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IMAGE
WORSHIP or VENERATION?
History teaches us that for approximately two hundred years there was no
veneration of images or their use in worship in the early Church.
The decoration of buildings and that mostly on the outside was the only
acceptable use of images by either Christian or Jews up until the sixth century.
The Jews never have used images for worship except while in error.
It is thought that this glaring weakness of
the Church may have helped to energize the growth of Mohammedanism. The
acceptance of images may have been why so many Christians and Jews found
Mohammedanism so attractive. It appears that many Christians and Jews alike
became disenchanted with their religions and Mohammedanism appealed to them
because of its hatred of Idolatry.
There were some Churches who never accepted images, but they were out
numbered by those who did.
Early Christians chided pagans for their worship of inanimate objects. Some
of the pagans replied that they worshipped the gods they represented, not the
images. The Christians then asked them why they did not raise their eyes to
heaven if that was the case?
Early Christians were charged with atheism because they were careful not to
do anything that would appear to be worship of an Idol or picture, etc. In this
early period they had the same abhorrence of images as the Jews.
The Synod of Elvira decreed that "pictures ought not to be allowed
inside the churches". Why? lest these things be worshipped or adored. It
has been said that history reveals the oriental churches as having a great
tendency to worship objects.
From the first century to the sixth no one called Christians Idol
worshippers. In the seventh century both the Jews and the Mohammedans raised
this charge against Christians because of their numerous statues, and pictures,
etc.
It is peculiar that some still believe it is advantageous to bow before a
supposed likeness of Christ or Mary.
How can bowing before some graven image, that may or may not look like them,
help us focus on the literal person or spirit of God? Can a figure made after
the imagination of some persons mind transcend faith? Can an image be sensibly
used as an inspiration for approaching the unimaginable transcendence of God by
faith? We use our hands to produce some image that reminds us of God? Is this
not an insult to God?
John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither
thy finger, and see my hands; and reach (hither) thy hand, and put it into my
side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 Thomas answered and said unto
him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me,
thou hast believed: blessed (are) they that have not seen, and (yet) have
believed.
2 Cor 5:6 Being therefore always of good courage,
and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the
Lord 7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight); (ASV)
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt,
not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is
invisible. (KJV)
1 Pet 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now
for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,
7 that the proof of your faith, (being) more precious than gold that perisheth
though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at
the revelation of Jesus Christ: 8 whom not having seen ye love; on whom,
though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy
unspeakable and full of glory: (ASV)
How can images give us and advantage over the experiences of the Godly of
the Old Testament? They prayed to God in heaven. The New Testament reveals no
different tradition. Are we now in need of something that neither the early
Church nor the people of the Old Testament needed?
I King 8:54 And it was so, that when Solomon had
made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he
arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his
hands spread up to heaven.
Ezra 9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up
from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my
knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled
down, and prayed with them all. 21:5 And when we had accomplished those days,
we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives
and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore,
and prayed.
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; (KJV)
We are to bow or worship God through the name "Jesus" by faith.
Each believer has an unction and does not need any artificial help. A living
teacher, and or the Bible, yes. But no inanimate graven object.
Your friend Vern
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