Lots of great points here. Over the centuries, we see many instances of syncretism happen within the churches.

I think there is a debate or potential path of discernment on how should Christianity, and to keep it simple, assume this is back in the day of the Apostles… how should Christianity be adopted into a far away culture beyond the Middle East and Eurasia? Does it ‘replace’ the culture? Or maybe there is room for both, but where idol worship, false gods, are rooted out, etc.

IMO, Jesus’s teaching is actually quite simple… it goes to the very heart of the matter, of any matter. Then from there we, as humans, will then have to ‘live it out’ (obviously not easy).

And I find there seems to be a fine line between idolatry and ‘pure’ worship.

I would argue that many Christians today of all denominations idolize ‘The Bible’, or a Symbol / Object .. unintentionally. It spirals into debates and discussion on the ‘letter’ as opposed to the Message.

As for me, it’s simple… who do you follow? Jesus OR (fill in XYZ).