Idols?

[William H.]

How do you feel about (graven/man made) images of Jesus? Seems many Christians have a picture of "Jesus" on a wall in their homes. and it is common place to use pictures of "Jesus" in kids books and in sharing subject matter on the web! I just hate to think someone is praying and looking up to such a gaven image says that is Christ! There are those pics of a cross with christ still on them, there is art with a image of God. There are pictures that represent angels everywhere.

Exodus 20:4
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Leviticus 26:1
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 5:8/Isaiah 42:8
Psalm 78:58
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
Deuteronomy 27:15
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

So where is the line between symbolizim and idols? I embrace much symbolizim but images of "Jesus" and "God" and "angels" often make me think such just isn't right. I don't want to nit pick or cause further division among Christians so I ask you to share your thoughts.

[keith]

Obviously we are not to make any image or depiction of God. For we cannot see God and live(Exodus 33:20). We know that these are not what God looks like, but the sad thing is if satan himself comes looking like that picture of Jesus(which he probably will), most all of christianity will be deceived if not the whole world. Ask almost anybody who that picture is of, whether it be a christian or non-christian, and they know who it depicts. I thank God that He has opened my eyes and ears and that I can teach my 5 year old son the Truth about all things. As witnesses for Christ are we not also to warn people, as it is written in Isaiah 58:1; "Cry aloud(not a wild cry, but a serious and solemn cry with restraint)spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgressions(their rebellion), and the house of Jacob their sins.(Physical Israel, which we know is America and the British Commonwealth). I try to explain to people they should not have these images and warn them that satan could come looking just like that picture of Jesus. Usually people will just shrug it off but at least they were warned. An idol can be anything we put ahead of God in our lives. Like the apostle John said, and it is written,"Little children,keep (guard) yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)

[Margie]

I don't like the pictures and statues depicting Jesus or angels either.
I have a few friends who seem to like these things though.
One of them is extremely superstitious and believes that burying a statue of one of the saints (I can't remember which one) in your yard helps you sell your house. lol, and they think the truth is strange.

[Paula McJunkin]

I personally don't have images or pictures of the "so-called "Jesus" in my home because first of all Yeshua doesn't look like the pictures depicted, second, I don't have "crosses" in my home or around my neck. It was an instrument of torture and "if" my son had been murdered in that manner I wouldn't want images such as the "cross" reminding me of that time. If it had been a guiliteen (mis-spelled) "the machine that cut off heads of individuals"...I would be repulsed by it's image. Cruxifiction was a terrible thing and not a pretty sight therefore why would I want an image around especially my neck. The Bible is clear about graven images it doesn't matter what "I" think or feel the image is to "me" it is what Yahweh thinks and He makes it perfectly clear in His Word. The pictures of "Jesus" were created in Constatines' period and is not the image of Christ...so if someone appeared that resembled that likeness I would know he was a fake. I hope I haven't offended anyone with my personal opinion, but everyone has one and this is mine.

[kurt]

i stay away from them and would not wear a crucifix or have images or idols of Jesus with thorns or on the cross. went inside a Catholic Church and there was a huge statue of Mary, and of Saints that people pray to, as well as massive crucifix with Jesus. I do not think this is right because Jehovah said not to.

Better safe than sorry.

Sometime i am ok with seeing a cross though. like a cross used on a shield or coat of arms or flag or gravestone. to me that isn't idolatry. it's simply symbolizing Christianity. at least that's what i think.

[alphafemale]

I take comfort sometimes when I see the cross upon a roadside, in the midst of a city scape, someplace I did not expect to see it. It does remind a simple mind like my own He is on the Throne-- this is the sacrifice He paid for you--and despite these troubles around us--we are His. As for having a cross on a grave marker, it simply separates the decedant from those around that ( in my mind ) this one long gone was a servant of The Living God. There are Magen David symbols on some, crosses on others, and its all a matter of oppinion. I am simple, but I do not see any of these photos, sculpture or symbols as something to "worship". Never.

[alphafemale]

8:4. In this verse Paul returned to the main topic of concern: eating food sacrificed
to idols. He began by acknowledging what he and the informed ones at Corinth
understood about the matter (“we know”). What did they know? First, idols are nothing
at all; and second, there is no God but one. With these statements he resolved the
issue of meat dedicated to idols on a technical, factual level. There could be no problem
with eating this meat since in fact it had been offered to nothing

sort of like what Paul was meaning when he responds to the question of eating meat sacrificed to "gods"....we know, as Christians, this meat ( or statue as the subject is ) is "nothing" Our God resides in another place, not in concrete or wood--. I hope I did not over answer here--sorry if I have. I am not afraid of any of these symbols.

[kurt]

alphafemale's post reminded me of something:

i want to point out that my avatar i chose is indeed an image of Jesus being baptized by John. It's a stained glass artwork.

I do not even know whether this is truly OK. I just thought it was very beautiful and reminded me of this important beginning to Jesus ministry. Whom Jehovah was well pleased in.

I wish someone could use scripture to confirm if it is OK

[alphafemale]

I know Brock can help us with scripture to confirm what we say. I am hoping! ;)

Welcome here Kurt! I hope together, all of us who are searching will learn the meat of The Word Of God!

[Dave Pedersen]

I don't think they are idols unless a person bows down and worships them. Some people do that of course and naturally that is unchristian.

 

The more prevalent use of such images does I think serve to deceive. It convinces people they have a good idea of what Jesus looks like and of course they don't have a clue about the unspeakable majesty of the risen Messiah. They see in their minds a man and expect a man and a man is what they will get.

 

Such images serve to deceive.

 

**

 

As for the cross Paul spoke of the cross and it is a sign of the price paid. It is not a sign of the cruelty of the Romans. The price was paid and no other man ever did that nor could they do that. That price paid is what distinguishes Christianity from man's religions. A modest cross worn or hung on a wall I don't see anything wrong with that if worn by a sincere Christian. It should not be worn by non-christians. The cross is a receipt of payment in full which is thrust in the face of Satan, spelling out his doom in clear simplicity.