Idolatry

[Daniel Carlton]

I am currently reading through the first three centuries of church fathers and completed the majority. I will have the rest read before the end of the year, God willing.

And there seems to be a sin that is unanimously condemned by the early Christian writers - idolatry. And they define idolatry exactly how the second commandment describes it: you shall have no graven image, you shall not bow to them. So the making of something and venerating that created object.

Is this not a problem for certain churches who claim to be following apostolic teaching?

 

[NBB]

People can also worship all kinds of things, like important people, or sports, art, or themselves, or who knows what.

 

[RileyG]

I am currently reading through the first three centuries of church fathers and completed the majority. I will have the rest read before the end of the year, God willing.

And there seems to be a sin that is unanimously condemned by the early Christian writers - idolatry. And they define idolatry exactly how the second commandment describes it: you shall have no graven image, you shall not bow to them. So the making of something and venerating that created object.

Is this not a problem for certain churches who claim to be following apostolic teaching?

Keep reading and researching:

Council of Constantinople (843) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[RileyG]

Exodus 25:10-22

Notice how the Ark of the Covenant is constructed.

Was that idolatry? No.

 

[ozso]

Keep reading and researching:

Council of Constantinople (843) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

He's talking about the first three centuries though.

 

[RileyG]

He's talking about the first three centuries though.

Ope! My mistake! I see!

 

[ozso]

Exodus 25:10-22

Notice how the Ark of the Covenant is constructed.

Was that idolatry? No.

The Ark wasn't a personification though. Nor was it personified.

 

[RileyG]

The Ark wasn't a personification though. Nor was it personified.

Well? I don’t want to go off topic, but I appreciate your comments.

Peace

 

[ozso]

Well? I don’t want to go off topic, but I appreciate your comments.

Peace

Not off topic. The Ark is a great point. I offered a counterpoint. That's my job as CF's contrarian pain in the neck.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Is this not a problem for certain churches who claim to be following apostolic teaching?

No.

See: The Second Council of Nicea.

Iconoclasm is heretical for a reason.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

The Ark wasn't a personification though. Nor was it personified.

There were literally "graven images" of cherubim upon the Ark which covered the kapporet where the Divine Glory--the Shekinah--dwelt.

So clearly depictions like this were not violations of the 1st Commandment's prescription against worshiping other gods and idolatry.

-CryptoLutheran