against syncretism—that attempt to blend inharmonious philosophies with their neighbors? Well, His warnings were not without grounds. During the time of the judges, the Hebrews’ greatest sin was that of idolatry, finding more attractive gods next door—keeping up with the Joneses … or the Philistines, the Canaanites, the Sidonians, or the Hivites. The reason why a loving earthly father disciplines his children is because, as painful as the punishment may be, nothing is more painful than the consequence