Heidelberg Catechism: The Ten Commandments

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Please explain:

Q. What is God's will for us in the second commandment?
A. That we in no way make any image of God1 nor worship him in any other way than has been commanded in God's Word.2

Q. May we then not make any image at all?
A. God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way.
Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one's intention is to worship them or to serve God through them.1
Heidelberg Catechism: The Ten Commandments


What does "to serve God through them" mean?

Is this picture allowed in our homes?
Christian By Frances Hook.jpg
 
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Jonaitis

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What does "to serve God through them" mean?

Is this picture allowed in our homes?
View attachment 263290

It means to use such images as mediums to worship, which one of the most common are found in the Catholic/Orthodox churches. They claim they don't worship the icons or statues, but worship "through" them as aids. This is forbidden in the second commandment, as it corrupts the worship with idolatry.

In the second commandment, God forbids the making of any image that attempts to represent God in any form. This isn't limited to worship, as some think, but images of God in general. Since Jesus is God, not just man, any depiction of him is a violation of this commandment, including what you posted.
 
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JM

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The Westminster Larger Catechism:

Q107: Which is the second commandment?
A107: The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
[1]

1. Exod. 20:4-6

Q108: What are the duties required in the second commandment?
A108: The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath instituted in his word;[1] particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ;[2] the reading, preaching, and hearing of the word;[3] the administration and receiving of the sacraments;[4] church government and discipline;[5] the ministry and maintenance thereof;[6] religious fasting;[7] swearing by the name of God,[8] and vowing unto him:[9] as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing, all false worship;[10] and, according to each one’s place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry.[11]

1. Deut. 32:46-47; Matt. 28:20; Acts 2:42; I Tim. 6:13-14
2. Phil. 4:6; Eph. 5:20
3. Deut. 17:18-19; Acts 15:21; II Tim. 4:2; James 1:21-22
4. Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:23-30
5. Matt. 16:19; 18:15-17; I Cor. ch. 5; 12:28
6. Eph. 4:11-12; I Tim. 5:17-18; I Cor. 9:1-15
7. Joel 2:12-13; I Cor. 7:5
8. Deut. 6:13
9. Isa. 19:21; Psa. 76:11
10. Acts 17:16-17; Psa. 16:4
11. Deut. 7:5; Isa. 30:22

Q109: What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment?
A109: The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising,[1] counseling,[2] commanding,[3] using,[4] and anywise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself;[5] tolerating a false religion;[6] the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever;[7] all worshiping of it,[8] or God in it or by it;[9] the making of any representation of feigned deities,[10] and all worship of them, or service belonging to them;[11] all superstitious devices,[12] corrupting the worship of God,[13] adding to it, or taking from it,[14] whether invented and taken up of ourselves,[15] or received by tradition from others,[16] though under the title of antiquity,[17] custom,[18] devotion,[19] good intent, or any other pretense whatsoever;[20] simony;[21] sacrilege;[22] all neglect,[23] contempt,[24] hindering,[25] and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.[26]

1. Num. 15:39
2. Deut. 13:6-8
3. Hosea 5:11; Micah 6:16
4. I Kings 11:33; 12:33
5. Deut. 12:30-32
6. Deut. 13:6-12; Zech. 13:2-3; Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20, Rev. 17:12, 16-17
7. Deut. 4:15-19; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:21-23, 25
8. Dan. 3:18; Gal. 4:8
9. Exod. 32:5
10. Exod. 32:8
11. I Kings 18:26, 28; Isa. 65:11
12. Acts 17:22; Col. 2:21-23
13. Mal. 1:7-8, 14
14. Deut. 4:2
15. Psa. 106:39
16. Matt. 15:9
17. I Peter 1:18
18. Jer. 44:17
19. Isa. 65:3-5; Gal. 1:13-14
20. I Sam. 13:11-12; 15:21
21. Acts 8:18
22. Rom. 2:22; Mal. 3:8
23. Exod. 4:24-26
24. Matt. 22:5; Mal. 1:7, 13
25. Matt. 23:13

26. Acts 13:44-45; I Thess. 2:15-16

Q110: What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it?
A110: The reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it, contained in these words, For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments;[1] are, besides God’s sovereignty over us, and propriety in us,[2] his fervent zeal for his own worship,[3] and his revengeful indignation against all false worship, as being a spiritual whoredom;[4] accounting the breakers of this commandment such as hate him, and threatening to punish them unto divers generations;[5] and esteeming the observers of it such as love him and keep his commandments, and promising mercy to them unto many generations.[6]

1. Exod. 20:5-6
2. Psa. 45:11; Rev. 20:3-4
3. Exod. 34:13-14
4. I Cor. 10:20-22; Jer. 7:18-20; Ezek. 16:26-27; Deut. 32:16-20
5. Hosea 2:2-4
6. Deut. 5:29
 
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Rescued One

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Really? I thought all denominations used that type of Christian art. Little did I know! Are there specific coloring books published for your children? Does this also mean that no nativity sets are allowed? :confused:
 
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I recommend G.I. Williamson's study through the Heidelberg Catechism, the best study guide I've read on it, great for family worship.

I ordered it.
 
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Jonaitis

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I'm confused:

View attachment 263304
First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson, MO

and other Presbyterian churches.

"The Presbyterian Church (USA) ordained the first woman Pastor, Margaret Towner, in 1956. First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City ordained its first woman Elder, Mary Burton James, in January 1967.

"First Presbyterian Church has called many wonderful leaders to serve in the past including Arthur Hughes, Associate Pastor - 1969, Charles Ross, Pastor - 1974, Rudy Beard, Pastor -1981, Rob Erickson, Pastor - 2010, and Zac Wolfe, Associate Pastor for Youth and Contemporary Worship - 2012.

"Currently, the church is led by Pastor Angela Madden and Rev. Dr. David Henry, Associate Pastor. These leaders are joined by Rev. Dr. Cliff Cain, Parish Associate.'

From their website: First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson, MO

Sounds like they are PCUSA (very liberal). They aren't really "Confessional," as are some more liberal Presbyterian churches today. Some of the more conservative leaning, and confessional adherent, are OPC, EPC, PCA, etc.
 
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JM

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JM

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"The Presbyterian Church (USA) ordained the first woman Pastor, Margaret Towner, in 1956. First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City ordained its first woman Elder, Mary Burton James, in January 1967.

"First Presbyterian Church has called many wonderful leaders to serve in the past including Arthur Hughes, Associate Pastor - 1969, Charles Ross, Pastor - 1974, Rudy Beard, Pastor -1981, Rob Erickson, Pastor - 2010, and Zac Wolfe, Associate Pastor for Youth and Contemporary Worship - 2012.

"Currently, the church is led by Pastor Angela Madden and Rev. Dr. David Henry, Associate Pastor. These leaders are joined by Rev. Dr. Cliff Cain, Parish Associate.'

From their website: First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson, MO

Sounds like they are PCUSA (very liberal). They aren't really "Confessional," as are some more liberal Presbyterian churches today. Some of the more conservative leaning, and confessional adherent, are OPC, EPC, PCA, etc.

They consider themselves confessional but interpret those confessions differently. That makes it frustrating to me.
 
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They consider themselves confessional but interpret those confessions differently. That makes it frustrating to me.

Interpret the Protestant Confessions in the same manner you would interpret the Bible and consider the historical background in which it was written. This will help clear away any loose understandings one may have.

Yours in the Lord,

jm
 
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Interpret the Protestant Confessions in the same manner you would interpret the Bible and consider the historical background in which it was written. This will help clear away any loose understandings one may have.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

Thank you for the information and for changing your avatar.
 
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