Anthropomorphic Art?

Aero17 · Dec 23, 2018

Hey guys!
I am doing some research/bible study about certain topics and stuff, and there is one thing that I am left with, of which I am unsure about.

In Genesis 1:27 NIV: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

My question is - would it be a sin to create anthropomorphic art? I mean, especially considering this verse, I am wondering about this subject - I know that giving humans animal characteristics would be a distortion of the way God intended us as humans to be, but would giving human characteristics to animals in art be wrong? It seems ok to me, but I want to make extra sure, just to be safe :-D

Sabertooth · Dec 23, 2018

Serving Zion · Dec 23, 2018

Aero17 said:
Hey guys!
I am doing some research/bible study about certain topics and stuff, and there is one thing that I am left with, of which I am unsure about.

In Genesis 1:27 NIV: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

My question is - would it be a sin to create anthropomorphic art? I mean, especially considering this verse, I am wondering about this subject - I know that giving humans animal characteristics would be a distortion of the way God intended us as humans to be, but would giving human characteristics to animals in art be wrong? It seems ok to me, but I want to make extra sure, just to be safe :-D

Show us what you have in mind and I will tell you what it means to me .. then we will both know!

.. and welcome to CF!

Hieronymus · Dec 23, 2018

Mixing kinds seems like a bit of an abomination to me, to be honest..
Why would anyone even want to do that, is my question.

But hey, as long as you don't put any spiritual value on what you make, like worshipping or meditating on it (making it vivid in your mind), why not?

eleos1954 · Dec 23, 2018

Aero17 said:
Hey guys!
I am doing some research/bible study about certain topics and stuff, and there is one thing that I am left with, of which I am unsure about.

In Genesis 1:27 NIV: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

My question is - would it be a sin to create anthropomorphic art? I mean, especially considering this verse, I am wondering about this subject - I know that giving humans animal characteristics would be a distortion of the way God intended us as humans to be, but would giving human characteristics to animals in art be wrong? It seems ok to me, but I want to make extra sure, just to be safe :-D

ok .. so what is that? in the image of God? Hmmm .. we don't know what He physically looks like ... what do we know? We know His loving character. So ... pick something that represents/symbolizes His loving character.

"giving human characteristics to animals in art be wrong?" How about a Lamb with a big heart with a rainbow over it? That would be Jesus ;o)

John 1

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

The Lord uses symbolism all the time.

God Bless.

Lulav · Dec 23, 2018

Aero17 said:
Hey guys!
I am doing some research/bible study about certain topics and stuff, and there is one thing that I am left with, of which I am unsure about.

In Genesis 1:27 NIV: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

My question is - would it be a sin to create anthropomorphic art? I mean, especially considering this verse, I am wondering about this subject - I know that giving humans animal characteristics would be a distortion of the way God intended us as humans to be, but would giving human characteristics to animals in art be wrong? It seems ok to me, but I want to make extra sure, just to be safe :-D

As Heironomous said the mixing of kinds is an abomination to God and his creation. You are saying about giving human characteristics to animals, such as? four footed animals walking upright?, eating food with a fork and knife? doing manual labor?

What are you looking for your message to be?

In the beginning when God created everything He as the creator proclaimed it as 'good' in other words perfect, not to be improved upon. Today as in ancient times man thinks he knows better than the creator and is doing abdominal things in the name of 'science'. Even just perpetuated in art still would emulate the same thing.

As far as presenting Adam and eve in one body it would all be speculation and could very well lead others that observe it to form the wrong ideas.

BTW I am an artist to and have struggled with these things myself.

Sketcher · Dec 23, 2018

In the context of Gen 1:27, no, not in general. There are exceptions. Don't make an idol. Don't make porn. Don't make blasphemous work. That sort of thing.

“Paisios” · Dec 23, 2018

Lulav said:
You are saying about giving human characteristics to animals, such as? four footed animals walking upright?, eating food with a fork and knife? doing manual labor?

Isn’t this essentially what C.S. Lewis did in his generally praised Narnia series? Not a pictorial image, but his word images are as powerful, and his use of anthropomorphic animals certainly had a positive and Christian message...

Serving Zion · Dec 23, 2018

Aero17 said:
Hey guys!
I am doing some research/bible study about certain topics and stuff, and there is one thing that I am left with, of which I am unsure about.

In Genesis 1:27 NIV: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

My question is - would it be a sin to create anthropomorphic art? I mean, especially considering this verse, I am wondering about this subject - I know that giving humans animal characteristics would be a distortion of the way God intended us as humans to be, but would giving human characteristics to animals in art be wrong? It seems ok to me, but I want to make extra sure, just to be safe :-D

I think there is a certain artistic value in the characteristics of other species:

.. where do you draw the line though?

Aero17 · Dec 23, 2018

Dang, so many replies already xD

@Serving Zion Thanks for the welcome! I will include an example picture at the end of this post :-Dhttps://www.christianforums.com/members/serving-zion.387004/

@Hieronymus It is not mixing breeds, but rather having animals have human characteristics - like standing on two paws, etc (as mentioned in a later post)

@eleos1954 I see what you mean.... Thanks for the feedback! :-D

@Lulav I mean it as four-pawed animals walking on two
It is not that I want to improve god's creation or so, it is just that I have seen this art before and made one myself and enjoyed it. The goal of the art would be to simply enjoy making it. I would never want to change God's work:-D

@Sketcher It is a shame that people make such art and take some of it as far as to worship it :-(

Here is the reference pic I talked about (one that I made):

My greatest fear is making such art now and then, only for it to be wrong or sinful :-( I would rather leave it if it is wrong
Otherwise, it is fun to make this now and then! :-D My next piece of art will be my effort to do an art of Jesus sitting on his throne; as I saw it in my head in church one day:-D

Hieronymus · Dec 23, 2018

Well, a picture says more than a thousand words.
It is reminiscent of pagan religions and / or artwork, like African and Indian (native American) though, and somewhat reminds (me) of ancient Egyptian art too.
So i can't escape the religious associations.
But that's just my opinion.
It looks kind of cool though.
I kind of like it.

Serving Zion · Dec 23, 2018

Aero17 said:
Dang, so many replies already xD

@Serving Zion Thanks for the welcome! I will include an example picture at the end of this post :-D

@Hieronymus It is not mixing breeds, but rather having animals have human characteristics - like standing on two paws, etc (as mentioned in a later post)

@eleos1954 I see what you mean.... Thanks for the feedback! :-D

@Lulav I mean it as four-pawed animals walking on two
It is not that I want to improve god's creation or so, it is just that I have seen this art before and made one myself and enjoyed it. The goal of the art would be to simply enjoy making it. I would never want to change God's work:-D

@Sketcher It is a shame that people make such art and take some of it as far as to worship it :-(

Here is the reference pic I talked about (one that I made):

My greatest fear is making such art now and then, only for it to be wrong or sinful :-( I would rather leave it if it is wrong
Otherwise, it is fun to make this now and then! :-D My next piece of art will be my effort to do an art of Jesus sitting on his throne; as I saw it in my head in church one day:-D

Hey, I quite like that! .. there's a friendliness in his face that looks like a laid-back and decent sort of character that we might see in a cartoon

So I say keep at it, because "A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful one crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15)

Lulav · Dec 24, 2018

Shoetoyou said:
Isn’t this essentially what C.S. Lewis did in his generally praised Narnia series? Not a pictorial image, but his word images are as powerful, and his use of anthropomorphic animals certainly had a positive and Christian message...

Not a fan, sorry

“Paisios” · Dec 24, 2018

Lulav said:
Not a fan, sorry

Fair enough.

Andrew77 · Dec 25, 2018

Aero17 said:
Hey guys!
I am doing some research/bible study about certain topics and stuff, and there is one thing that I am left with, of which I am unsure about.

In Genesis 1:27 NIV: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

My question is - would it be a sin to create anthropomorphic art? I mean, especially considering this verse, I am wondering about this subject - I know that giving humans animal characteristics would be a distortion of the way God intended us as humans to be, but would giving human characteristics to animals in art be wrong? It seems ok to me, but I want to make extra sure, just to be safe :-D

I guess to me it isn't problematic.

I assume you are familiar with the visions of Ezekiel, which included some rather
Anthropomorphic beasts.

I think the best advice is that you should abide by whatever standards of practice are, for the Christian congregation you belong to. Ask your elders, if they have a problem with it.

Brennenstuhl · Dec 26, 2018

Consider popular, classic figures like Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse. They clearly have human and animal characteristics together. Yet you won't find Church condemning them.

Aero17 · Dec 29, 2018

Thanks for the replies guys! I really appreciate the help! :-D

continueinfaith · Dec 29, 2018

I would add that if it were truly wrong, then there would be no place in our lives for 90% of classic cartoons, fables, sports or school mascots, puppets...the list goes on and on. I think it's fine in proper perspective.

Serving Zion · Dec 29, 2018

continueinfaith said:
I would add that if it were truly wrong, then there would be no place in our lives for 90% of classic cartoons, fables, sports or school mascots, puppets...the list goes on and on. I think it's fine in proper perspective.

That is why Christianity is so chaotic. Most do not discern the spiritual food they eat (1 Corinthians 10:21, 2 Timothy 3:4-7, Romans 12).

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