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From a Biblical perspective, what should a human being, whom God has blessed with extreme artistic talents, a Michelangelo or Da Vinci, say, do with those talents? Should they use them to promote the glory of God, or not? If yes, should they use them to edify and communicate the Scriptural message or not? If so, how, without painting or sculpting (as you call it), "a lie"?

Easy to answer. If the painting, or whatever is in direct violation of scripture, then it cannot be of God, much less "promote the glory of God". God does not lie. If someone has a talent for painting such things, then it is not "God given", although it is likely to a "god" given. Just not the true God who says:

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God...

Seems pretty clear cut.

And yet the Israelites built the ark at God's command, in seeming contradiction to that very commandment. How can you be certain that an artist has not been led, compelled, inspired or directed by God to do what they have done?

If you look on my profile page, you will see a Crucifixion sketch that I did years ago when I was going through one of the most trying periods of my life. I felt a compulsion to draw it, and in doing so, it brought me to a deep contemplative state on the sufferings and wounds borne on my behalf. The act of rendering that sketch brought me closer to Christ and while I didn't hear God say in my ear, "Draw this," I feel that He led me to do so, to reinforce my faith, draw me closer to Him, and give me the strength needed to navigate that period of my life.

So feel free to tell me I'm disobedient for drawing it. I know in my heart of hearts, I would have been disobedient for not doing so...