http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/ Thoughts on God and life from a Christian perspective Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:51:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1915 Ray Fowler Tue, 02 Oct 2007 01:39:08 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1915 Great points, tototu! We have a discussion of the Sunday message right afterwards on Sunday mornings, and these were some of the same points that came out in our discussion last week, too. Thanks for contributing! Great points, tototu! We have a discussion of the Sunday message right afterwards on Sunday mornings, and these were some of the same points that came out in our discussion last week, too. Thanks for contributing!

]]> http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1913 tototu Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:53:01 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1913 The problem with graven images is that people almost always imbue them with reverential powers or regard. The reliquaries throughout the world are often beautiful to look at, but designed to encapsulate just that sin. As to creating a depiction of Jesus or images conjured in the Bible through art, men have tried to create a tangible expression of their admiration. It is when these items are "blessed", such as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or "holy water" that they are corrupted and contravene the Word of God. Lest we think this only occurs in Catholic arenas, many Charismatics end up revering healing kercheifs such as occurred in the Pauline epistles and set them apart as iconistic artifacts. Thank God for grace and the liberty that is in Christ. We none walk guiltless, save for His Blood. The problem with graven images is that people almost always imbue them with reverential powers or regard. The reliquaries throughout the world are often beautiful to look at, but designed to encapsulate just that sin. As to creating a depiction of Jesus or images conjured in the Bible through art, men have tried to create a tangible expression of their admiration. It is when these items are “blessed”, such as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or “holy water” that they are corrupted and contravene the Word of God. Lest we think this only occurs in Catholic arenas, many Charismatics end up revering healing kercheifs such as occurred in the Pauline epistles and set them apart as iconistic artifacts. Thank God for grace and the liberty that is in Christ. We none walk guiltless, save for His Blood.

]]> http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1865 eclexia Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:01:55 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1865 Oops--paraments isn't a new word--I meant to say "parameters" :) I appreciate the way you "talk theology" in ways that I can understand. Thanks. Oops–paraments isn’t a new word–I meant to say “parameters”
I appreciate the way you “talk theology” in ways that I can understand. Thanks.

]]> http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1861 Ray Fowler Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:53:55 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1861 That is very close to the point I was making. I also like to use the phrase "putting God in a box" for this, but I like your illustration of the genie in the bottle, too. I may use that in the future! That is very close to the point I was making. I also like to use the phrase “putting God in a box” for this, but I like your illustration of the genie in the bottle, too. I may use that in the future!

]]> http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1844 eclexia Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:18:14 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/09/26/what-is-wrong-with-making-an-image-of-god/#comment-1844 I'll never forget when my OT professor explained this to us--that it wasn't just about not worshiping a different God, but about trying to recreate the God we already say we believe in into a form we can see. We do seek to know God, but if we think we've got Him figured out, we're in trouble. I tell my kids, when we try to make God make sense, we are wanting to put Him in a box (He is like this, so He has to do this) and in some ways we act like we think He's a genie: if we just figure out the paraments and rules that this God operates by, we can get Him to do whatever we want. I don't know that that's exactly the same point you're making, but I think it is connected. I’ll never forget when my OT professor explained this to us–that it wasn’t just about not worshiping a different God, but about trying to recreate the God we already say we believe in into a form we can see.
We do seek to know God, but if we think we’ve got Him figured out, we’re in trouble. I tell my kids, when we try to make God make sense, we are wanting to put Him in a box (He is like this, so He has to do this) and in some ways we act like we think He’s a genie: if we just figure out the paraments and rules that this God operates by, we can get Him to do whatever we want. I don’t know that that’s exactly the same point you’re making, but I think it is connected.

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