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Hi Kim,
The second commandment (Exodus 20:4) says, "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above..."
Therefore it is a bad idea to make an image of God, whether in 2D or 3D, to worship it.
People wear cross ornaments for many reasons, most likely that they are expressing their faith in Jesus by wearing jewellery representing Him. No, wearing a cross does not protect its wearer from evil at all. Better that a believer puts on the armour of God as described in Ephesians 6.
Not all pictures of Jesus show Him with blonde hair and blue eyes... some show Him as a dark-skinned and dark-haired man with dark eyes. We humans tend to create God in our own image; that extends to images of Jesus as well. There are no Scriptures describing the details of his colouring. Rather, "His appearance was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men" and "He had no stately form of majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isaiah 52:14 and 53:2).
The second commandment (Exodus 20:4) says, "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above..."
Therefore it is a bad idea to make an image of God, whether in 2D or 3D, to worship it.
People wear cross ornaments for many reasons, most likely that they are expressing their faith in Jesus by wearing jewellery representing Him. No, wearing a cross does not protect its wearer from evil at all. Better that a believer puts on the armour of God as described in Ephesians 6.
Not all pictures of Jesus show Him with blonde hair and blue eyes... some show Him as a dark-skinned and dark-haired man with dark eyes. We humans tend to create God in our own image; that extends to images of Jesus as well. There are no Scriptures describing the details of his colouring. Rather, "His appearance was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men" and "He had no stately form of majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isaiah 52:14 and 53:2).
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Isaiah 53......we would not even look twice at him....no beauty, no strength.....an average Jewish man that NO ONE would be attracted to....and I absolutely despise images, paintings and pictures of JESUS.........and even more hatred for statutes of him or any other man of the bible.....
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According to various hints from the Word, in Isaiah He is said to be not exceptionally good looking as for people to look upon Him as so, as such, Isaiah, and elswhere in the Song of Solomon He is said to be dark, not black, not white, not red, not yellow, dark. I take that to mean swarthy enough to be from any color, and that in itself is not important enough to dispute or argue over.
When we considser come th Kingdom we will all be just like He is, but not He, it is a lot to consider, and glorious.
All this said, anyone who cannot see beyond the color of that flesh is yet in the flesh. We are all descended from Adam who is descend from God…….that should satisfy allthat we are truly one family.
When we considser come th Kingdom we will all be just like He is, but not He, it is a lot to consider, and glorious.
All this said, anyone who cannot see beyond the color of that flesh is yet in the flesh. We are all descended from Adam who is descend from God…….that should satisfy allthat we are truly one family.
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People naturally fill in the blanks with what they know best. A white person may naturally view a white Jesus, for example. Unless it is understood or shown to not be true.
I've also seen black and Asian Jesus, though those aren't true, either. So why were those made?
Ultimately Jesus racial representation is irrelevant. No one has seen a photo or painting, so no one Actually knows what he looks like. So why do people make any image at all intended to be Jesus? Seems to me salvation isn't relevant to his skin or eye color.
And neither is it likely that satan has red skin, a long pointy tail and a pitchfork but growing up, and for hundreds of years before, that's what people used to represent him.
Neither do we have a biblical knowledge of how satan sounds yet people will often relate certain types of noises or sounds as sounding "demonic". Really they are applying Hollywood satan and thinking they're being biblical, when they aren't.
So it's not uncommon for biblical figures to be misrepresented, even by Christian's. But is it worth worrying about?
I've also seen black and Asian Jesus, though those aren't true, either. So why were those made?
Ultimately Jesus racial representation is irrelevant. No one has seen a photo or painting, so no one Actually knows what he looks like. So why do people make any image at all intended to be Jesus? Seems to me salvation isn't relevant to his skin or eye color.
And neither is it likely that satan has red skin, a long pointy tail and a pitchfork but growing up, and for hundreds of years before, that's what people used to represent him.
Neither do we have a biblical knowledge of how satan sounds yet people will often relate certain types of noises or sounds as sounding "demonic". Really they are applying Hollywood satan and thinking they're being biblical, when they aren't.
So it's not uncommon for biblical figures to be misrepresented, even by Christian's. But is it worth worrying about?
The cross is not an image of God.. So having one or not having one is of no real issue.. And i see no Biblical support for the belief that wearing a cross is going to protect one from anything..
Also i believe pictures of Jesus are against the will of God.. The only descriptions of Jesus in the Bible was a prophecy that he would not be a handsome man.. So Jesus was probably a pain looking man..
During the dark ages northern Europeans who had no contact with people from the area of Israel had nothing to go on when they imagined Jesus.. So they made up an idealized northern European image of Jesus with blond hair and blue eyes.. A similar thing happened in Ethiopia in Africa where Jesus was depicted in paintings as a Ethiopian this was done before the blond and blue eyes Jesus came to be depicted.. But yeah in any case it is wrong to make a depiction of Jesus no matter if the depiction is black or white or Indian or Mongolian..
Also i believe pictures of Jesus are against the will of God.. The only descriptions of Jesus in the Bible was a prophecy that he would not be a handsome man.. So Jesus was probably a pain looking man..
During the dark ages northern Europeans who had no contact with people from the area of Israel had nothing to go on when they imagined Jesus.. So they made up an idealized northern European image of Jesus with blond hair and blue eyes.. A similar thing happened in Ethiopia in Africa where Jesus was depicted in paintings as a Ethiopian this was done before the blond and blue eyes Jesus came to be depicted.. But yeah in any case it is wrong to make a depiction of Jesus no matter if the depiction is black or white or Indian or Mongolian..
K
I'm speaking specifically about Jesus. Yes, it is a cause for worry, but not about the image being black or white. It is a matter of idol worship.
Are we to follow the commands of God, or are we to continue in the traditions of man? The place where the first Christians worshiped, Jesus said in the parable that the wheat and the tares grow together. So we can't say if it were the true worshipers of God who are responsible for those paintings. And were those biblical art depictions of Jesus?
Are you saying I should not ask a question?
By the way, when Jesus told parables, have you guys noticed that he never puts God as a character? Have you guys noticed that? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Are we to follow the commands of God, or are we to continue in the traditions of man? The place where the first Christians worshiped, Jesus said in the parable that the wheat and the tares grow together. So we can't say if it were the true worshipers of God who are responsible for those paintings. And were those biblical art depictions of Jesus?
Are you saying I should not ask a question?
By the way, when Jesus told parables, have you guys noticed that he never puts God as a character? Have you guys noticed that? Correct me if I'm wrong.
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If pictures (ikons) or statues are being used for worship, they are unacceptable to God. However, if there are pictures illustrating Bible narratives according to the artists' imaginations, that is not the same thing. Jesus used parables to illustrate divine and spiritual truths, and as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
This probably began as superstition, and now crosses have become ornaments.
The early painters were all European, and that is why we have those imaginary depictions. They had probably never seen Palestinian Jews. Nothing to get too concerned about.
This probably began as superstition, and now crosses have become ornaments.
The early painters were all European, and that is why we have those imaginary depictions. They had probably never seen Palestinian Jews. Nothing to get too concerned about.
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I've read that because God became a human being, it is ok to make art of Jesus. The New Testament changed a lot of rules, but the Lord said he came to fulfill law of religion, and Paul said the law of grace rules now. James said, "mercy triumphs over judgement," now. This doesn't mean offenses are excused, only that the cross of Christ is greater than all offenses for those who turn to God's perfect justice and mercy. God's people are not subject to man's corrupted justice, but neither are we excused of all offenses, and must face God's perfect mercy, or perfect wrath depending on our relationship with Christ, and our repentance in life.
The Lord was Jewish, and so was of a tone between black and white, and did not have blonde hair. But, like angel's, he could appear to anyone in any way necessary, including blonde hair.
This website has a painting of the Lord by a black artist:
https://www.thecollectionshop.com/x...ed-edition/S.COATCOLORS./A.33/qx/Fine-Art.htm
The Lord was Jewish, and so was of a tone between black and white, and did not have blonde hair. But, like angel's, he could appear to anyone in any way necessary, including blonde hair.
This website has a painting of the Lord by a black artist:
https://www.thecollectionshop.com/x...ed-edition/S.COATCOLORS./A.33/qx/Fine-Art.htm
I also agree with what has been said here, that the armor of God is spiritual. But once I was wearing a cross at a deliverance meeting, and a lady with some spiritual issues, became fixated on it and disturbed. So it does have an effect. But it would be sacrilegious for a Christian to wear a cross as just decoration, and not for the love and power of God.
There is nothing wrong when acting with a clear conscience in the sight of our Father. This is not to be taken as license to act without any conscience at all in the sight of God as many practice this very day.
As for wearing a cross, I have come to not care to though I never have, I do not think any wearing one in due regard of our Savior is doing anything wrong.
All to many people who claim to believe the Word seem to be searching for offences……...Quijote-esque.
As for wearing a cross, I have come to not care to though I never have, I do not think any wearing one in due regard of our Savior is doing anything wrong.
All to many people who claim to believe the Word seem to be searching for offences……...Quijote-esque.