"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."
Exodus, 20:4 (The 2nd Commandment - from which Jesus Christ said no Christian is excused)
I thought Michelangelo's David was a pretty good likeness really. Oh well, scripture is scripture, what to do...
2006-07-31 06:57:49 · 20 answers · asked by the last ninja 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians ARE held to the commandments, read the New Testament before talking rubbish.
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:18-19
2006-07-31 07:03:50 · update #1
lupering: a painting is a likeness
2006-07-31 07:06:59 · update #2
I guess God just doesn't like art. Art begets and is evidence of independent thinking and emotion. Did you watch Equilibrium?
2006-07-31 07:00:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not me. And I'm not even an art lover.
However, the person above me who said that Muslims would join in....Have you never seen Islamic artwork? It is some of the most beautiful art in the world. It is true, though, that most Muslim artists will never depict the face of Muhammed, or any of the prophets, including Jesus, in a realistic fashion, because it is considered to be disrespectful.
One of the most beautiful forms of artwork is the Qur'an. A true copy of the Qur'an is written in gorgeous calligraphy, breathtakingly and painstakingly created by hand. Truly gorgeous. And the writing inside is really impressive poetry, even if you don't agree with what it has to say. I believe that everyone who mistrusts Muslims, as an entire people, should read the Qur'an cover to cover. Know your friends, know your enemies, and don't decide which they are until you do.
And, to comment on the comment above me...actually, the questioner is correct. David is a Jesus figure. And "graven" doesn't mean disrespectful. You might want to look that one up.
2006-07-31 14:05:37 · answer #2 · answered by Jacida 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, the Mona Lisa? Was DaVinci Christian?
David? Was Michelangelo Christian? And if it was Jesus, why name it "David"?
And with the addition of "graven" to the commandment, it could just mean that we can't make any images that are disrespectful, not no images at all.
2006-07-31 14:02:50 · answer #3 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because we are following the Bible means that we are to destroy things unless we are directed by God to do so.
Idols and graven images only become a problem when they take the place of God. God's point in this verse was that no one should worship anything or build anything that they themselves would worship.
If we have to cut up all that is a portrait or a portrayal of others shouldn't someone burn your baby pictures that are hanging on the walls in your parents home?
2006-07-31 14:02:19 · answer #4 · answered by rltouhe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There were images prescripbed for the Ark of the Covenant and the Temple of angels and plants
What you want ot avoid is images from the imaginations of men used in worship, particularly in a way not prescribed by God
mono lisa... doesnt apply
david... doesnt apply
Sistine chappel... well perhaps somes closest to the issue and I think people in good concience might go either way on that one
I general favor simplicty in worship
2006-07-31 14:02:03 · answer #5 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...Huh.
But it's the old testament... I personally don't follow rules of the old testament.
Actually, I only follow the laws of the land XD
But... we are also told to follow the law of the land, which protects people's art.
~*~*~EDIT~*~*~
YOU read the new testament! Jesus says that all laws were erased by him dying on the cross except Have no Idols and Love your Neighbor...
2006-07-31 14:01:11 · answer #6 · answered by onlyevier 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a graven image would be something you "WORSHIP" above god. I do not worship those things, so they are not graven images to me. Why destroy them. I worship God the father, and Jesus his only son. All other things in this world are for the enhancement of beauty, not for worship. No, I think we should leave them alone.
2006-07-31 14:03:16 · answer #7 · answered by Joseph L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's not talking about making art- He's talking about making images of earthly things to worship. Remember, you can make the bible support just about any agenda you have if you pick the right sentence. One quote is not the whole book.
2006-07-31 14:05:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What? That's retarded!
Scripture is man-made.You or I could write scripture today.we'ed go to the nut house with the other roly hollers,but hey!
Cut up Thomas Kinkade's schlock.
2006-07-31 14:01:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So why cut up the mona lisa? that has nothing to do with your biblical quote.
2006-07-31 14:02:32 · answer #10 · answered by lupering 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋