Should I get rid of this artwork?

[Dave-W]

Jesus isnt a lion hes depicted as a lamb in the Bible.
He is the lamb of God.

Revelation 5:5 and one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

The Lion IS the Lamb.

 

[Neogaia777]

He was/is the "lion AND the lamb" the crow and the dove, even a serpent (Bronze), but he is all of them, and he is none of them, he can act like a chameleon, and be any or all of these, yet, his own true Identity, lies in none of these, in the end...

See here: Perception comes from possessing different perspectives...

Peace,

God Bless!

He has a name that only he himself knows...

God Bless!

 

[Daniel Sumner]

Hello
I would say you should indeed keep it, but when you are having people over you know it offends, put it away so they cannot see it. It is not about if they are petty or small, but about respect.

 

[Blade]

jtrevor99 lol..man.. we are God pleasers not man pleasers. Its your home.. not theres and there nothing wrong with it..unless its some kind of idol.

My dad use to have tons of ACE Pawell pictures and bronze buffalo and Indian things. Praise GOD

 

[Sammy-San]

Revelation 5:5 and one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

The Lion IS the Lamb.

Are the elders angels or redeemed?

 

[Dave-W]

Are the elders angels or redeemed?

We read elsewhere there are 24 elders. Most commentators believe they were the 12 Apostles and the 12 sons of Jacob.

 

[BukiRob]

I normally don't splurge on decorations or artwork of any kind. But six months ago I saw a small bronze statue of a lion that I really liked, so I purchased it for display in my home.

Most visitors to my home haven't commented on it, or if they did, they've said they like it. But two have made comments that make me wonder if I should get rid of it.

The first called it a waste of the resources God gave me. I'm not a materialistic person, driving an 18 year old car and living below my means, and I own no other art. I also have enough left over to pay the bills, tithe and volunteer. So I can understand their point, but I'm not sure I agree with it.

The second comment is the one that really bothers me. Because the statue is fully anatomically correct, one person called it "pornographic". It never occurred to me to think of it in those terms; I just appreciated that it was a realistic representation of one of God's most majestic creatures. But if it's going to be a stumbling block for anyone, or draw this kind of attention, perhaps I should get rid of it. I certainly do not want it to cause any kind of immoral thought.

So, what do you think?

You can see photos of (a more expensive version of) the statue here: Extra Large Wild African Lion On Prowl Wildlife Safari By Barye Bronze Sculptu | eBay

Some people have their heads stuck in their..... well, you get the idea.

I would just laugh at them if they said that to me

 

[※※♡Rose○Gold○Macaron♡※※]

for the person who was having a hard time about it being "correct" you should tell them: "Sorry! I forgot to put the underwear on it before you came over! My bad!".
tulc(just a thought)

This reply... XD

 

[mikeirvan]

I get an error message when I tried to see what it was of, but if it's a statue from say ancient rome or greek or some other vintage art I don't see what the big deal is. Also note: the apostle paul was always around folks that were not believers, and was interested in things they liked and that's how he was able to witness to them. Not every christian will like everything you own, but we all have our own convictions. Just because someone comes in your home and is convicted to not have certain art so they feel necessary to say something doesn't mean you're convicted to not have them either. if they have a problem with it, take it down when they come visit or just don't invite them to your home.

 

[※※♡Rose○Gold○Macaron♡※※]

Also note: the apostle paul was always around folks that were not believers, and was interested in things they liked and that's how he was able to witness to them

I'm not trying to call you a liar, but this intrigues me. Is there a passage in the Bible that says this? I didn't really remember is Paul did this or not, and if he did, that's pretty cool. I'm just curious, please don't think I'm trying to prove you wrong or start a debate, no, not at all, I just want the context reported in Scripture, as that records Paul's history of Ministry and witnessing to unbelievers.

 

[mikeirvan]

I don't recall the verses off hand, but if you study any of his writings you will see that he enjoyed what others enjoyed as a way to witness to others. I think one thing he said a lot in his writings is something a long the lines of, "i was a friend to all."

 

[Greg Merrill]

Not desiring to prove one thing or another, but 1Co 9:22 comes to mind: "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Paul was a tent maker, and two of his friends, Aquilla and Pricilla, were also tent makers.

 

[brudspirea]

I know this is an old thread, but if they regard such a statue as pornographic I'm more concerned about how they view animals than I am about the statue. Both complaints are absurd, imo.

 

[Heavenhome]

I know this is an old thread, but if they regard such a statue as pornographic I'm more concerned about how they view animals than I am about the statue. Both complaints are absurd, imo.

I agree with you there.
Absolutely absurd.

If any person's focus when they see an animal, whether a statue or in real life is, to look at their genitals, they have a real problem and should be told so.

Or at the very least, politely told that is how God created them and they, unlike man didn't sin, so didn't need clothing!

 

[Aaron_Bethlhm]

The Apostles and the disciples all agreed with Jesus and obeyed God the Father when they were living right and in union with Jesus.
Likewise, they all said in perfect harmony with all Jesus taught and did, and with God's Word:

"whoever loves THE THINGS OF THE WORLD cannot

cannot,
cannot, be a friend of God."

 

[Aaron_Bethlhm]

But if it's going to be a stumbling block for anyone, or draw this kind of attention, perhaps I should get rid of it. I certainly do not want it to cause any kind of immoral thought.

So, what do you think?

It would then be best to delete the photos of it, and to burn it.
(from what effect you and others said it sometimes has)
(and from all the Bible says concerning stumbling blocks)

 

[aiki]

I normally don't splurge on decorations or artwork of any kind. But six months ago I saw a small bronze statue of a lion that I really liked, so I purchased it for display in my home.

Most visitors to my home haven't commented on it, or if they did, they've said they like it. But two have made comments that make me wonder if I should get rid of it.

The first called it a waste of the resources God gave me. I'm not a materialistic person, driving an 18 year old car and living below my means, and I own no other art. I also have enough left over to pay the bills, tithe and volunteer. So I can understand their point, but I'm not sure I agree with it.

The second comment is the one that really bothers me. Because the statue is fully anatomically correct, one person called it "pornographic". It never occurred to me to think of it in those terms; I just appreciated that it was a realistic representation of one of God's most majestic creatures. But if it's going to be a stumbling block for anyone, or draw this kind of attention, perhaps I should get rid of it. I certainly do not want it to cause any kind of immoral thought.

So, what do you think?

What does God say?

Romans 14:13-15 (NASB)
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

The love of God directs us to put aside our wants, to constrain our living, for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ. As has already been said, if you intend to have those who found your statue offensive back in your home, you should put away the statue while they're there. Do not purposefully cause offense to other believers.

Personally, I think there is nothing wrong with owning the statue. What of those who have pets whose anatomy is unavoidably on display? Is it pornographic to have a dog or cat walking about that isn't wearing a pair of pants?

Enjoying beauty, which is what you're doing with the artpiece, is nowhere forbidden in Scripture. A lion is certainly to be preferred over a sculpture of a naked woman being clutched at by a naked man, as Greek and Roman sculptures sometimes depict.

 

[tulc]

The Apostles and the disciples all agreed with Jesus and obeyed God the Father when they were living right and in union with Jesus.
Likewise, they all said in perfect harmony with all Jesus taught and did, and with God's Word:

"whoever loves THE THINGS OF THE WORLD cannot

cannot,
cannot, be a friend of God."

...didn't the Lord make lions anatomically correct? So how can being accurate in depicting what the Lord does be considered wrong?
tulc(just a thought)

 

[John Helpher]

The second comment is the one that really bothers me. Because the statue is fully anatomically correct, one person called it "pornographic".

This shouldn't bother you. Animals show their junk all the time; they're animals.

However, the materialism thing may have more merit. It's fine to enjoy art, but collecting stuff rarely results in moving closer to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus warned that life cannot be found in the things we posses (Luke 12:15). He told a parable about choking weeds and said the interpretation was that the weeds represent the riches of this world (Matthew 13:22). He said his followers should forsake all they have (Luke 14:33), that they should stop working for money (and the things money can buy) (Matthew 6:24) and instead use their time to work for love (Matthew 6:33).

Art isn't sinful, but the collection of material goods can be deceitful. If you're worried about material possessions, the best way to deal with that is to follow Jesus' teachings.