BertMulder
Puritan Board Junior
In the light of the 2nd commandment, and the explanation thereof, which we confess in the Heidelberg Catechism, are pictures of Christ, and manger scenes allowed?
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Just wondering. It seems the majority of "Christianity" would have no problem with pictures of Jesus, etc. Generally speaking, why is that? Is it a misunderstanding of the interpretation of the scripture? a disregard for what the scriptures teach? a law vs grace thing? All of the above? None of the above?
Just wondering. It seems the majority of "Christianity" would have no problem with pictures of Jesus, etc. Generally speaking, why is that? Is it a misunderstanding of the interpretation of the scripture? a disregard for what the scriptures teach? a law vs grace thing? All of the above? None of the above?
I think that the issue is really important when the nativity scene is the focal point of a worship service. The normal way people believe that they are not in breach of the second commandment is that they are not worshipping the image, this is a very weak argument when to all intents and purposes you are.
I think that the issue is really important when the nativity scene is the focal point of a worship service. The normal way people believe that they are not in breach of the second commandment is that they are not worshipping the image, this is a very weak argument when to all intents and purposes you are.
I think that the issue is really important when the nativity scene is the focal point of a worship service. The normal way people believe that they are not in breach of the second commandment is that they are not worshipping the image, this is a very weak argument when to all intents and purposes you are.
I use to use the weak argument until I saw a lady have a picture of Christ in her apartment window. She taped it so that everyone could see it when they drove by. It was obvious that she wanted to create some sort of emotional response.
It was at this time that I realized that every image or figure was made to create an emotional response. This is idolatry, plain and simple.
In her mind it was probably an attempt at evangelism.
I think that the issue is really important when the nativity scene is the focal point of a worship service. The normal way people believe that they are not in breach of the second commandment is that they are not worshipping the image, this is a very weak argument when to all intents and purposes you are.
I use to use the weak argument until I saw a lady have a picture of Christ in her apartment window. She taped it so that everyone could see it when they drove by. It was obvious that she wanted to create some sort of emotional response.
It was at this time that I realized that every image or figure was made to create an emotional response. This is idolatry, plain and simple.
In her mind it was probably an attempt at evangelism.
I have a picture of Christ that my Dad had when he was alive and a manger scene on the TV, I suspect I will get flamed for not being a good puritan. Well I'm not a puritan and I love the holidays and like everything else that a lot here might not like. I'm downright a rebel
JohnGill is the cat in your avatar shooting people setting up Nativity scenes and celebrating Christmas?
I think that the issue is really important when the nativity scene is the focal point of a worship service. The normal way people believe that they are not in breach of the second commandment is that they are not worshipping the image, this is a very weak argument when to all intents and purposes you are.
I use to use the weak argument until I saw a lady have a picture of Christ in her apartment window. She taped it so that everyone could see it when they drove by. It was obvious that she wanted to create some sort of emotional response.
It was at this time that I realized that every image or figure was made to create an emotional response. This is idolatry, plain and simple.
In her mind it was probably an attempt at evangelism.
I have a picture of Christ that my Dad had when he was alive and a manger scene on the TV, I suspect I will get flamed for not being a good puritan. Well I'm not a puritan and I love the holidays and like everything else that a lot here might not like. I'm downright a rebel
Just wondering. It seems the majority of "Christianity" would have no problem with pictures of Jesus, etc. Generally speaking, why is that? Is it a misunderstanding of the interpretation of the scripture? a disregard for what the scriptures teach? a law vs grace thing? All of the above? None of the above?
Maybe it is a weak Christian vs. stronger Christian thing? Don't do anything to offend the weaker brother.
I know lots of people that keep a self-portrait of a 12th-century Danish painter in their home. That guy must have been quite the artist for all these people to venerate him in such a way. His momma must be proud!
I know lots of people that keep a self-portrait of a 12th-century Danish painter in their home. That guy must have been quite the artist for all these people to venerate him in such a way. His momma must be proud!
15Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
17The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
18The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
19And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
Backwoods Presbyterian;
I know lots of people that keep a self-portrait of a 12th-century Danish painter in their home. That guy must have been quite the artist for all these people to venerate him in such a way. His momma must be proud!
I know many people who have portraits of themselves, their wives and their children and grandchildren in their homes and who send them to their parents and grandparents and brothers and sisters and friends..should we think the same way concerning them? Or is it only because it is a 'self-portrait' that's its different??
If we are to follow the letter of the law..then this would apply to even pictures of ourselves and our children and family members and friends..should it not??
15Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
17The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
18The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
19And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
The reference to the 12th-century Danish painter was in reference to the story that the picture that we see often appropriated to look like "Jesus" is actually the self-portrait of the painter mentioned above. What people often associate "Jesus" looking like is just this guy, hence the "his mom must be proud" comment.
Your selection of that passage is completely out of context. Do you worship your family's pictures? Is family a part of the Godhead?
Right. But we can make anything an idol. Our hearts and minds are idol factories. It is not the picture of our families fault we idolize it. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with pictures of family.