Comments on: Devotional #96 http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/ Running with theological scissors Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:29:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Danny http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/comment-page-1/#comment-1327 Danny Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:39:02 +0000 http://treadinggrain.com/?p=1557#comment-1327 Hey, We are an icon driven culture(see Apple v. Mcsft). No matter how early the church began to use icons is beside the point. People have been sinning for a long time. That said...I continue to break this commandment with all the others. How about keeping the Sabbath??? Hey,
We are an icon driven culture(see Apple v. Mcsft). No matter how early the church began to use icons is beside the point. People have been sinning for a long time. That said…I continue to break this commandment with all the others. How about keeping the Sabbath???

]]> By: Julie http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/comment-page-1/#comment-1324 Julie Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:37:50 +0000 http://treadinggrain.com/?p=1557#comment-1324 Yes, this is an interesting question. I'm wondering if there is a breadth of latitutde regarding this matter. It is clear from the Old Testament and Jewish tradition that no images of Yahweh, any living creature, were tolerated. However, in the Christian Era, from the very earliest days, we have found graffiti and images of Christ and various Christians. I'm wondering if there is a difference between worshiping an image - idolatry - and the usage of images to tell the story - evangelism through artistry? So, just as the preacher communicates the Gospel through words - poetry, hymns, story, statement; so the artist communicates through their medium of paint, drawing, mosaic, stained glass. Just wondering? Yes, this is an interesting question. I’m wondering if there is a breadth of latitutde regarding this matter. It is clear from the Old Testament and Jewish tradition that no images of Yahweh, any living creature, were tolerated. However, in the Christian Era, from the very earliest days, we have found graffiti and images of Christ and various Christians. I’m wondering if there is a difference between worshiping an image – idolatry – and the usage of images to tell the story – evangelism through artistry? So, just as the preacher communicates the Gospel through words – poetry, hymns, story, statement; so the artist communicates through their medium of paint, drawing, mosaic, stained glass. Just wondering?

]]> By: Danny http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/comment-page-1/#comment-1322 Danny Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:22:12 +0000 http://treadinggrain.com/?p=1557#comment-1322 Katie, (gently)you said you've never had a problem with images of Jesus. I think the question is-does God have a problem with images? i.e. the 2nd commandment. Katie, (gently)you said you’ve never had a problem with images of Jesus. I think the question is-does God have a problem with images? i.e. the 2nd commandment.

]]> By: Katie http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/comment-page-1/#comment-1317 Katie Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:32:10 +0000 http://treadinggrain.com/?p=1557#comment-1317 I've never had a problem with images of Jesus other than some of them are really unhelpful - like the pale-skinned, brown-haired blue-eyed pictures. Or, the really effeminate looking pictures. But, some of the wonderful paintings, or, some of the modern renditions. What helps me is too have an image of Jesus in a particular setting. One of my favorite images is the icon of the Trinity and the way in which each person of the Godhead is attentive to another person of the Trinity. I’ve never had a problem with images of Jesus other than some of them are really unhelpful – like the pale-skinned, brown-haired blue-eyed pictures. Or, the really effeminate looking pictures. But, some of the wonderful paintings, or, some of the modern renditions. What helps me is too have an image of Jesus in a particular setting. One of my favorite images is the icon of the Trinity and the way in which each person of the Godhead is attentive to another person of the Trinity.

]]> By: Tami http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/comment-page-1/#comment-1316 Tami Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:04:12 +0000 http://treadinggrain.com/?p=1557#comment-1316 Thanks Danny. It's a gray area for me, which is why I hope more will weigh in here. Thanks Danny. It’s a gray area for me, which is why I hope more will weigh in here.

]]> By: Danny http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/comment-page-1/#comment-1315 Danny Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:46:27 +0000 http://treadinggrain.com/?p=1557#comment-1315 Tami, I know folks who have issues with icons and likenesses of Christ. They do think it breaks the 2nd commandment. Now, before invoking the legalism charge I must tell you that they would never call out someone else on it. Just their personal interpretation of scripture. One guy told me that he didn't want to see "The Passion of The Christ" because he didn't want to see in his mind, the image of an actor's face while he looked in to the wine and bread. He has a very serious take on communion being the representation of Jesus' body on Earth. And, no he's not Catholic. Tami,
I know folks who have issues with icons and likenesses of Christ. They do think it breaks the 2nd commandment. Now, before invoking the legalism charge I must tell you that they would never call out someone else on it. Just their personal interpretation of scripture.
One guy told me that he didn’t want to see “The Passion of The Christ” because he didn’t want to see in his mind, the image of an actor’s face while he looked in to the wine and bread. He has a very serious take on communion being the representation of Jesus’ body on Earth. And, no he’s not Catholic.

]]> By: Tami http://treadinggrain.com/2009/question-96/comment-page-1/#comment-1314 Tami Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:49:14 +0000 http://treadinggrain.com/?p=1557#comment-1314 Asking opinions based on the above: (1) Would we consider a painting an image? If so, then wouldn't Michaelangelo's depictions of God on the Sistene Chapel fall under this category? (2) Considering Jesus is part of the Trinty / Godhead, do we break this commandment when we have some representation of Jesus (painting, figurine, crucifix, stained glass)? Asking opinions based on the above:

(1) Would we consider a painting an image? If so, then wouldn’t Michaelangelo’s depictions of God on the Sistene Chapel fall under this category?

(2) Considering Jesus is part of the Trinty / Godhead, do we break this commandment when we have some representation of Jesus (painting, figurine, crucifix, stained glass)?

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