Regi Addictissimus
Completely sold out to the King
Let's start with defining the term Theophany for any that may be unclear of the meaning.
From the "Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch:"
A theophany may be defined simply as a visible manifestation of God, a self-disclosure of the deity. The word does not occur in the OT or NT but is a theological word formed by the combination of two Greek words, theos (“god”) and phainein (“to appear”). Thus theophany refers to an appearance of God. The Greek word was actually used in nonbiblical literature to refer to the displaying of images of gods at a festival at Delphi. In the OT the Niphal of the verb rʾh (“to see”) frequently occurs in the context of a theophany with the meaning “to appear” (Lev 9:23; Num 14:10; 16:19, 42 [MT 17:7]; 20:6).
Rooker, M. F. “Theophany.” Ed. T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch 2003 : 859. Print.
or
From the "Evangelical dictionary of theology:"
A theological term used to refer to either a visible or auditory manifestation of God. Visible manifestations include an angel appearing in human form (Judg. 13); a flame in the burning bush (Exod. 3:2–6); and fire, smoke, and thunder on Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:18–20). Auditory manifestations include the voice of God in the garden (Gen. 3:8), the still small voice to Elijah (1 Kings 19:12–18), and the voice from heaven at the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:17). Normally the physical aspects are not described with any detail because it is the message of God that is emphasized. However, the physical aspects are there to impress the recipients and authenticate the revelation.
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical dictionary of theology: Second Edition 2001 :1190. Print.
Now that we have the term defined, are Theophanic illustrations and images a breach of the Second Commandment? We tend to just think of images of Christ as a violation of the Law. Why would not an illustration of the burning bush be a violation? God appearing to Moses in the burning bush is, without a doubt, a Theophany.
Here is a follow-up question. Is the Holy Spirit appearing as a dove or as cloven tongues of fire a Theophany? I say that it is. I have had people try to argue that it is not. The Holy Spirit is a Person in our Triune God. Why would those manifestations of the Holy Spirit not be a Theophany? If they are Theophanies, are illustrations of those manifestations a breach of God's Law?
I have posed this question to a few people now. The response has typically been "I've never thought about it." After giving it some thought, a small number would proceed to say that images of Theophanies are not a breach of the Second Commandment. If you agree that they are not, please explain why.
I welcome any thoughts to these questions. Please keep to the topic at hand.
From the "Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch:"
A theophany may be defined simply as a visible manifestation of God, a self-disclosure of the deity. The word does not occur in the OT or NT but is a theological word formed by the combination of two Greek words, theos (“god”) and phainein (“to appear”). Thus theophany refers to an appearance of God. The Greek word was actually used in nonbiblical literature to refer to the displaying of images of gods at a festival at Delphi. In the OT the Niphal of the verb rʾh (“to see”) frequently occurs in the context of a theophany with the meaning “to appear” (Lev 9:23; Num 14:10; 16:19, 42 [MT 17:7]; 20:6).
Rooker, M. F. “Theophany.” Ed. T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch 2003 : 859. Print.
or
From the "Evangelical dictionary of theology:"
A theological term used to refer to either a visible or auditory manifestation of God. Visible manifestations include an angel appearing in human form (Judg. 13); a flame in the burning bush (Exod. 3:2–6); and fire, smoke, and thunder on Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:18–20). Auditory manifestations include the voice of God in the garden (Gen. 3:8), the still small voice to Elijah (1 Kings 19:12–18), and the voice from heaven at the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:17). Normally the physical aspects are not described with any detail because it is the message of God that is emphasized. However, the physical aspects are there to impress the recipients and authenticate the revelation.
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical dictionary of theology: Second Edition 2001 :1190. Print.
Now that we have the term defined, are Theophanic illustrations and images a breach of the Second Commandment? We tend to just think of images of Christ as a violation of the Law. Why would not an illustration of the burning bush be a violation? God appearing to Moses in the burning bush is, without a doubt, a Theophany.
Here is a follow-up question. Is the Holy Spirit appearing as a dove or as cloven tongues of fire a Theophany? I say that it is. I have had people try to argue that it is not. The Holy Spirit is a Person in our Triune God. Why would those manifestations of the Holy Spirit not be a Theophany? If they are Theophanies, are illustrations of those manifestations a breach of God's Law?
I have posed this question to a few people now. The response has typically been "I've never thought about it." After giving it some thought, a small number would proceed to say that images of Theophanies are not a breach of the Second Commandment. If you agree that they are not, please explain why.
I welcome any thoughts to these questions. Please keep to the topic at hand.
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