Violation of second commandment?

[edie19]

I love going to museums to see paintings of Jesus -- particularly by those considered to be "masters" such as Dore. I don't worship the paintings. The message contained in the painting is what I look at or for.

It may be something I need to spend more time and prayer studying, but at the present moment I am thankful for artists who portray Jesus who loves us enough to endure the death on a cross and then is raised triumphantly to life.

I've always appreciated Salvador Dali's "The Last Supper". I saw it when I was around 8 years old (at the National Art Museum in Washington). I don't think I've seen anyone use light in quite the same way before or since. The same vacation trip (we went from DC to NYC) I saw Michelangelo's Pieta at the World's Fair. Even as a young child I remember being astounded by the detail in the carving - Michelangelo matched the veining in the marble to the veins on the arms & legs of Christ's image. So - my opinion re: images isn't exactly carved in stone (no pun intended).

edie

 

[pinkieposies]

To which I say - good for you. Maybe if more people walked out on poor theology there'd be more good theology out there.

Haha!

What I couldn't understand was how it didn't seem to bother anyone else in there. It was as if they were completely oblivious to how obviously wrong it was. It was very sad...

 

[McWilliams]

Easy to see how people are taken in also with all the seeker sensitive marketing ploys, feel good messages!

Definitely reminds me of the verse:
Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Certainly applies to today! I can imagine how difficult that service was for you Erin! The positive response of others only made it worse for you!

When we weigh these issues, right or wrong its hard to remember at times that our comfort isnt the concern, nor is our opinion! So many people hear about 'election' and say, 'Thats not fair'. Who are we to say such a thing? We're just little mud balls being shaped by a holy potter and we'd best remember our place and bow before a holy God, asking what He thinks!
Sin invades the brain and life in a sneaky, slow and deadly way if we dont make the Word our business!
May our sweet Lord guide each of us and keep us in His path of truth!

 

[pinkieposies]

Easy to see how people are taken in also with all the seeker sensitive marketing ploys, feel good messages!

Definitely reminds me of the verse:
Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Certainly applies to today! I can imagine how difficult that service was for you Erin! The positive response of others only made it worse for you!

When we weigh these issues, right or wrong its hard to remember at times that our comfort isnt the concern, nor is our opinion! So many people hear about 'election' and say, 'Thats not fair'. Who are we to say such a thing? We're just little mud balls being shaped by a holy potter and we'd best remember our place and bow before a holy God, asking what He thinks!
Sin invades the brain and life in a sneaky, slow and deadly way if we dont make the Word our business!
May our sweet Lord guide each of us and keep us in His path of truth!

God Bless,
Erin

 

[JimfromOhio]

I always have been taught regarding "image" means corrupting our thoughts with any images or things or anything that takes away God's time with us. God requires absolute devotion from us and He does not want any images takes His place. Which means, He does not want us to place Him second place in our lives. Spiritual renewal begins when we put God in his rightful place-first. Our hearts (core) are seated deep within our minds where they pollutes our emotions (desires), the intellect (imaginations) and the will (purposes). The seduction of image have been very strong and very successful since the days of the Old Testament books. Throughout the Bible, God have warned people to be careful of using images because we could slip into it almost without noticing it. Images bascially means an excessive devotion or reverence to an object or objects (visable and invisable). So, regarding "images, in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (NLT)

 

[ClementofRome]

I've always appreciated Salvador Dali's "The Last Supper". I saw it when I was around 8 years old (at the National Art Museum in Washington). I don't think I've seen anyone use light in quite the same way before or since. The same vacation trip (we went from DC to NYC) I saw Michelangelo's Pieta at the World's Fair. Even as a young child I remember being astounded by the detail in the carving - Michelangelo matched the veining in the marble to the veins on the arms & legs of Christ's image. So - my opinion re: images isn't exactly carved in stone (no pun intended).

edie

Not to mention that Dali's "Crucifixion" is a complete mind blower! What a piece of work. Can we not appreciate those inspired to present what is on their heart and on their mind, knowing that these things are not objects of worship?

 

[erin74]

I must admit that I have never heard this idea with regard to the second commandment before.

My gut instinct is that it's not worship, so it's not a problem. I think that there can be some unhelpfulness (is that even a word) when it is within a church - people will confuse anything as being more than it is when it's put inside a church. But a calander seems pretty innocent to me. And the Jesus video has been quite helpful at getting people to consider Jesus again..... but not sure about how true to the gospel it is - I have heard mixed reports on it. I didn't want to see it - I'd already read the book!

I once heard a great story. Not sure if I've related it here, but it's pretty interesting so sorry for those who have heard it before.

A minister started at a new church. The congregation were very friendly and welcoming. A few weeks in he was required to do communion. He did the service from the book as he normally would. On the way out he found that some of the members of his congregation were quite cold to him, and some even refused to shake his hand. Eventually one pointed out that he didn't touch the cross during the communion service like the previous minister had. He was a bit puzzled. He knew the last minister and was surprised to hear of this strange behaviour during the communion. So he rang him and asked him about it. The guy began to laugh. He said that he usually wore shoes with synthetic soles, and as the carpet was also synthetic he had found that he gave the first person who he gave communion to an electric shock. So before giving communion he used to reach up and touch the metal cross so as to earth himself.

Just goes to show how people will take anything and attach a meaning to it if it isn't explained properly. I could so see this happening with pictures also.

erin