Since we got into to a discussion in another thread about this, I decided to make this thread. So what do you think, is it right to make or have images of Jesus, why, why not?
So by extension I guess, what do you think of cross necklaces and cross earrings?I think it is wrong as we do not know what Jesus looked like and if God wanted us to know He would have told us. So where do all the ideas of what Jesus looks like, come from?
Certainly not from the Bible.
You must keep in mind that Aaron declared "behold the God that brought you out of Egypt" when setting up the Golden Calf. They were intent to worship God, but rather set up a representation, a simulacrum of Him, instead of approaching the Living God.
So this is the danger of images. We might frame our understanding around it, create an image we think is how God is, instead of worshipping God. Having something concrete makes this easier to do, I think, like young children imagine a bearded man in the sky.
It doesn't mean there is inherently something wrong with an image or symbol, even God ordered the Brazen Serpent to be lifted up, but it mustn't become a Nehusthan Idol. We must take care to have a living relationship with God, rather than simply ritual and representation. The argument for aniconism is a strong one, I think, because humans are so weak and silly. Aniconism or Iconoclasm can become its own idolatry though, if we are so intent on smashing what we perceive as other's idols, we forget the God they are meant to represent and loving your neighbour as yourself.
So it very much depends. For some having no images is obviously better, for others, it might be an aid to help approach God. Either way, I think caution is advised.
I think it is wrong as we do not know what Jesus looked like and if God wanted us to know He would have told us. So where do all the ideas of what Jesus looks like, come from?
Certainly not from the Bible.
How is this different from thinking of God in the manner you desire Him?Was it not so that the golden calf was created to be the "God" they wanted to have? They didn't want to have the living God, they wanted to make God into someone that met their standards. So they created the calf and worshipped it. Some people use this OT passages to show that we are not to make an image of Christ, but I think that is far-fetched.
Yes you are. CS Lewis mentions it in Letters to Malcolm and a Grief Observed. You can set up a mental idol as easily, but more surreptitiously, than an actual one. Every now and then, God needs to disabuse us of our complacent notions, lest we replaced the Living waters with a stagnant pool.Of course it's wrong to worship any image of God or Christ, but standing in front of an image of Christ as a reminder in the heart, and pray to him, why would that be wrong? Again, some people may say that then you are praying to the image, but how can that be? If you have an image in your head of Christ when you pray to him, are you then in danger of idol worship?
So by extension I guess, what do you think of cross necklaces and cross earrings?
I can see what you are saying and would agree to a large extent.There is a massive difference there as the cross represents a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus endured for us. Some people like to wear this as a quiet witness to their faith.
A portrait of Jesus is something else altogether we do not know what He looked like so anything portrayed is going to be what someone imagines He looks like.
I still believe if God wanted us to know that He would have revealed that.
When and who first started portraying Jesus in a visual form?Christians probably talked about how he looked ... don't you think? So I believe it was well known before there were any paintings of him.
It's also so that Christ has appeared in visions.
Not in the New Testament, certainly.When and who first started portraying Jesus in a visual form?
When and who first started portraying Jesus in a visual form?
There is a massive difference there as the cross represents a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus endured for us. Some people like to wear this as a quiet witness to their faith.
A portrait of Jesus is something else altogether we do not know what He looked like so anything portrayed is going to be what someone imagines He looks like.
I still believe if God wanted us to know that He would have revealed that.