Are pictures of Christ OK? (Reformed Christian Caucus)

The Orthodox Presbyterian Church ^

[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

[RoadGumby]

I guess, we’ll know in the sweet by and by. Not that it will matter at that time anyway.

[WXRGina]

Amen!

[RnMomof7]

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.

Indeed they are still in effect.. all 10 of them including 1 and 2..the fact people did something in the past is not permission for us to do it.. scripture not tradition

[ReverendJames]

The Ten Commandments (actually nine. The first one is a statement) are part of the 600 plus laws God laid down. So you have to keep all the law, not just the Ten or parts of it.

[RnMomof7]

Actually you have to differentiate between the cilvil Law God gave and the moral law.. now if you are a rev... you should know that ... but most importantly because we might fail at keeping the whole moral law is not an excuse to break other ones..

Are you reformed?

[RnMomof7]

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 is not a very good answer.. Pictures are ACTUAL images of people.. and most people do not kneel in front of them or pray to them ... the Icons in churches are not really Christ or His image.. in a sense they are false Christs because they do not really resemble Him

[RnMomof7]

In the picture, are you at the beach in a one or two piece swimsuit?

Trust me...a burka would be better :)

[ReverendJames]

It is not as simple as defining the difference between civil laws God gave and moral law. There is also Divine law as well.

Divine Law is that which is enacted by God and made known to man through revelation. We distinguish between the Old Law, contained in the Pentateuch, and the New Law, which was revealed by Jesus Christ and is contained in the New Testament.

The Divine Law of the Old Testament, or the Mosaic Law, is commonly divided into civil, ceremonial, and moral precepts.

The civil legislation regulated the relations of the people of God among themselves and with their neighbors; the ceremonial regulated matters of religion and the worship of God; the moral was a Divine code of ethics.

In the Old Testament it is contained for the most part and summed up in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:2-17; Leviticus 19:3, 11-18; Deuteronomy 5:1-33).

Hope that helped.

I was raised both Jew and Christian. I became a Charismatic Christian but my daughter is Reformed.

[RnMomof7]

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?

That does not mean it pleased God ..the early Christians were not sinless or without error... What did you mom say to you.. "well if they jump off a bridge are you going to?"

[RnMomof7]

An icon is simply a reminder of the Christ I am worshipping.

Except that is no Christ.. it is some model or a picture from a mans head.. do we REALLY need a reminder of Him ??

[RnMomof7]

I was raised both Jew and Christian. I became a Charismatic Christian but my daughter is Reformed.

This thread is for reformed folks only ..so your daughter could post on it..but not you :)

PS I was aware of the definition of the Jewish laws .....and that is why I commented that your 600 law comment was in error..

[ReverendJames]

I'll have to let her know :)

Where I was going with all the laws (the 600 plus) is that it does contain civil and Divine laws as well. The one where you do not move your neighbors property line marker would be civil; Falsehood, flattery, perjury and false swearing would come under the ethical part.

So the Law does cover all those things is basically what I was inferring.

So, Nu, this is a Jewish thread?

[Gman]

So... would you hang up a photo of Christ if one existed? BTW, no one is kneeling in front of, or directly addressing the icons in our sanctuary.

[RnMomof7]

So... would you hang up a photo of Christ if one existed? BTW, no one is kneeling in front of, or directly addressing the icons in our sanctuary.

If we had a true picture of Christ I would be comfortable hanging it because it would not be another god would it?

[Sawdring]

Lol

[DryFly]

Certainly there is room to appreciate artistic expression which includes depictions of Christ. Think of the artwork that would not exist with such a legalistic application.

[Gman]

True that.