Can Christians Promote False Images of Jesus?

[Bible Highlighter]

Can Christians Promote False Images of Jesus?

Many people think Jesus looks like a white European when in reality Jesus is a Jew and we do not actually have any actual picture of Him. But many in the church today create images of Him that look like a white European (no doubt because they are white). Yes, I am white, too. I am so white, it's like I am a white rabbit hopping down the bunny trail. If I take off my shirt, I can probably blind some people. Be that as it may, I realize that Jesus is not like me in skin color. Ancient people from the middle east are generally mid tone in skin tone color and they are not white and neither do they look European. In Exodus 20, we learn that we are not to even make graven images (which is in relation to God or anything to be worshiped). My wife and I have come to not have any pictures of any animals in the home even. For in the past, animals were worshiped and they still are today. We should not seek to make anything an idol or be like the world in any way. I know. People say it is just art. But I think there is a difference of using art in a way that is for communicative purposes vs. say something that hang everywhere in a person's home like an idol. We humans tend to want to serve ourselves and our own needs. We want to be like the world. But as Christians, we cannot be that way. We have to be holy and separate and different. This takes time for God to talk to our heart and for us to be open and ready for change towards dedicating our life more to Him.

If I say, "Picture Jesus".
What is the first image that comes to your mind?
Jim Caviezel?
Jeffrey Hunter?
The famous paint of Jesus by Warner E. Sallman?
The painting of Jesus from a young girl, Akiane Kramarik (based upon her own vision)?
The Orthodox paintings of Jesus?

The only description we have of Jesus is in Revelation. It is not a detailed police artist sketch of what He actually looked like. But we do know Jesus is Jewish and many try to create false images of Him and think that is fine. All I can say is pray about it, and seek the Scriptures in regards to false graven images in the Bible. Nowhere does God want us to have imagery that is a representation of Him hanging around.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I vote... "no."

 

[icxn]

If I say, "Picture Jesus".
What is the first image that comes to your mind?

My neighboor. (Matthew 25:40)

 

[Bible Highlighter]

"...even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer." (2 Corinthians 5:16) (NASB).

Context:

"...so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart."
(2 Corinthians 5:12) (NASB).

 

[Bobber]

Ha....even if you had a real picture of Jesus it wouldn't do you any good. The only thing that matters is having his word in your heart in abundance. Those are the only things he energizes with his life and power.

We should be smart enough to know too that if there was any importance to knowing what Jesus looked like.....blond hair, black hair, brown or even purple he would have made sure there were cameras invented in that time. He didn't so what's that tell us?

We follow Jesus after the Spirit and not after the flesh anyway....his word are Spirit and Life.

 

[solid_core]

Because we do not have His photo, its impossible to say that this or that image of Him is false.

He was only half-Jew and to be a Jew does not mean that you must have a typical middle eastern look of today's Jews, Palestinians or Arabs. There is also a huge variety and you would not be able to distinguish between some middle eastern men and some Europeans, for example Italians or Spaniards.

Also, its practically irrelevant, because after the resurrection, His body is spiritual and He looks differently than before it (His disciples were not able to recognize Him before He spoke).

Its also good to notice that His genetical ancestor (king David) was "adomni", which means "red hair" or "golden hair" (blond).

Jesus was not probably blond and blue eyed as frequently depicted, but even this is not impossible. Even some black men can have blue eyes. And regarding hair, if David could have blond or red hair, Jesus could too.

 

[GospelS]

The only description we have of Jesus is in Revelation.

What about the image of Jesus mentioned in Isaiah 53? I believe that's how He looked as a man.

He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2

 

[Bible Highlighter]

What about the image of Jesus mentioned in Isaiah 53? I believe that's how He looked as a man since the prophecy said so.

He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2

The image of Him in Revelation is that of a man, too. But we do not have a police artist sketch type description of Jesus in the Bible. The closet description of His appearance is in Revelation with him having white hair, etc.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Ha....even if you had a real picture of Jesus it wouldn't do you any good. The only thing that matters is having his word in your heart in abundance. Those are the only things he energizes with his life and power.

We should be smart enough to know too that if there was any importance to knowing what Jesus looked like.....blond hair, black hair, brown or even purple he would have made sure there were cameras invented in that time. He didn't so what's that tell us?

We follow Jesus after the Spirit and not after the flesh anyway....his word are Spirit and Life.

Problem is that many seek to make pictures of Jesus and we have to tell them that such pictures are not Jesus and they can lead to a form of idolatry.

 

[GospelS]

The image of Him in Revelation is that of a man, too. But we do not have a police artist sketch type description of Jesus in the Bible. The closet description of His appearance is in Revelation with him having white hair, etc.

Yes, but that is the glorified Jesus in heaven. We can't say He looked just like that during His earthly life. So Isaiah 53:2 would be close to His appearance as a man while on earth.

 

[icxn]

"...even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer." (2 Corinthians 5:16) (NASB)

This reminded me of a certain story:

In Egypt, in whose ancient Christian past there had once been many grand monasteries, there once lived a monk who befriended an uneducated and simple peasant farmer. One day this peasant said to the monk, “I too respect God who created this world! Every evening I pour out a bowl of goat’s milk and leave it out under a palm tree. In the evening God comes and drinks up my milk! He is very fond of it! There’s never once been a time when even a drop of milk is left in the bowl.”

Hearing these words, the monk could not help smiling. He kindly and logically explained to his friend that God doesn’t need a bowl of goat’s milk. But the peasant so stubbornly insisted that he was right that the monk then suggested that the next night they secretly watch to see what happened after the bowl of milk was left under the palm tree.

No sooner said than done. When night fell, the monk and the peasant hid themselves some distance from the tree, and soon in the moonlight they saw how a little fox crept up to the bowl and lapped up all the milk till the bowl was empty.

“Indeed!” the peasant sighed disappointingly. “Now I can see that it wasn’t God!”

The monk tried to comfort the peasant and explained that God is a spirit, that God is something completely beyond our poor ability to comprehend in our world, and that people comprehend His presence each in their own unique way. But the peasant merely stood hanging his head sadly. Then he wept and went back home to his hovel.

The monk also went back to his cell, but when he got there he was amazed to see an angel blocking his path. Utterly terrified, the monk fell to his knees, but the angel said to him:

“That simple fellow had neither education nor wisdom nor book-learning enough to be able to comprehend God otherwise. Then you with your wisdom and book learning took away what little he had! You will say that doubtless you reasoned correctly. But there’s one thing that you don’t know, oh learned man: God, seeing the sincerity and true heart of this good peasant, every night sent the little fox to that palm tree to comfort him and accept his sacrifice.”

Context:

"...so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart."
(2 Corinthians 5:12) (NASB).

 

[Michie]

Jesus represents us all. He can be depicted culturally and is. Mary is represented the same way throughout the world. The point is not what they looked like in the flesh but that they are representative of all believers.

 

[Lost4words]

The shroud of Turin shows the true image of Our Lord Jesus Christ

 

[Bobber]

Problem is that many seek to make pictures of Jesus and we have to tell them that such pictures are not Jesus and they can lead to a form of idolatry.

Can lead doesn't mean it does. If one has a picture of Jesus (and there's no REAL such thing) but OK some image of a male with a beard hanging on the wall....well if they turn to that image and are praying to it actually believing power and life is actually coming from the picture....well yes that's wrong and ridiculous. I don't think though 99% of people who have just an artist picture that's supposed to be Christ are doing that.

 

[IntriKate]

What Jesus looked like in human form is irrelevant to who he actually is. His body was temporarily serving a purpose for us to know his nature. He wants us to focus on the inner not the outer.

 

[Tolworth John]

Can Christians Promote False Images of Jesus?

Yes in many ways, not just as white, blond hair and blue eyes, but also as a sugar daddy who gives you what you want, as the sentimental do folder who won't punish wrong doing,, as the benevolent misty eyed kind heart fool who winks at wrong doing.

Take your pick or put in what ever is popular as an image of Jesus.

Just remember Jesus is holy, there is no sin not even a hint is sin in him.
He is just and mercifull. More Loving than we can begin to imagine. After all he died that we might live.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Can lead doesn't mean it does. If one has a picture of Jesus (and there's no REAL such thing) but OK some image of a male with a beard hanging on the wall....well if they turn to that image and are praying to it actually believing power and life is actually coming from the picture....well yes that's wrong and ridiculous. I don't think though 99% of people who have just an artist picture that's supposed to be Christ are doing that.

Re-read Exodus 20. It says not to even make the graven image. Also, when they started to worship the serpent on the pole falsely they destroyed it. They did not keep it hangin' around anymore. It became an idol. The thing is that people have prayed thinking of Jim C. In their minds, etc. Why? We are bombarded by white versions of Jesus. He is European is what their paintings say. But He is not a white European but He is Jewish. It would be like creating a random drawing of a person and saying it was Jesus. That's what people are doing. They promote it as if it is Jesus on some level. I don't believe it is correct.

 

[timothyu]

The only description we have of Jesus is in Revelation.

Isaiah 53:2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

 

[Albion]

Many people think Jesus looks like a white European when in reality Jesus is a Jew and we do not actually have any actual picture of Him. But many in the church today create images of Him that look like a white European (no doubt because they are white).

Yes, but black people have pictures of a black Jesus and Asians have pictures of Him looking Japanese or Polynesian, and most people know that He could not have looked just like any of these. So it seems like a minor issue...and definitely is not one that should prompt any racial accusations.

 

[Basil the Great]

If the Shroud of Turin is really an image of Jesus, then that would be the most accurate physical image.