382: Riley - Our False Gods and Addiction

The Impossible Prize In this episode, we explore The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction, a forthcoming book that examines addiction not just as a habit or illness, but as a form of misplaced worship. We discuss how addiction draws us toward false gods, demanding our devotion and shaping our lives in ways we barely recognize. More than a personal struggle, addiction weaves itself into families, communities, and churches—warping trust, distorting love, and hollowing out the soul. How can we reclaim what has been lost? How do we confront addiction not just physically and mentally, but as a deeply spiritual battle? Join us as we dig into these questions and consider a way forward, one rooted in truth, grace, and the renewal of the whole person.

SHOW NOTES: 

The Impossible Prize (1517) https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize

The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction  https://amzn.to/4h8SD44 

A Theology of Addiction with Donavon Riley (Outside Ourselves) https://www.1517.org/podcast-overview/a-theology-of-addiction-with-donavon-riley

 

More from 1517:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network: https://www.1517.org/donate-podcasts
• 1517 Podcasts: http://www.1517.org/podcasts
• 1517 on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChDdMiZJv8oYMJQQx2vHSzg
• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/1517-podcast-network/id6442751370
• 1517 Events Schedule: https://www.1517.org/events
• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education: https://academy.1517.org/

 

What’s New from 1517:

• Pre-order: Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654791-ditching-the-checklist 
• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1962654753 
• Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781956658484-junk-drawer-jesus
• Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th:
• The Sinner/Saint Lenten Devotional: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781948969130-the-sinnersaint-lenten-devotional 
• Finding Christ in the Straw: A Forty-Day Devotion on the Epistle of James: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781948969154-finding-christ-in-the-straw 

 

More from the hosts:

• Donovan Riley https://www.1517.org/contributors/donavon-riley 
• Christopher Gillespie .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}