Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
God’s word is very clear that any image of God is prohibited. God is triune and that includes any image of the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit. God is spirit and cannot be made into an image – He is beyond our ability to form any kind of image or statue. However, I hear the argument that Christ was a man so we can have pictures and statues of Him. But are we forgetting that Christ is also fully God and while we can portray Him as a man (although the Bible gives absolutely no indication of what He looked like – hmmm… I wonder why!) He is also fully God and painting an image of Him would only illustrate His humanity and not deity. I am always struck by the fact that not one of the gospel writers ever described what Christ looked like. Not even the color of His eyes or hair or even how he walked or what His voice sounded like. The inspired Word of God illustrates the very importance of the second commandment in the New Testament by never once describing Christ’s appearance. (Outside of the amazing symbolic appearance John receives in Revelation which in context must be taken symbolically.) Brian Schwertley has written an outstanding article on images of Christ which can be found here.
I have gotten into many debates with folks on this and for some reason it seems to be a hot button topic with folks – even those in reformed circles who historically have been very strong against images of Christ. The mentality seems to be that since churches have allowed images of Christ for so long that it must be OK. But what matters is what God says – not what the populace has settled down with. Do you think that images of Christ break the second commandment? Do paintings like “The Last Supper” and even famous paintings like “The Creation of Man” by Michelangelo break God’s second commandment?
So… what say you great visitors of this blog?
Related posts:
Has anyone seen a modern-day portrayal of Jesus that was not effeminant or bordering on homosexual? Not me. As for the “classics”, there is no scriptural basis for either. It is simply someone’s imagination or wishful thinking that these two events could happen as they have painted them. What need have we of an “image” of Christ or the Father or the Holy Spirit? Those in scripture that did come in contact with God were driven to their knees or face and wished for the encounter to cease due to the shear magnitude of His Presence (Moses, Isaiah, Job, Paul, John and others). Could we be so presumptive and arrogant to think that we could “see” God (and live) and were the chosen one to reveal His Likeness to the world? Oh please!!! The task is impossible. It is unthinkable and frightening to me to even look upon someone else’s attempt to portray my Lord in any physical fashion. And yes, this includes Mel Gibson film “The Passion” and all others like it.
If we really believe that God’s Word is the final authority, then let it be the final authority and stop manipulating it to the latest whim.
Darrel,
Well said. It is true that most pictures and drawings of Christ are very effeminate – often with Him in a long white robe with perfect hair and perfect skin. I fear that children’s books are the one that error the most in breaking this commandment.
I hear folks often argue too that movies that portray Christ in them are means to spread the gospel – but doesn’t faith come by hearing – hearing the Word of Christ? (Romans 10:17) Not by acting or playing out the gospel with graven images! God does not look with favor at well intentions – He looks at obedience to His commandments by His grace in Christ.
Thanks so much for your comment.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Its very true, and though Children’s books make much use of it, I think its beneficial, so if we go strictly on that we cannot make cartoons or even movies because in all of them we have to portray Christ as someone. And there was not visual media other than drawings and idols at that time. Movies and cartoons came later, but they also represent similar things. Because now if you think of Harry Potter the picture that comes to mind is of Daniel Radcliffe. But everyone knows he is not Harry Potter. Similarly images are not meant as an accurate depiction of how Jesus really looked, but just to convey visually a part of the Gospel such as Jesus’s love for the children, etc. And I still remember as a child that I used to be encouraged so much by seeing Christ with Children around him or comforting a weeping child and how he loves children. We all are impacted so much through a visual media. Seeing a movie brings out more emotion than hearing the same audibly. It can be a tool. In a similar way Christ with the lamb, as shepherd and as being with children are all inspirational as pictures, just like seeing a movie of Christ. But if you look at the second commandment it specifically says about bowing down to the idol and worshipping it. And thats where God says he is a jealous God. You have to remember that the verses were not split like it is today when it was given. And I’m not trying to prove you wrong. Just giving some food for thought :)
I understand your reasoning, Paul, but it is faulty. Any physical image of Christ no matter the foremat, cannot possibly do justice to the true character of Jesus. It will always be found insufficient, inadequate, and therefore a false “image” we have made to portray the King of glory. To consider any such image as a valid representation of the true Christ is by definition an idol, yes, an idol that is worshiped because it replaces the true Christ in our hearts as the one we look up to and depend upon in time of trouble. To do this is a direct violation of the Word of God, so why do it? Our task on this earth is to be obedient to our Lord. Our task on this earth is NOT to reshape His Word to fit our every whim (whim is spelled: S I N). Why we so easily get caught in that trap is any one’s guess.
May the Lord Jesus be pleased to reveal Himself to us all.