He won’t allow images of false Gods to exist.
***
I certainly know that the gods worshiped by the ancient Greeks and Romans were false gods, but I do not think that the average person who goes to view them is engaging in any sort of worship of the gods depicted.
People today view these as great works of art and as historical artifacts. Those who created them just had not learned the truth about the one true God, but they knew that there was something mystical outside themselves. I will not hold it against them that they lived in darkness, as I suspect that their intentions were not evil. We, today, are blessed with the opportunity to know of the one true God.
I am confidant that our loving God will not condemn me for appreciating the art of these ancient statues, since he knows that I do not, in any way, believe in these as deities.
BTW, why do you capitalize “gods” when referring to these false gods?
The question was whether or not Christ will allow these things to exist in his kingdom, knowing Paul and the disciples mindset toward these things from scripture. We are warned against those things that inflame the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Of course Paul speaks of those things that “are wise, beautiful and of good report, that we are to dwell on those things”.
I know there were episodes in art history that certain works were ordered...”dressed up” by local and church authorities as they were seen as too explicit. So I know that my questions weren’t the first time these issues were explored.
What sort of art would God allow in his kingdom when he sets it up on Earth? What would the limits be? That is my question. What art will he allow to remain from the past? Those are my rhetorical questions on the subject...I suppose the answers would depend on one’s conscience and belief...to be decided by each individual.(at least until the time comes when God decides for all of us!)
ps: as for the capitalization....slip of the keyboard. I write more on the subject of God and so little on “gods” and idols that it’s just habit to capitalize the G. Call it bad pre-editing. If there is some other nefarious or darkly spiritual reason why I do so...I guess God will have to help ferret that out!