Question for Evangelicals

[vegan]

I recently left the R.C.C.  I have been attending a Southern Baptist Church.  I still have a Crucifix hanging in my apartment, as well as a statue of Joseph, an orthodox icon of Mary and Jesus, a picture of Mary, assorted saint cards, a relic of Padre Pio, etc.

I was wondering what the Baptist/Evangelical outlook is on such things?  I have no problem with the Crucifix, but what is the Evangelical view on this (so I can consider it or at least expect a certain reaction when my pastor pays me a visit)?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[carmen]

Thats a good question vegan. By the sounds of it whatever the reponse is
you will handle it well. I would expect the most likely reponse is that
he may take it to the Lord in prayer. Or to gently give his beliefs on them
to you. At the end of the day it is between you and God. I would not
give the devil a toe hold to concern yourself about it. Believe that the visit
will go very well.

If God wants to talk to you he will. I had a dream many years ago about
a budda in a box I had not opened for years that had my great grandmothers bits and pieces in. It was not my budda but an old flat mates
I didnot know it was there. So the budda was got rid of and I know it was God revealing it to me to be disregarded. If God wants you to get rid of them I am sure he will reveal it to you too. And the reason also.

 

[JourneyFaith]

I agree with Carmen on this Vegan.

Really its a matter of who/what your worshipping in the end. Are you worshipping the crucifix, staues, pictures of Mary, emblems of St. Peter, or are you worshipping God. Thats what it basically boils down to. Again, if God wants you to release some of these things He will put it on your heart.
And if the pastor comes by and says something about them or makes suggestions, listen with a heart towards God.

May the Lord bless you abundantly with His Peace



Your Brother In Christ

Ken

 

[ZiSunka]

When I became a Christian, I had to put away such things for a while, to separate myself from the things I did as a Catholic. I needed to make a clean break so I could unlearn the teachings of Catholicism and learn the teachings of the Bible.

I gave the things to friends who were still catholic, except for personal items that belonged to my mom and grandma, which I gave to my sister for safe keeping.

It was good for me, so I could let go of catholic thinking and embrace my new relationship with Chirst.

Maybe it would help you, too.

 

[EJO]

I agree mostly with what has been said here.
The issue that you are bring up, from what I gather is idolitry- right?
If it is then here is my thoughts:
Not only is the issue of what you worship, and who you pray to, but the presence of God as well, let me explain if I can get my thoughts out properly...
Sometimes christians experience God lets say, at a retreat, and the feel a "rush" which is not a bad thing, it usually evidence of the Holy Spirit.
So the said christian goes back home from the retreat, and wants to feel that closeness to God again, and it is harder to do when they come back to the "real world"
The person can have the tendancy to want to go back to the location that they felt God at that particular time. They substitute the relationship/presence with God with a location, item, feeling. " If I could only feel that same way I did when I went to the retreat, I really felt God there..."
In actuality we need to continue our relationship and and have the presence of God in our lives at all times, everyday. It is possible with prayer, adn reading/meditating on God's Word. The Bible.
That way there is no risk with trying to get a "feeling" of God through idolitry when we can "know" the truth with a Reletionship with Him.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

I used to think catholics were idolaters. Then I learned what the statues were for. That makes a heck of a lot of sense to me. If they are to help illustrate the story of Jesus, there's nothing wrong with that.

I know this is a sad comparison, but we don't worship action figures.
These are just action figures that tell a story.

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by Mr.Cheese
I used to think catholics were idolaters. Then I learned what the statues were for. That makes a heck of a lot of sense to me. If they are to help illustrate the story of Jesus, there's nothing wrong with that.

I know this is a sad comparison, but we don't worship action figures.
These are just action figures that tell a story.

Not to pick a fight, but ask yourself why they are still used in churches where most of the congregation is literate and able to READ and hear the story of Christ. And ask yourself why so few of the statues are of Christ or depict anything about his life. Except for the "stations of the cross" plaques, not many of them are about God.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

I'll have to say the answer is probably tradition.

 

[ZiSunka]

Exactly. Not because they are action figures depiting the life of Christ, but because churches traditionally have them. They are art at best. But they haven't been used to teach about the faith in several centuries. So whoever told you they were teaching tools is parroting a very old answer, and not one that stands up to much scrutiny anymore. And I've seen an awful lot of catholics kneel down in front of them and pray, light candles and leave money offerings. That smacks of idolatry to me.

They are a stumbling block to a lot of people and should be done away with, even if they are traditional. They aren't needed anymore, since we are a literate world, and they turn alot of people off and make the apperance of being idols. They keep catholics separate from other believers and cause alot of dissention and hostility. No tradition is worth that.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

I think we have illustrated the answer for vegan.
The stations may create some friction among his new church family.
Arguing about them is counterproductive to unity in Jesus Christ.
Paul said "To the Jews I became a Jew..."
If putting them away will promote unity then I would advocate that.

 

[Homie]

Hey. In my house we have some small statues, I am not catholic but we have them anyway. Most of them we picked up on vacations in catholic countries. First we had a statue of David on our fireplace with great lighting (it is the first thing you notice when you enter the room), then we got a statue of Jesus and he got the prime location and David was moved to our piano. I think the statues look nice, honours God and shows visitors we are proud christians.

However, I can understand your concern lambslove. I remember when we visited Rome and some people were praying to Mary and kissing the feet of a statue of her, or something like that, I was only 5-9 years old so I don't remember exactly. But what I do remember clearly (as it made a great impact on me) was that I became enraged, I yelled to my mother "This is idolatry!!!" and she became quite surprised that a little child like myself could feel so strongly about such a matter.

Well, my advice is that I doubt your new ministry would dislike a crusifix or 2 hanging on your wall, a Buddha on the other hand...