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What counts as Idols that are forbidden in the Commandments?

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Jonaitis

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The first part of the second commandment (Exodus 20:4) forbids the making of any depiction of God.

The second part of the commandment (Exodus 20:5) forbids the worship or the use in worship such depictions of God, as well as anything with the likeness of anything in heaven or on earth.
 
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HTacianas

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Jens Kristian H. said:
I ask because I want to make artworks and small figurines of angels, holy people and classic bible-scenes.

As long as I don't worship them instead of God it's okay?

I'm a little confused. Please enlighten me.
Click to expand...

The prohibition against images applies only to an object that is worshipped in the place of God. Not all images or holy objects are prohibited. A rabbi once said, "if you look at an object and question whether it is an idol or not, it isn't an idol". The meaning is that a person must firmly believe that an object is an idol and give it the worship due only to God.
 
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ViaCrucis

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Jens Kristian H. said:
I ask because I want to make artworks and small figurines of angels, holy people and classic bible-scenes.

As long as I don't worship them instead of God it's okay?

I'm a little confused. Please enlighten me.
Click to expand...

None of those things are idols. So you are completely fine.

-CryptoLutheran
 
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YeshuaFollower

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Jens Kristian H. said:
I ask because I want to make artworks and small figurines of angels, holy people and classic bible-scenes.

As long as I don't worship them instead of God it's okay?

I'm a little confused. Please enlighten me.
Click to expand...
the making of these figurines is not permitted, maybe you do not worship them but some people might the commandments are clear.

Blessings,

JFF
 
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Benjamin Müller

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I wouldn't advise figurines of angels or people.

Ask yourself what is their purpose and function suppose to be? Why do you want to make them? What is the end goal?

I'm not accusing you of this in any regard, I'm only stating an observation: for one person, the purpose of making Christian-themed artwork was to make financial gains. I had a problem with this individual's motive because they were making money off off God, and therefore it seemed (I don't want to become an accuser of the brethren) but it seemed as though money was their idol/god. I get that they didn't see it that way, but from my perspective, it's not appropriate.

I can't tell you what to do either way, but I'd caution you. Examine the purpose and motives for making said artwork and weigh it honestly.
 
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seeking.IAM

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Right after God gave Moses the Commandments, he directed Moses to make a place to keep them, the Ark of the Covenant . He directed to adorn it with the creation of the images of Cherubims. Exodus 25: 18-22

18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.​
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19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.​
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20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.​
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21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.​
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22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.​
 
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Strong in Him

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Jens Kristian H. said:
I ask because I want to make artworks and small figurines of angels, holy people and classic bible-scenes.

As long as I don't worship them instead of God it's okay?
Click to expand...

I don't see why not.
People have carved and modelled nativity scenes for years. There are many paintings of religious, and Biblical, scenes and even puppets of Biblical characters.
As long as these are an aid to devotion, and not the object of devotion, there's no problem.
 
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