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
Visit the catacombs in Rome and you’ll see 2nd century images of Christ depicted. Does anyone think that we are more “sophisticated” than those real heroes who signed their death warrants when becoming Christians?
Try “The Face of God”, Paul Badde, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, ISBN 978-1-58617-515-3
I have ancestors who took this to heart to the point of not allowing their own pictures to be “struck.” They didn’t celebrate Christmas, either. Fairly prosperous people, hardworking, and not nearly so dour as they sound, apparently. Shirt-off-their-back, kind and generous people. They were strict upon themselves.
If your conscience and your heart lead you to believe in this manner, then believe. I guess I’ve got so many varying denominations in my family trees that I just won’t get upset about it one way or the other.
One thing that none of my family has ever done and neither have I, is to erect a shrine to a statue or image of any kind, though. They’d all agree, and still do, that this is idolatry.
me likey-likey that picture :)
I was asked by muawiyah to define Reformed.
In general, a Reformed Christian holds to the 5 Solas of the Protestant Reformation which are:
1. Sola Gratia, God gives us unmeritied favor which produces faith
2. Sola Fide, we are saved by faith alone, and the object of that faith is:
3. Sola Christus, we are saved by no other name
4. Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone is our rule of faith
5. Sola Deo Gloria, to God alone goes the Glory.
In addition, we hold to the the idea of TULIP
1. Total depravity (Original Sin) We are not a sinful as we can be, but we are too sinful to come to Christ without:
2. Unconditional election (God’s Election) (Romans 8:28-9, Ephesians 1.)
3. Limited atonement (Particular Redemption) Did Christ die for all, or for all who God has given him?
4. Irresistible grace (Effectual Calling) We cannot resist once we are regenerated (or born again. Grace precedes faith.
5. Perseverance of the Saints. God will preserve us, we are to weak to do so ourselves.
Examples of Reformed Christians include, but are not limited to the PCA, OPC, ARP, URCNA (Dutch Reformed) Particular Baptists.
I imagine God looking and sounding like Chuck Heston or John Wayne.
An icon is simply a reminder of the Christ I am worshipping.
Indeed.
While I’m not sure a depiction itself is a sin, it seems that often the leap from enjoying these icons to praying to them and worshiping them is a small step and that IS a sin.
;-)
Probably the most famous blasphemous picture; the depiction is completely contrary to the relevant scripture.
You read the Apostle Paul, speaking to the Corinth church, about not blending in with the male temple prostitutes (who had long hair) to be relevant to saying Jesus did not have long hair?
ping to comment later
For one to get the full picture of WHAT is written, you also need to know the WHY and the WHEN. The society Paul was writing about.
No, I do not endorse men to have long hair. But Paul was NOT writing about Jesus.
God is immutable.. what was sin in the OT is sin in the NT ...
I didn’t SAY Paul was writing specifically about Jesus! I said that applies to all men!
The Word of God is inspired by God, so it stands to reason that if Paul was inspired to write those words by God, then Jesus, Who is God, endorses them. Why would Jesus then turn around and contradict His own word by having long hair?
It does not make sense.
Hmmm, well okay. So how many of the OT commandments do you keep? All, some? You omit any OT commandment you’re guilty of sinning then. Since God is immutable then those commandments (laws)are still in effect in the NT.
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