Baal and the Gods of More

Rescuing Church Growth from Idolatry

Andrew Root

• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9781493454884
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

Why the Endless Pursuit of "More" Won't Save the Church

In an era of church decline, pastors and ministry leaders face intense pressure to grow--more attendance, more influence, more reach, more budget. But what if this relentless pursuit of "more" is actually a form of modern idolatry?

In Baal and the Gods of More, leading practical theologian Andrew Root challenges everything you thought you knew about church growth and success. You'll discover how to

● identify the hidden idolatry embedded in modern church growth strategies and learn why bigger isn't always better in God's kingdom;
● understand the historic roots of America's church growth obsession through economic theory, cultural philosophy, and the industrial revolution's lasting impact;
● break free from toxic comparison and the exhausting cycle of innovation, influence-seeking, and numbers-driven ministry that's burning out church leaders;
● rediscover biblical wisdom from 1 and 2 Kings that reveals how ancient Israel's fertility god worship mirrors today's church growth addiction; and
● embrace a radical alternative focused on divine action, relational encounter, and theological depth.

Root reveals how Protestant churches have become dangerously dependent on growth-driven stabilization, a mindset inherited from the industrial revolution's golden era. He draws striking parallels between ancient Israel's worship of Baal and other fertility gods and the contemporary church's obsession with expansion. Just as the Israelites turned to false gods promising abundance, today's church often looks to secular methodologies, innovation strategies, and growth techniques as saviors.

This provocative book argues that creativity, innovation, and endless strategizing won't save declining churches. Instead, Root calls the church back to dependence on divine action and genuine relational encounter with the Word of God.

Perfect for pastors, church leaders, students, and anyone concerned about authentic ministry in a post-Christian culture, this book offers a theologically grounded path forward that trades growth metrics for God's presence.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Endorsements
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• 1. Memes and Museums: Realizing the Church Has an Idolatry Problem
• 2. What’s So Bad About Growth?: Dynamic Stabilization as Modernity’s New Fertility System
• 3. The Machine and the GDP God: How the Special Century and the Christian Century Got Us Addicted to Growth
• 4. Techno-Optimists and Identitarians Take Over the Church: How Baal Becomes Modern and Embedded in Protestantism
• 5. The Disobedience of a Lost Golden Age: Reading 1–2 Kings Next to Protestant Decline
• 6. You, Mother!: A Sweet Apocalyptic Relationality
• Image Credits
• Index
• Back Cover