable manner. A great storyteller in his own right, Keller relays the story of Jonah and goes beyond the usual plotline that children often hear in Sunday school. He examines the depth of Jonah's religious idolatry, something that is often forgotten or overlooked. I found this chapter very helpful in examining my own heart issues, my own idols and my own fears. It was encouraging to be able to acknowledge my own shortcomings and be set on a path to replace my own idols with the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. One of the most convicting chapters, especially for college students like myself, is his chapter titled "The Seduction of Success." In it he describes the deception of success in this particularly chaotic and backwards time. Keller uses the oft read yet rarely examined passage in 2 Kings 5:1-14. He looks at the successful life of Naaman, noting his backwards approach to God's sovereign blessing. It was eye-opening to witness the impact that success truly has upon a person's life and the blindness it inflicts. Especially in a society where students are pushed to the limit for the sake of a career or job security, Keller's chapter on success was a humbling, paradigm-shifting experience. After reading this chapter, I see our world and it's culture for what it is in opposition to the promises of God. Though I haven't read Keller's previous two books, if Counterfeit Gods is indicative of the insight he brings I'll be sure to pick them up sooner rather than later. This book was extremely helpful in identifying my own idols. Keller provides insight, biblical support, and solutions that are God-centered. This is a book for all Christians and non-Christians alike because we all struggle with idols that negatively affect our spiritual lives. I would specifically recommend this book to college students based on the content. Keller articulates his points in an intellectual manner which is appealing to Christians who think faith concepts are too watered-down in most books. If you're hoping to be challenged spiritually and intellectually, you've met your match in this book.
Review: Not what I thought...its really about outlook and relationships - This was not an easy book to read....I got this book after reading the Reason for God and having serious doubts in my faith due to a string of really bad life experiences in the past 4 years: miscarriage, infidelity, divorce, depression, loss of multiple friendships, death of youngest sibling, the list goes on .... and I'm one of those people who did their best to please God and live a good Christian life style. Yet despite my efforts life just kept hitting me with some really hard punches. After reading the Reason for God last month I was at least convinced that God was real but I was still struggling to understand my life and what happened to me and WHY. I saw counterfeit gods and saved it in my to buy list on desertcart for many months. I was uncertain about reading it fearing it would just make me more angry with religion than I already was. So I took a risk and eventually downloaded it.... After the first chapter I wasn't sure I liked it... the examples given seemed to say that if you weren't fortunate enough to end up with good relationships it was somehow due to your lust and idolatry. The Leah Jacob Rachel marriage debacle didn't help because of the many hot messes in the bible that God allowed its a pretty big one. Its also probably one of the most misinterpreted bible stories used tell women to stay in unloving unfaithful marriages because God will bless them.... Or that ongoing debate of how not wanting to be single and wanting a stable marriage and a family makes you either ungrateful, desperate, or lacking in faith. Despite my opposition I kept reading....I'm glad I did....., the book got MUCH better the explanation of idols as not something we do wrong but actually the foundation of all sin and original sin was the catalyst for idolatry, the desire to live apart from God and manage our own lives as if we can control something..... The concept that in this broken world so many factors play into the lives we end up with and lack of FAITH has NOTHING to do with it was like taking a breath of fresh clean air. That one negative belief that has kept me in bondage for YEARS is that I can earn brownie points with God by being a good church going, tithe paying, Sunday school teaching, bible reading, Christian only music listening, modest dressing, polite, abstaining Christian woman. Finally a pastor was admitting that life isn't all about moral behavior and you can't earn your way into blessings or God's mercy and grace. Don't get me wrong I think moral behavior is important but it has to be for the right reasons , which is to glorify God, frankly most examples I had seen were based on getting human approval or people pleasing which is a form of idolatry. He discussed this in excellent detail. He went over every area of idolatry and male and female idolatry and really explored this basic sin. He even admitted to maintain his own idolatry and that its an ongoing process.... for the first time in years I didn't feel like a lonely loser Christian who somehow didn't have faith the right way to not have a crap life.... In the end I not only understood the idols in my life that I needed to work on but I had a renewed hope in God that despite I was 40 divorced single and childless I still have worth in Gods eyes. But God doesn't judge me and he loves me and sees how hard I try. I just have to work on letting God love me in the ways the humans in my life haven't and healing is waiting for me if I'm willing to let go of what the world/church says my life is supposed to look like... God Always will love me and Always has I just couldn't see it because I placed to much importance on my human relationships for happiness. Don't get me wrong I'm not going to become a hermit. I will however be thankful for the family and friends I have left, and focus on replacing my idols with the love God has always had for me. With each passing day being alone is not feeling so lonely. Thanks for this book. If anyone who reads this has experienced any life hardships or doubts or you are just feeling lost in life then read this book... its really surprisingly nothing like what I expected at all and I'm so thankful for that. Tip: Be sure to check the footnotes esp on kindle he gives a lot of information for further study to let go of idols and experience God love, as well as, he gives good points that can't fit in the book. He took one section about the slave girl when discussing power and pride idolatry and in the notes was very clear that taking abuse or neglect was not acceptable and that biblical times had certain standards. All I can say is if you are struggling in your relationships in life or your relationships with God read this book

## Features

- Author: Keller, Timothy.
- Publisher: Penguin Books
- Pages: 248
- Publication Date: 2011-10-04
- Edition: Reprint
- Binding: Paperback
- MSRP: 0.00
- ISBN13: 9781594485497
- ISBN: 1594485496
- Other ISBN: 9781101148877
- Other ISBN Binding: e
- Language: en

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #9,532 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Presbyterian Christianity #152 in Christian Personal Growth #282 in Christian Spiritual Growth (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 2,826 Reviews |

## Images

![Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91mzoKMAHgL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Worth the Read, Especially for Students
*by B***G on February 17, 2010*

Keller delivers a great read with "Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters". Known for his great writing skill and intellect, Tim Keller continues to produce biblically sound material that strikes at the heart. Keller is precise and careful, aware of how the human heart responds to the stimulus of this world. He defines a counterfeit god as "anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living." The book examines five main idols that face Christians and non-Christians today including love and sex, money, and success and power. Using a blend of real life examples (and shocking ones at that) and bible stories, Keller meticulously leads the reader into evaluating these issues from God's perspective. The perfect blend of modern-day and biblical stories are used to translate biblical principles into the language of our contemporary consciousness. Keller courageously tackles the issue of religious idols. He looks at the scarcely examined idol of doctrinal accuracy and moral self-righteousness in a very understandable manner. A great storyteller in his own right, Keller relays the story of Jonah and goes beyond the usual plotline that children often hear in Sunday school. He examines the depth of Jonah's religious idolatry, something that is often forgotten or overlooked. I found this chapter very helpful in examining my own heart issues, my own idols and my own fears. It was encouraging to be able to acknowledge my own shortcomings and be set on a path to replace my own idols with the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. One of the most convicting chapters, especially for college students like myself, is his chapter titled "The Seduction of Success." In it he describes the deception of success in this particularly chaotic and backwards time. Keller uses the oft read yet rarely examined passage in 2 Kings 5:1-14. He looks at the successful life of Naaman, noting his backwards approach to God's sovereign blessing. It was eye-opening to witness the impact that success truly has upon a person's life and the blindness it inflicts. Especially in a society where students are pushed to the limit for the sake of a career or job security, Keller's chapter on success was a humbling, paradigm-shifting experience. After reading this chapter, I see our world and it's culture for what it is in opposition to the promises of God. Though I haven't read Keller's previous two books, if Counterfeit Gods is indicative of the insight he brings I'll be sure to pick them up sooner rather than later. This book was extremely helpful in identifying my own idols. Keller provides insight, biblical support, and solutions that are God-centered. This is a book for all Christians and non-Christians alike because we all struggle with idols that negatively affect our spiritual lives. I would specifically recommend this book to college students based on the content. Keller articulates his points in an intellectual manner which is appealing to Christians who think faith concepts are too watered-down in most books. If you're hoping to be challenged spiritually and intellectually, you've met your match in this book.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not what I thought...its really about outlook and relationships
*by M***E on January 26, 2016*

This was not an easy book to read....I got this book after reading the Reason for God and having serious doubts in my faith due to a string of really bad life experiences in the past 4 years: miscarriage, infidelity, divorce, depression, loss of multiple friendships, death of youngest sibling, the list goes on .... and I'm one of those people who did their best to please God and live a good Christian life style. Yet despite my efforts life just kept hitting me with some really hard punches. After reading the Reason for God last month I was at least convinced that God was real but I was still struggling to understand my life and what happened to me and WHY. I saw counterfeit gods and saved it in my to buy list on Amazon for many months. I was uncertain about reading it fearing it would just make me more angry with religion than I already was. So I took a risk and eventually downloaded it.... After the first chapter I wasn't sure I liked it... the examples given seemed to say that if you weren't fortunate enough to end up with good relationships it was somehow due to your lust and idolatry. The Leah Jacob Rachel marriage debacle didn't help because of the many hot messes in the bible that God allowed its a pretty big one. Its also probably one of the most misinterpreted bible stories used tell women to stay in unloving unfaithful marriages because God will bless them.... Or that ongoing debate of how not wanting to be single and wanting a stable marriage and a family makes you either ungrateful, desperate, or lacking in faith. Despite my opposition I kept reading....I'm glad I did....., the book got MUCH better the explanation of idols as not something we do wrong but actually the foundation of all sin and original sin was the catalyst for idolatry, the desire to live apart from God and manage our own lives as if we can control something..... The concept that in this broken world so many factors play into the lives we end up with and lack of FAITH has NOTHING to do with it was like taking a breath of fresh clean air. That one negative belief that has kept me in bondage for YEARS is that I can earn brownie points with God by being a good church going, tithe paying, Sunday school teaching, bible reading, Christian only music listening, modest dressing, polite, abstaining Christian woman. Finally a pastor was admitting that life isn't all about moral behavior and you can't earn your way into blessings or God's mercy and grace. Don't get me wrong I think moral behavior is important but it has to be for the right reasons , which is to glorify God, frankly most examples I had seen were based on getting human approval or people pleasing which is a form of idolatry. He discussed this in excellent detail. He went over every area of idolatry and male and female idolatry and really explored this basic sin. He even admitted to maintain his own idolatry and that its an ongoing process.... for the first time in years I didn't feel like a lonely loser Christian who somehow didn't have faith the right way to not have a crap life.... In the end I not only understood the idols in my life that I needed to work on but I had a renewed hope in God that despite I was 40 divorced single and childless I still have worth in Gods eyes. But God doesn't judge me and he loves me and sees how hard I try. I just have to work on letting God love me in the ways the humans in my life haven't and healing is waiting for me if I'm willing to let go of what the world/church says my life is supposed to look like... God Always will love me and Always has I just couldn't see it because I placed to much importance on my human relationships for happiness. Don't get me wrong I'm not going to become a hermit. I will however be thankful for the family and friends I have left, and focus on replacing my idols with the love God has always had for me. With each passing day being alone is not feeling so lonely. Thanks for this book. If anyone who reads this has experienced any life hardships or doubts or you are just feeling lost in life then read this book... its really surprisingly nothing like what I expected at all and I'm so thankful for that. Tip: Be sure to check the footnotes esp on kindle he gives a lot of information for further study to let go of idols and experience God love, as well as, he gives good points that can't fit in the book. He took one section about the slave girl when discussing power and pride idolatry and in the notes was very clear that taking abuse or neglect was not acceptable and that biblical times had certain standards. All I can say is if you are struggling in your relationships in life or your relationships with God read this book

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rendering Worship to the One True God
*by S***8 on May 9, 2015*

Be ready to have your biblical thinking transformed and your pursuit of living pleasing to God radically altered after reading this paradigm shifting book. I have been a Christian for about fifteen years, and few other books have impacted me a greatly as this one. Keller expands the idea of idolatry to anything that someone strives for at all costs, that gives a sense of pleasure, significance, and security. And when a drive for these "idols of the heart" overrides one's drive to pursue, love, and worship God, then it is an idol. The transformation in my thinking came after reading the book and looking at my Christian life through this framework. What really are the idols in my life? I'm sure every reader will, like myself, admit that there are varying idols that we pander to every day, with the major categories being: pride, control, pleasure, possessions, popularity or approval. This book puts worshiping these "idols of the heart" in perspective. Keller does a masterful job in expanding and explaining this theme of "idols of the heart" by drawing from Christian sources (Bible, some biblical counseling), observations of our society, philosophical and historical writers, and pastoral experience. His outstanding ability to pull insights from these sources and present them in an engaging way will, I believe, continue to put Keller's books at the top of the list for explaining and promoting Christian belief and spiritual growth. The end of the book ends appropriately by answering the question that is on the mind of every reader: So how does someone truly worship the one true God in life? He answers by saying the truth that many Christians have heard before but need to hear again in regards to this pivotal question: "This takes what are called 'the spiritual disciplines,' such as private prayer, corporate worship, and meditation. The disciplines take cognitive knowledge and make it a life-shaping reality in our hearts and imaginations." (175). We truly worship God by infusing our lives with His Word which displays the wonder of His character, the Gospel message, tells us how to live pleasing to Him, and by drawing into His presence in prayer as we seek to live for Him in every moment of life. Truly I hope that Keller writes a book on these spiritual disciplines mentioned in his statement that will explain how to live for God in every moment of our lives in greater detail. Every book on Christian spirituality should move readers to render worship to the one true God in spirit and in truth, and this book accomplishes this with great insight and clarity. In the end this is a fantastic book that I highly encourage every Christian to read.

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