A poster asks:
- Christians do not know what jesus or what mary looks like then why do they make statues of them?
I think its wrong because in the bible ther are no discriptions of what jesus's face looks like then why make idols of him?
then how can people think of making idols
Isnt this ideology like hinduism and does this mean worshipping idols?
so if not know what jesus looks like i think every christians should stop makin idols because it is desrespect.
Here's my reply. What are your thoughts?
Hi,
What is and is not idolatry is debatable.
The biblical prohibitions against idolatry are related to the Jews being the Chosen People. As the specifically separated emissaries of HaShem (God) the Jews were commanded to adhere to strict rules in their worship of "the God of Israel" that do not apply to Gentiles. These laws were issued to maintain the unique status of the Jews as they confronted other peoples and their religious practices. The Jews also used images, consider the ornate design of the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Temple etc. but they were not to worship these images or to use them as spiritual conduits.
As for what Master Y'shua looked like, there is an amazing similarity of descriptions that has been passed down to us. This description is very similar to the image on the Shroud of Turin and the idealized images stemming from it.
Under Islam such images are flatly condemned, as we saw during the Muslim riots over the Denmark children's book. This anger stemmed from genuine religious faith, but evidenced Islam's lack of tolerance and understanding of other cultures and religions. As with the ancient Buddha statues in Bamiyan that were destroyed, such acts reflect Islam's essential lack of respect for other cultures and traditions and are rightly referenced as warnings to the world as the Islamic Ummah continues to grow and spread worldwide.
Christians on the other hand have generally accepted the use of statues, icons and pictures as methods of keeping the mind focused on God and teaching people about Him. Christians generally believe that photographs, statues, etc. can be effective reminders to give God thanks throughout the day and the solace of knowing that, "this too will pass." Christians do not worship these images (with rare exceptions). They use them as spiritual inspirations and reminders.
The same is true of most Hindus by the way. Hindus are not "idol worshipers." Indians have long been among the most spiritually awake people on the planet. Globalization is now effectively destroying this historic spiritual center of India, but so far it survives. In India representations of spiritual realities are still everywhere and serve as constant reminders of God's presence in our daily lives. They bring the importance of spiritual life to mind. For instance, one day while walking through the streets of Vrndavana I came across the following roadside alter to Lord Jagannatha (the Visnu Avatar of Mover of Immovable Things from Whom comes the English word juggernaut).
Sri Jagannatha murti and a pujari (priest) on a Vrndavana sidewalk
(the woman is partaking of offered "holy water")
God is obviously far far greater than ANY image made with human hands, but by seeing religious representations we are reminded of God's presence in our daily lives and this can not help but be a good thing.
It is also important that we remember that the Holy One is not limited by human taboos either. If God wishes to be known through Hindu murtis, Christian paintings and statues, ancient stone buildings, etc. we would surely be wise to accept this. God has chosen to reveal Himself in countless and diverse ways throughout history. Who are we to say that one is better than the other?
As we read in Micah 6:6:
- Wherewith shall I come before HaShem, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7 Will HaShem be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth HaShem require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
What is and is not idolatry is debatable. As the prophets foretold, greed and lukewarm practice and observance are Christianity's main problems today (Rev. 3:15-20), not the use of these images in my opinion.
The Face on the Shroud of Turin
Prophet Y'shua as Generally Conceived
May the One God smile on us all,
~John of AllFaith
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