short answer: At a time in history when only priests were allowed to read and interpret the Bible, where Faith was based on what was seen and heard, visual cues were important communication techniques: i.e., Satan’s Demons are real and they will get you. Nobody is worshiping the gargoyles so they are not idols. If, as a symbol of the Wrath of The Almighty, they scare demons, that’s a good thing. It’s a timesaver for St. Michael’s crew. Or an early-warning system, even.
Quote~ short answer: At a time in history when only priests were allowed to read and interpret the Bible, where Faith was based on what was seen and heard, visual cues were important communication techniques: i.e., Satan’s Demons are real and they will get you. Nobody is worshiping the gargoyles so they are not idols. If, as a symbol of the Wrath of The Almighty, they scare demons, that’s a good thing. It’s a timesaver for St. Michael’s crew. Or an early-warning system, even.
___________________________________________________________
So if only the priests at that time, read and interpreted Scripture, then it was the priests that decided it was ok to adorn a “house of worship” with demonic gargoyles.
Quote~ short answer: At a time in history when only priests were allowed to read and interpret the Bible, where Faith was based on what was seen and heard, visual cues were important communication techniques: i.e., Satan’s Demons are real and they will get you. Nobody is worshiping the gargoyles so they are not idols. If, as a symbol of the Wrath of The Almighty, they scare demons, that’s a good thing. It’s a timesaver for St. Michael’s crew. Or an early-warning system, even.
So what is being said here about the defense of using gargoyles, is to “ward off evil”
So if this is the case, then surely there must be Scripture which backs that up right?
This is what Jesus Himself said about this “practice”
Matthew 12:21-28 King James Version (KJV)
21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
My favorite was of the statue standing there holding his own head in his hands at waist level. An angel on either side. I presume that would be John the Baptist.