Episode Overview

Title: High Places
Podcast: Simply Put by Ligonier Ministries
Host: Barry Cooper
Date: December 23, 2025

This episode of "Simply Put" explores the biblical and theological term "high places" (Hebrew: bama), discussing its significance in Scripture and drawing practical, everyday parallels for modern listeners. Barry Cooper examines the theme of worship and idolatry—explaining that the most important (and often unnoticed) choice one makes is what or whom to worship. He uses vivid illustrations, a memorable quote from novelist David Foster Wallace, and scriptural parallels to show how ancient struggles over "high places" mirror the ways contemporary people set up idols in their hearts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Foundational Choice: What We Worship

• Opening Illustration: Barry Cooper invites the listener to consider the most significant choice in their life, pointing out that beyond major decisions (like jobs, relationships, or locations), the paramount daily choice is what or whom we worship.
  • "And the frightening thing is, even though this choice will set the entire trajectory of your life, it's possible that you don't even realize that this choice is in your hands, that you have this choice to make. And the choice is you get to choose what to worship." (00:54)

2. Understanding "High Places" in Scripture

• Definition: The Hebrew word bama is often translated as "high place" in the Old Testament. These were elevated locations (natural or man-made) where altars were built and worship—often of idols—was performed (01:10).
• Biblical Significance: While "high place" isn’t always negative, more often it refers to idolatrous worship directly prohibited by God (cf. “You shall have no other gods before me.”).
• Practical Application: Barry warns that even today, people (including Christians) can set up "high places" in their lives—turning things other than God into objects of ultimate devotion.
  • "By which I mean we start looking to these things to give us a sense of self worth or satisfaction... comfort or control." (02:05)

3. Modern Idolatry: Identifying Our "High Places"

• Self-Examination Questions:
  • What do you spend most of your time and money on?
  • What dominates your dreams or nightmares?
  • "That's an object of worship." (02:38)

4. David Foster Wallace on Worship

• Notable Quote: Cooper includes an extended excerpt from novelist David Foster Wallace, highlighting the universality of worship and the consequences of choosing the wrong objects.
  • "You get to decide what to worship. In the day to day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of God to worship is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive." (03:10)
  • Foster Wallace’s warning is echoed point by point for different types of worship (money, beauty, power, intellect), showing their insatiable, destructive nature.

5. The Consequences and Cost of False Worship

• Spiritual Impact: Idolatry—setting up high places—breaks our relationship with God and leads to earthly and eternal consequences.
  • "For one thing, they break our intimacy with the God who gives us life and breath and every good thing we enjoy. And Jesus warns that to live like that will lead to God's judgment and ultimately to hell." (04:36)
• Relentless Demands: Each idol demands ongoing sacrifice:
  • Money: “Sacrifice your time and energy and abilities to get me, and if you don’t get more and more, I’ll make you miserable.” (05:12)
  • Power/Career: “Sacrifice whatever it takes to get the right grades, the right promotion, and keep doing that or I’ll make your life feel meaningless.” (05:23)
  • Approval: “Sacrifice your own convictions, your own integrity, whatever it takes to win the approval of other people... if you do not get that approval, I will make you feel like you’re worthless.” (05:33)

6. The Gospel’s Contrast: Jesus as the True God

• Unique Offer: Jesus is the only one who sacrifices for you, rather than demanding endless sacrifices from you.
  • "But Jesus is the only one who says, I have already sacrificed for you, and it's the only sacrifice you'll ever need." (06:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Barry Cooper:
  • "You get to choose what to worship." (00:57)
  • "When we think of idolatry, of course, we tend to think of primitive folks bowing down to carved statues. But even as people who claim to follow Christ, it can be very easy to inwardly set up high places for ourselves and to start worshipping idols..." (01:53)
• David Foster Wallace (quoted):
  • "Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of God to worship is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive." (03:24)
  • "If you worship money and things, then you'll never feel you have enough... Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you'll always feel ugly... Worship power... Worship your intellect... You'll end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out." (03:36-04:10)
• Barry Cooper (on Jesus):
  • "All other gods demand that you make endless sacrifices for them. But Jesus is the only one who says, I have already sacrificed for you and it's the only sacrifice you'll ever need." (06:01)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–00:55 — Intro and Illustration: Life-changing choices
• 00:56–01:38 — The choice to worship and explanation of “high places” (bama)
• 01:39–02:38 — Modern parallels to ancient idolatry
• 03:10–04:34 — David Foster Wallace quote and implications
• 04:35–05:47 — Consequences of worshipping idols and their relentless demands
• 05:48–06:17 — Gospel contrast: Jesus as the only true God who sacrifices for you

Tone and Style

Barry Cooper’s tone is conversational, approachable, and gently thought-provoking. He combines scriptural insight with relatable illustrations, making complex theological terms accessible and personally relevant.

Summary

In “High Places,” Barry Cooper unpacks the biblical concept of idolatry—how the high places of ancient Israel have direct analogies in modern life. Drawing on cultural commentary and biblical truth, Cooper challenges listeners to consider who or what they are worshipping and why Jesus, unlike all other gods or idols, offers the only true and liberating foundation for worship. The episode serves as both a theological explanation and a pastoral invitation to examine the heart’s “high places” and to find rest in Christ’s finished sacrifice.