The Real Jesus of Scripture Might Surprise You

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 11-22-16 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[marron]

The bible would condemn worshiping the icon. If you confuse the inanimate icon for a god, you are violating the 2nd commandment. If you wear a cross, or place a cross on your wall, or have a picture of the Lord’s Supper on your wall, or any image that recalls to mind the stories or personages from the Bible, you aren’t worshiping them. Unless you are, which almost nobody is. If you find someone who is worshiping the icon itself, then you can gently remind them to turn their worship and attention up and heavenward. But most people understand the distinction.

[marron]

Another really good piece by Charles Pope who has become one of my must-reads.

[.45 Long Colt]

Believe what you will. I won’t argue the point. The Lord will hold you accountable for the commands of His Scriptures and it is to Him you must answer. I heartily disagree with Rome on idols and graven images, but if you are comfortable taking Rome’s teaching and practice into eternity, so be it.

[Campion]

Let me expand a bit, so I don't just sound like my typically snarky self. :-)

Broad and very comprehensive in its wording ...

This isn't Scripture, but the words of some commentator of whom you approve. Fine. This isn't Scripture either, but it's the words of some commentators of whom I approve:

Acts of the Ecumenical Council of II Nicaea, AD 787

What makes your commentator better than mine? The fact that you agree with him? The fact that John Calvin agrees with him? The fact that the Muslims agree with him? None of those facts is very persuasive to me.

I'll stick with the bishops of the universal church, whose teaching authority can be traced back to the apostles in an unbroken line. You can have your self-appointed, self-anointed "Bible teachers".

[Campion]

Exactly. At the root of it, it amounts to your own personal opinion, which isn't binding on anyone else.

And, I might add, doesn't really persuade anyone who isn't already disposed to agree with you, or can't see clearly that that's all it is.

I don't think "Dr. Martin Luther will have it this way!" is really a foundation for Christian doctrine, or even for clear thinking about any topic.

[.45 Long Colt]

It also would forbid the making of the image or icon.

[Campion]

Priestly garb is just a more modern version of what the high priest and Pharisee’s wore - the one’s who arranged and called for Jesus death......

Clothing doesn't somehow become evil because bad people wore it.

Most of the "garb" to which you refer was explicitly commanded by God, in the Torah, to be worn.

Christian clerical attire is only weakly connected to Jewish ceremonial attire anyway. Most of it is directly descended from the ordinary men's attire in the later Roman Empire.

[Gamecock]

God created us in His own image, and we have been returning the favor ever since!

[Campion]

It also would forbid the making of the image or icon.

Do you have pictures of Jesus in your church's Sunday school materials?

God became visible to us in the person of the incarnate Christ, of whom Scripture says directly that he is the eikon of the invisible God.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I can appreciate ethno-racially accurate images of Jesus and Mary: after all, they were real people in real human history, and it's a little odd if they are portrayed as anything else, as if George Washington couldn be portrayed a Japanese....

On the other hand...

People inevitably will, and really should, portray them as the most beautiful, or dignified, or innocent, or noble, or sublime, or attractive, or lovable, or regal, or simple, or awesome people they can imagine.

This will come from the best in their culture, and this is the product of devotion. Ain't nothing wrong with that.

It also reminds us that all this is for US and for OUR salvation... whether "us" means Koryak reindeer herders or someone who lives in Trump Towers!

One of my many favorites:

[Mrs. Don-o]

Love it!

[Mrs. Don-o]

No violation. These images are not being made to be adored: hence, no idolatry.

No harm, no foul.

[faucetman]

Since I have actually READ the bible, I know the Real Jesus.

So I am NOT surprised.

The author quotes the following scripture.

Matthew 7: (NIV) The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

One of the most PROFOUND statements in scripture.

The percentage of people going to heaven (FEW) is VERY SMALL compared to the percentage of people going to Hell (MANY) is HUGE.

REPENT! Ask for forgiveness. Accept Jesus as Lord and His free gift of eternal life in heaven with Him.

OR

Spend eternity without God, without any chance of parole or mercy, in ETERNAL anguish and suffering that DOES NOT END.

THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES. You decide in THIS life whether you will accept Jesus on His terms or you don’t.

Heaven if you do, Hell if you don’t. Period! FOREVER.

[truthluva]

For later

[Mrs. Don-o]

"Broad and very comprehensive in its wording, the second commandment forbids the worship of the true God through icons, images, or other man-made symbolism."

It most certainly does not. I believe this to be a radical anti-Incarnational point of view, which historically was strongly influenced after the 6th century AD by the doctrine propounded by Islam.

[Biggirl]

Taking sacred scriptures to the extreme. Be careful doing it.

[Biggirl]

You got that right.

[.45 Long Colt]

Absolutely not. My church’s Sunday school material is the Bible. We preach and teach verse by verse. Right now we are doing 2 Timothy in adult Sunday School.

[Biggirl]

There is a word for it.

[.45 Long Colt]

Believe what you will