Are images of Christ idols?

Brethren,

I would like to hear, from a scriptural position, what you think of all the images of Christ. They never bothered me until recently when I read Exodus 20:4-5 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven 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: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them..." And put that with John 20:29, "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." I get that paintings of Christ may not be biblical. We have not seen Christ bodily so to make a picture of almighty God seems to be idolatry. Not to mention the fact that Jesus gives a blessing in John for those that have not seen Him and yet believe. My point is that maybe paintings and pictures of God bring Him down to our level, taking away from His majesty.

I would appreciate your comments. Bro. Doug

Doug,

I do not know the answer to your question but I would like to share something that may give some insight to this issue.

Years ago we had an old brother in our church who has since died. One day he was given a vision where he saw the LORD Jesus. When he awoke he had his wife destroy all pictures of Jesus, even the ones she loved. The reason was is because he said these pics looked nothing like the person he saw. He said none of the pictures come close to portraying the physical likeness of Jesus.

This is the testimony of one godly man and I do take it to heart.

About making graven images: that is a completely different issue.

My grandfather, who was raised Amish, hated photography because of this commandment. I, too, had to think this issue through: are sculptures a violation of this command? My children liked to play with Play-doh when they were little and I often sat down with them and played with Play-doh, forming heads that looked like people. "Now was my play in violation of this command?" I asked.

I did more studying in the OT, its history to help me understand how the Israelites understood this commandment. And I did not have to read very far. God gave Moses commandments on how the tabernacle was to be constructed. In its structure they were commanded by God to make figures of pomegranates, angels, etc. of expensive metals, like brass, silver, gold. These figures were to be a part of the structure where God was worshiped. Later Solomon built the temple. More details of this can be found in 1 Kings 6 and 2 Chronicles 2 - . These scriptures will give you plenty for thought and consideration.

What does this have to do with us today? I suggest this: God would not give a "Thou shalt not commandment" and then a few words later give them details on how to violate it! So what did God mean? Just like we originally thought: we are not to make images of anything to BOW down to!

This is the way I understand it; it is a testimony of my pilgrimage in this area...(BTW, I thoroughly enjoy my pictures!)

What do you think? Does this help any?

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Hi ginnyrose, The major issue I have with pictures of Jesus, and other images of God, is that there is a move in the mainstream evangelical body toward Catholicism. We both know how they are with images. I came out of churches that are leery of Catholics and their traditions.

I also believe that Messiah Himself still bares the scares of the torture and crucifixion.
"As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men" Isaiah 52:14.

None of the images portray that.

Thanks for the reply. Bro. Doug

Now about images...your post evokes some memories!

I have heard of people who are very serious in their opposition to the crucifix, declaring it is a form of idoltry. To enhance their dislike they will point out that no other form of execution is as glorified as the cross. If people would start making 'images' of the guillotine with a victim, many would be repulsed and the sales of it nonexistant. But not so the crucifix. Why the difference?

Ten years ago when our DD was terminally ill, battling cancer, she was treated at a Catholic hospital. In it they had crucifixs in every room, if I recall correctly. The religious symbols displayed throughout the facility was in in its own way comforting. The Baptist hospital located thirty miles away has religious mottos in all of its rooms, and again this evokes in a patient a sense that the people working here have a sense of God within, that the medical staff realize they are working under the authority of God, whether this is the reality or not.

The bottom line is: if we need a religious icon, or music to get us in the 'mood' to worship God, it is idoltry...whatever form that may be. This is why I see red flags when I hear of people needing incense, music, imagery to asssit them in their worship, to get them in the 'mood'. Music should be a means by which we tell God how great and wonderful He is and in the process tell others. The lyrics, the music is that which flows out of a heart that loves the creator of all good. That is what worship is all about.

This is my opinion..

ginnyrose

I would agree with gr, and had the same thought after reading the Commandments, and then reading how God commanded Solomon to build carvings of angels, etc.

I do not, however, scold anyone who abstains from paintings of Christ. My personal stance is just to be Spirit led. If I feel that the likeness is God honoring, and directs one to the Lord, then so be it. If it makes me question what the artist's intent was, or kind of gives me the creeps, I steer clear.

In general, I don't go for pictures of Christ. But here is one case where I went the other way. I was at the register of a restaurant, and noticed a picture. It appeared to be Christ praying and looking up to heaven. After getting closer, I realized that the entire picture was made out of words. And still closer, I realized that it was the entire book of John, just with words darkened to form the image. Memory serving, the peice of paper next to it said the artist spent 7 years creating the work. My wife bought it for me, and I will be putting it up somewhere in the new house. Probably not in the room where I pray, but rather somewhere that visitors will see.

So I believe there is nothing harmful in the picture itself, but when someone begins to pay undue homage to a peice of canvas, or sculpture, they are violating God's law.

A clear example of how imagery of Christ is God honoring, would be pictures of Christ with words on a gospel tract. A clear violation of Scripture concerning images, would be the bowing down before the statues of Mary that we see in the modern Roman church (had to add 'modern' in there for those that really know their Catholic church history).

I do know someone whose church preaches openly against pictures of Christ, and I don't fight them one bit. 'Let every man be fully persuaded...'