Symbols

[Classik]

The pictures of Christ we see today are never Christ at all. As s child I believe the pictures were HIS really....until I grew up. Even till this day some believe so. Actually, from what I was informed, the pictures we see are those of an ordinary actor who played the part, Christ Jesus.

Not only pictures, other things like cross, rings etc showing Christ on the cross etc...are all these necessary? All these really have had and do have a lot of influence on people.

Does it look like a kind of idolatory?

 

[Willie T]

To a certain extent, yes, it does.

 

[Gary]

The pictures of Christ we see today are never Christ at all. As s child I believe the pictures were HIS really....until I grew up. Even till this day some believe so. Actually, from what I was informed, the pictures we see are those of an ordinary actor who played the part, Christ Jesus.

Not only pictures, other things like cross, rings etc showing Christ on the cross etc...are all these necessary? All these really have had and do have a lot of influence on people.

Does it look like a kind of idolatory?

It is idolatry. All of it.
.

 

[WIP]

This might be a good topic for the A&T forum. I might question your assertion, Gary, as I think one would have to define "idolatry" before it can be determined whether these things are fitting of that accusation. Although I personally wouldn't argue the topic but I think it would be interesting to see the arguments presented by some of you members of this this site.

To that extent, I think these things could be idolatrous but they don't have to be. I don't think they are just by their being but they become idols if we worship them. Having a cross hanging on the wall in our home for example to serve as a daily reminder of the sacrifice made by our saviour, Jesus, to me would not be an idol. But if I prayed to that object and put my faith in it, that's different.

 

[Classik]

This might be a good topic for the A&T forum. I might question your assertion, Gary, as I think one would have to define "idolatry" before it can be determined whether these things are fitting of that accusation. Although I personally wouldn't argue the topic but I think it would be interesting to see the arguments presented by some of you members of this this site.

To that extent, I think these things could be idolatrous but they don't have to be. I don't think they are just by their being but they become idols if we worship them. Having a cross hanging on the wall in our home for example to serve as a daily reminder of the sacrifice made by our saviour, Jesus, to me would not be an idol. But if I prayed to that object and put my faith in it, that's different.

You last sentence reminds me of how many abuse the use of olive oil

 

[WIP]

I'm not aware of what you're talking about with regard to abuse of olive oil. We use it in cooking but I don't think we abuse it.

 

[Obadiah]

I'm not aware of what you're talking about with regard to abuse of olive oil. We use it in cooking but I don't think we abuse it.

Many olives that have been painfully crushed would disagree.

 

[WIP]

Do you mean crushed or squeezed? I know I enjoy gettting squeezed (hugged) once in a while.

 

[Obadiah]

This might be a good topic for the A&T forum. I might question your assertion, Gary, as I think one would have to define "idolatry" before it can be determined whether these things are fitting of that accusation. Although I personally wouldn't argue the topic but I think it would be interesting to see the arguments presented by some of you members of this this site.

To that extent, I think these things could be idolatrous but they don't have to be. I don't think they are just by their being but they become idols if we worship them. Having a cross hanging on the wall in our home for example to serve as a daily reminder of the sacrifice made by our saviour, Jesus, to me would not be an idol. But if I prayed to that object and put my faith in it, that's different.

Yeah, I agree completely. A picture or any other symbol that serves only as a reminder of something else is not an idol and isn't wrong. That's a lot different than someone (as I've seen some do) who reveres and prays to a statue or picture of Jesus or some other person and trusts in that thing to hear their prayers. That's idolatry, and that's what was being referred to when we are commanded not to make any "graven images".

 

[Classik]

I'm not aware of what you're talking about with regard to abuse of olive oil. We use it in cooking but I don't think we abuse it.

Not about using it for cooking. Some I know kind of find it hard to pray without using it.

 

[Gary]

I might question your assertion, Gary, as I think one would have to define "idolatry" before it can be determined whether these things are fitting of that accusation.

Deuteronomy 4
15 “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,
16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,



Male and female. These two look familiar?

.

 

[Classik]

Some seem to have more intimate attachment with such symbols than with God HIMSELF.

 

[Gary]

Some seem to have more intimate attachment with such symbols than with God HIMSELF.

That's why God said, "Don't".

 

[Willie T]

Yeah....... I suspect He saw all this a commin' down the line a long time ago.

 

[jasonc]

icons.

ok what about the nehustun/brazen serpent? what about the menorah? what about the mercy seat? those all save the nehustun represent something about jesus

 

[follower]

It is idolatry. All of it.
.

plain and simple. it is blatant idolatry, deceptive, false, and 'instead of truth'. it has been used for many centuries and people have swallowed the camel without even choking on it ! but tell them the truth, one little bit even, and they cough it up! they can't stand it.

 

[reba]

Deuteronomy 4
15 “Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,
16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,



Male and female. These two look familiar?

.

those ain't carved

 

[reba]

is the male/female symbol in the avatar's idolatry?
is having a picture of your child idolatry?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Not about using it for cooking. Some I know kind of find it hard to pray without using it.

"14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him." (James 5:14-15 NASB)

The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and it being a balm in healing. Olive oil has no power in and of itself, but the faith attached to it's use does. Not to mention it makes a great Ceasers Salad... but don't ask for_his_glory, though,....she uses motor oil.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

icons.

ok what about the nehustun/brazen serpent? what about the menorah? what about the mercy seat? those all save the nehustun represent something about jesus

As you know the brass serpent was destroyed by Moses because the Israelites had turned it into an idol.