We all talked about this in our Bible discussion group and came to the conclusion that it was ok to have pictures of Christ hanging on the wall to remind us of our Saviour.
Posted on 03/03/2011 4:14:23 PM PST by Gamecock
Question:
A previous answer on the Q&A page stated, in part, "The Second Commandment forbids the making of images in order to worship them." Does that mean it is OK to have images of God or Christ so long as we do not worship them?
Answer:
Your question concerning the second commandment is appropriate. It is quite common to fail to recognize the clear distinction between the first and the second commandments. It is the first commandment that forbids the worship of any other than the true God. It is concerned, in other words, with whom we worship. But the second commandment is concerned with how we worship. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism says in question and answer 51:
Q. What is forbidden in the second commandment? A. The second commandment forbiddeth the worshiping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his word.
The answer to your specific question, then, is that it is not OK "to have images of God or Christ" even though "we do not worship them." The fact is that the only accurate and reliable "portrait" of Christ is the word portrait that God has given us in the Bible. The simple truth is that no one knows how to draw, paint or sculpt an accurate likeness of Jesus as he appeared while he was on earth. And the description of his present heavenly appearance as John the apostle saw him (Rev. 1) is not such as to provide a basis for such reproductions. What we need, in other words, is to have "the eyes of our understanding" opened to "see" in a spiritual manner the revelation that God has given us in the inspired scriptures
Interesting read from our FRiends at the OPC.
What did he look like? There’s no physical description of him anywhere in the Bible.
“forbids the making of images in order to worship them”
It’s a very interesting point.
What about crosses?
Are you a Reformed Christian? If not please honor the caucus designation.
I’m not big on ‘em
We don’t know what Jesus looks like, and I don’t like to see Him depicted—especially as a baby or on the cross. And I don’t like to see him shown looking like a hippie with long hair.
We know that he does NOT have long hair, though. See I Cor. 11:14.
We all talked about this in our Bible discussion group and came to the conclusion that it was ok to have pictures of Christ hanging on the wall to remind us of our Saviour.
Unless you’re Jewish and still follow the Commandments yes. But since nobody knows what Jesus looked like everything you see is just a guess. I’ve never read in the NT about any restriction on image creation. There are many many instances of early Christian homes that have murals depicting scenes from the NT including Jesus.
I have heard it said that any image of Christ is an idol because it is not a true likeness of Him ...I tend to agree with that ..
Except it is NOT a picture of Christ..it is one mans opinion of what he looked like
Would you hang my picture in your bedroom and tell everyone it was YOUR mother? After all I am a woman and a mother... Of course not because my picture would not be your mother..even if they thought it was
I have known folks that cringe at icons or images of Christ too. I usually say something like, “Do you have photographs of deceased relatives or an important family event in your home?”
That does not mean it was God pleasing or honoring... early Christians lied, had wrong beliefs and committed sins.. why would we assume because they did something it is fine with God.. they too were sinners in need of a Savior..
I didn’t realize you consider yourself to be so seperate, and others’ reasonable presence to be so unacceptable. Duly noted.
But there is nothing in the NT that says there are to be no graven images of God or Jesus. We don’t know or assume those early Christians were out of God’s favor and in need of a Savior. They wouldn’t be Christians, followers of Christ if they did.
In the picture, are you at the beach in a one or two piece swimsuit?
Presumably though deceased relatives are not worshipped as God...
NO ! And anyone who portrays Christ should be beheaded!
Sounds reasonable, right? /sarc.
Jimmy Hendrix with a crown of thorns.... Cute.
***What did he look like? There’s no physical description of him anywhere in the Bible.***
There is a discription claimed to be dated from the first century, however it is really a fraud from about the 14th century written to give artists an idea to go on of what Jesus might have looked like.
Interesting note: About 18 years the woman on the PTL CLUB was hawking this discription as the real thing and would mail you a copy if you would give a donation.
Man did she put on an act of excessive piousness while trying to git your money!
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