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Icon breaking

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Bro. Ruben, Feb 13, 2011.

  1. Bro. Ruben

    Bro. Ruben New Member

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    For sure this topic has been discussed before. Maybe someone can lead me to the link, then the moderator can delete this thread.

    One of the subjects we're discussing in our weekly Bible Study is idolatry. I have to collect more insights on proper way to break icons. They will be added to what I have now.

    Your input will be highly appreciated.

    Many thanks.

    In Christ,
    Bro. Ruben
     
  2. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    Anything that comes between you and God is an idol. The topic must have nothing to do with works of art because God required works of art in his tend and temple.
     
  3. Bro. Ruben

    Bro. Ruben New Member

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    You're perfectly right, thanks for the input.

    However, maybe people here might share their knowledge and insight like on how to properly destroy icons kept by newly converted brethren in their homes.

    We know this is a very serious act that can cause much trouble in the community.
     
  4. David Lamb

    David Lamb Active Member

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    I wonder what you mean by "the proper way". Do you perhaps mean "the way that causes least upset to the as-yet unconverted members of the new Christian's family"? Or are you asking if there is some laid-down method for breaking up icons/idols?

    Looking at your second post, it seems that the first of my suggestions is the one. If that is the case, then I would think that the person becoming a Christian in the first place be more upsetting than the method the new Christian employs to break up his icons, to unconverted family members. But seeing where you are, you probably know far more about this sort of thing than I do.
     
  5. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    The OP uses the word icon. The first reply uses the word idol. Which are we talking about, icons or idols? There is a big difference.
     
  6. David Lamb

    David Lamb Active Member

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    As I understand it, the difference is one dimension; idols are three-dimensional, and icons two-dimensional. But is the use of one any more biblical than the use of the other?
     
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    What are you guys talking about? Give me an example.
     
  8. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    They're talking about the picture of Jesus holding a lamb that hangs in the narrthex of their church. :laugh:

    Well, actually, they are talking about the symbols of the faith that some denominations use, such as statues of saints, rosary beads, Bathtub Mary, etc.

    Either these items are "holy" or they are concrete, plastic, wood, etc. Decide, then either toss them in the garbage, or bow down to them. I'd recommend the garbage route.
     
  9. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    I am not an expert on icons, but I do know enough to know that your understanding of icons is incorrect. I have asked a number of people here in Europe about them and not one person sees them a substitute for Jesus, God, etc. Rather they see them as something to help them think about Jesus and God. I am also sure that there is a very small number of people who see them in the way you express and that is, as you say wrong.

    Icon means image.Most think of pictures when they hear the word icon. But that is too narrow an understanding. The cross that Christians wear is, in truth, an icon.



     
  10. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    I get it... That's why I said what I said... Talk about tossing the picture of Jesus in the garbage and see what happens. Talk about tossing the cross in the garbage and see what happens. People worship these things and think they're worshiping God. They think that tossing out an old picture is akin to tossing out Christ!
     
  11. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Icons? That's so passe.
    Trendy churches call their images "visual arts":laugh:
     
  12. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    And the ones who do rarely have the same affection for those "visual arts" as do those who hold "icons" and use them for prayer, access to God or saints, etc.

    Visual arts are just that -- visual arts -- pictures, paintings, etc., that speak visually what the Word speaks in, well, words. No worship or veneration involved. Those practicing visual arts have no qualms about tossing a picture when they finish using it. Try that with a true icon...
     
  13. Bro. Ruben

    Bro. Ruben New Member

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    Thanks, David.

    Well, "the proper way" may be applied to both " the way that causes least upset to people and laid-down method for breaking up icons and idols", as you have mentioned.

    To others: please, this is a very serious matter of discussion. Our Bible Study is tomorrow night and I am still hoping to read additional info; thanks for the verses shared though. But quite disappointed as I haven't seen any significant ideas to share with the newly converted souls in our church.

    We meet weekly (our church is in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia) in spite of the prohibition to gather; to endanger our career and family just to teach people of things of God is indeed a sacrifice. Besides, we're doing all this for FREE.

    God bls.
     
    #13 Bro. Ruben, Feb 17, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 17, 2011
  14. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    You had better never visit my place......:type:, lots of icons and religious imagery here.
     
  15. Bro. Ruben

    Bro. Ruben New Member

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    I sure won't. And thanks for warning me.

    God bless you.
     
  16. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    In days gone by, icon-breaking was a favorite pastime among some Reformed enthusiasts. Image-bearing church windows were often targets, even gravestones:eek:

    Here is an account of Wm. Whittingham and his Huguenot wife's acts at Durham.

    (some may recognize Whittingham as editor of the Geneva Bible)

    Google Books
    What a thrifty one, she! Recycling others' too-fancy gravestones as her threshold stones to be trodden underfoot.:tear:
     
    #16 Jerome, Feb 17, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 17, 2011
  17. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    How incredibly offensive, I only wonder what stopped them from desecrating the bones of the dead.
     
  18. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    >However, maybe people here might share their knowledge and insight like on how to properly destroy icons kept by newly converted brethren in their homes.

    Jesus talked about this in his teaching about worrying about the speck in the neighbor's eye while the questioner had a log in his.
     
  19. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    The Reformation in National Context (France):
    "Puritan Aethetics" (Britain):
    "Calvinists and "Papist Idolatry""(Low Countries):
    Photo of a sculpture in Utrecht defaced by Calvinists:
     
  20. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    The whole iconclast thing sounds like Islam to me, think on the criminal act of blowing up the cliff Buddha in Afghanistan....which certainly was of historical and artistic value even if you were not Buddhist.
     
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