If you lived as Christ, you are His Tabernacle and therefore, if you are a saint, man may create images according to what is shown to them from heaven. Saints are living tabernacles meaning the presence of Christ is in them. Everything built in the Old Testament, was a physical man-made creation according to what was shown from heaven. Just like the old covenant Ark was a symbol of the New Testament Ark -Mary, so too is the Tabernacle which is Christ. Each saint is a reflection of both- in the minor. True saints are worthy to have their pictures taken, with whatever manner of operation used throughout history. People who take issue with images of saints being made, in essence- have a problem with picture taking.
That picture is given based off a life worthy of praise because God has exalted that person to sainthood. What we are not to do is, ONLY use images to show faith rather than act according to the example of the faith shown through whatever saint. Unfortunately, too many people think by having icons, images and relics means holy, when their lives are less than holy.
Religious art is an acceptable honoring of God. " Behold I make all things new", art is a medium by which the Creator's story can be depicted. It was especially beneficial for those who were illiterate. Christian Orthodox art was exceptional in that.
Now, do I think every person declared a saint by the Catholic church is a saint, no. But the depiction of actual saints is cool, and a great historical record of a life well lived. I personally love Christian Orthodox art and depictions. Point is, all glory to God even in His minors! Trust me even Jews for Christ agree!
Leviticus 26:
Additional Blessings of Obedience
1“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.
What is an idol; an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.
Well, to make images depicting Christ is not just any god but depicting THE GOD, come in flesh. This type of art, based on what was shown to us from heaven, invokes a memory, that for those who love Him- is pleasing to God. This image of Christ is too depicted as I said- in the depiction of images of His saints.
A sacred pillar: a tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or metal, used as a support for a building, or as an ornament or monument.
Now clearly, God has no problem with pillars, after all the Temple of Solomon and Herod's temple were built according to what was shown from heaven and documented by His prophets. There were pillars everywhere.
What God is referring to here, concerning pillars is, the phallic pillars that pagans erected which were symbolic of a penis. PERIOD. Clearly, offensive! I mean since God's prowess was not in His penis, as Christ clearly shows nor is that a man's strength in God, his faith is! So, I agree that the Pillar or Phallic symbol in St. Peter's square in Rome is a ding, dong approach by men who try too hard to make themselves relevant according to the world's standard. And sticking a statue of St. Peter upon it is corny. Just should not be there.
Forbidden Forms of Worship
21Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, 22
and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.
And the bottom line, we should not be bowing to any graven image of a saint, just as the saints would not want us to bow to them in life.
Acts 10:
Peter Visits Cornelius
24The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25
As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. 26But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”…
Since the Roman Catholic Church likes to tout Peter the Rock as their example, then stop bowing to one another. Ya know it happens.
Moral of the story is, images shown from heaven are just reminders and art, not the embodiment of a soul, but are simply a memory captured and can invoke reverence toward the creator. Look upon them with that in mind. People need to stop being weak minded and irrational, fighting over Christian memories captured in time. It is simply Christian art!
As I said my Jewish brothers agree.