here's what i think.
exodus 20 is my reference.
---
i dont like seeing crosses in churches... i see them as idols.
neither do i like seeing pictures of Jesus anywhere.
nor do i like any figurines of Jesus or God anywhere.
even movies (such as passion of the Christ) i dont like because i see it as idolotry. some actor is portraying themselves as Christ. not good.
any cartoons etc.
its idolotry and shouldn't be allowed in the church the way they are today.
Idolatry In About Every Church
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by gekko, Jul 14, 2006.
-
-
preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
its idolotry and shouldn't be allowed in the church the way they are today
so the cross is a divine figure...it possesses divinity? interesting.
I guess we should worship the Cross and not the Savior that hung on it
anyhoo...try not to make your preference/conviction (which does not carry the weight of Scriptural evidence) normative for all the rest of us who don't share your limited view -
well. the reason i dont like it. is because scripture does not like it.
of anything in earth (cross, cows, etc.
of anything in the water.
its not just a personal conviction. but its supported scripturally.
-
Gold Dragon Well-Known Member
The error of iconoclasm arising from an incorrect interpretation of the second commandment has been around in Christianity since 700AD.
-
IDOL'ATRY, n. [L. idololatria. Gr. idol, and to worship or serve.]
1. The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.
Idolatry is of two kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, &c. made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies,the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals.
2. Excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on adoration.
I don't know anybody who woships a wooden cross in a church. I do see catholics bow down and even kiss the statue of Mary, which I believe is idolatry.
-
what's wrong with taking the second commandment literally?
are we not to take the rest of the ten commandments literally?
i take the defenition of idolotry from the scriptures. not some dictionary. -
Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
The first thing to notice is the context of the Second Commandment: It is in regard to making idols, not mere representations.
The second thing to notice is that, if your interpretation is correct, then God doesn't think very highly of the Second Commandment. After this commandment is given, God instructs Moses to create:
- Cherubim for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:18-20)
- Almond blossoms for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:33-34)
- Bronze serpent as a point of faith for healing (Numbers 21:8)
Therefore, your interpretation/application of the Second Commandment cannot be correct. -
Gold Dragon Well-Known Member
-
ok. i guess i'll cherry pick what i want to interpret as literal and figurative then...
that's ok with me. its not biblical. but i guess i'll do it anyways.
---
gosh. some people's kids. take it as it is. do not have any graven images. of anything representing heaven or earth or water.
nobody knows what Jesus looks like.
if you gonna have a picture of Christ - have a picture of white light. -
We have a cross on our church. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other, since it's not idolatry in itself. However, if I pulled into the parking lot and there were people out there bowing down to it, it would matter and I would push to have it pulled down.
-
If you take it too literally, you won't accept artwork... A painting of scenery, or even a painting of fruit on the table, would be suspect.
-
The cross does not fit the definition of a graven image. You have a closer argument with statues and pictures. But the cross is a symbol that reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ and the cost of our salvation. It is not a graven image in any since. Now a crucifix does constitute a graven image. Do you see the difference?
Bro Tony -
yes. thank you all. a friend of mine has been asking these questions.
and so i thought i'd play the "devil's advocate" if you know what i mean.
i'll have to chuckle here. cause none of you realized it. pretty sneaky ay?
God bless. -
I don't think it was being sneaky. It was lying.
-
-
-
Baptist Believer, I did not think about the Ark of the covenant. You raise an interesting point as it contained the mercy seat and was GOD ordained. Do you think any of them ever saw a Cherubim? How would they know how or if they made one if no one knew how one looked? -
gekko said:
what's wrong with taking the second commandment literally?
Nothing. Taking the second commandment literally means that a) you don't make graven images, then b) worship them.
Neither drinking nor driving is illegal in itself, but drinking and driving is a serious offense. Similarly, the second commandment, taken literally, does not forbid the making of images, nor does it forbid worship. It forbids worship of images. The wooden cross on a Baptist church is not an object of worship; it is a symbol of the faith, nothing more. -
If you'll read exodus 20 carefully you'll see it says some often forgotten words " to worship them", do not make images to worship. Otherwise your family photos would be a no no as they are images of soemthing God created.