Artwork and Christianity

[Tubba Blubba]

I have thought for a long time about this classic verse of Exodus 20:

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Does this mean that all artwork which seeks to depict anything is forbidden, or only that which might inflict desires of idolatry?

I used to believe that it referred to idolatry, but upon further inspection, it seems to outlaw both idolatry and making any sort of work which seeks to depict something else. I have decided to remove all art in my house for this reason.

How do you True Christians™ deal with this issue, given that artwork is so prominent in today's corrupt society?

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Artwork and Christianity

The emphasis is on "graven" - anything carved or etched or otherwise cut out of a solid substance.

Idolatry is a grave sin.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Deuteronomy 5:1-22
2 Chronicles 15:13 Whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

For what it's worth, all the so called "Modern Art" I have ever seen, appears to be the work of a demented 6 year old and unlikely to be worshiped.

[Tubba Blubba]

Re: Artwork and Christianity

Ah, I see, so it should be read "... graven image, or any [graven] likeness..."?

That makes sense! I think I can put the paintings of the torment in Hell back up on the walls then.

[Pastor Rune Enoe]

Re: Artwork and Christianity

Ah, I see, so it should be read "... graven image, or any [graven] likeness..."?

It "should read" exactly what it says: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

You can make all the graven images you want of all things on earth as long as they don't live "in the earth". The same thing goes for fish, since they don't live "in the water under the earth". The only caveat is that you're not allowed to bow down to them and serve them. Of course that really goes without saying, but just to make sure God says so explicitly in the next verse:

Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

The emphasis is on "graven" - anything carved or etched or otherwise cut out of a solid substance.

And likewise you're prohibited from making molten images:

Exodus 34:17 Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.

[Tubba Blubba]

Re: Artwork and Christianity

Ah, so for instance, I can make a graven image of a tree, but not a graven image of a worm, since the worm lives in the Earth?

[Pastor Rune Enoe]

Re: Artwork and Christianity

Ah, so for instance, I can make a graven image of a tree, but not a graven image of a worm, since the worm lives in the Earth?

That's is the way I read those verses. At least if you intend to bow down and serve the worm.

Actually your question is a bit tricky since the Son of Man is also a worm.

Job 25:6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: Artwork and Christianity

I realize this isn't the exact topic of this thread, but one can never be reminded too often, not to have anal sex with other men.

[LordHaveMercy]

Re: Artwork and Christianity

I realize this isn't the exact topic of this thread, but one can never be reminded too often, not to have anal sex with other men.

Brother Jenkins, the LORD has indeed graced you today with a perfect sense of timeliness, GREAT IS HIS MERCY. We are truly blessed to have this reminder, at this time. The pastor and I are back to a REGULAR, NORMAL bible study period with NO interruptions.