I see a lot of posts concerning images and such. My understanding is that a "graven image" is an image or idol that is worshipped. Without the worship part, isn't it just an image...and "okay"? If you think just an image is "wrong", is that scriptural based? and where, please! :-) Thanks.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-09-28 10:42:13 · 15 answers · asked by Greenwood 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those telling me to look up "graven"...you should look up "graven image". The meaning is different when the words are put together. Go to wikipedia. It says there that a graven image is an image that is worshipped.
2007-09-28 10:49:58 · update #1
First, the word "Graven" actually means to be carved, or otherwise hand-made.
Second, there is no biblical ban on "Graven Images." The commandment is not to WORSHIP Graven Images.
2007-09-28 10:47:28 · answer #1 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you are right. An image to be thought of in this context needs to be something you make and the bow down to. This is why the Catholic bowing to the Jesus on the Cross is so offensive to other Christians. But in light of graven images it is the belief that an object has power to do something for you spiritually. This was the pagan concept that Paul and the early church was so against. Read the Book of Acts. The church later let the craftsman start to make metals for Mary and the saints to keep busy. Now the concept transfered over to the Church and therefore it is pagan. Read Deut. 28 in the Old Testament etc. Look up the word idol. Pagan religions still worship not just the idols but believe that a spirit is in the object. Paul in the bible says they are really worshiping demons. This then must be the same thing if paganism is in the Catholic Church?
2007-09-28 12:09:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you make a graven image of Mary, and then you pray to
Mary, you worship an idol and you've" worshipped & served
the creature more than the Creator"; Romans 1:25.
Romans 1:23, "And changed the glory of the uncorruptible
God into an image MADE LIKE TO CORRUPTIBLE MAN".
This says we are NOT TO MAKE AN IMAGE OF GOD,
because any image is corruptible and He is NOT!!
These images get dirty and decay with time & God says
not to make such an image of Him. Romans 1:24, says
because of such behavior, "God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, TO
DISHONOUR THEIR OWN BODIES BETWEEN
THEMSELVES". All you've got to do is watch the news
to see this has happened.
2007-09-28 12:21:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Graven" just means "engraved". Some graven images are worshipped and some arent. You see that the commandment says "you shall not worship any graven image". All that means is, don't worship idols.
2007-09-28 10:57:21 · answer #4 · answered by Agellius CM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd agree with you, and many look at the meaning of that phrase opposed to the literal i.e. anything that is worshipped instead of god. This would mean if you place a higher meaning on money, sports or anything else than you do on god.
But to say that a carved statue is bad (graven) but a painting isn't as it's not carved, is rather silly.
2007-09-28 10:53:48 · answer #5 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hebrew "pehsel" literally means "idol", but its root is from the verb "to carve". Thus, "graven image" was used as one possible translation to English.
2007-09-28 10:53:55 · answer #6 · answered by Hoosier Daddy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that "graven" means carved or sculpted such as a piece of wood or stone that has Been engraved with some image of a four footed beast or fowl or creeping thing
2007-09-28 10:49:12 · answer #7 · answered by Bride of Christ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
grav·en /ˈgreɪvən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[grey-vuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb 1. a pp. of grave3.
–adjective 2. deeply impressed; firmly fixed.
3. carved; sculptured: a graven idol.
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[Origin: 1200–50; ME. See grave3, -en3]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
notice graven simply means carved... but the Bible obviously meant worshiped as well because God had carved cherubs on either side of the ark of the covenant in the temple and tabernacle
2007-09-28 10:54:01 · answer #8 · answered by Matthew P (SL) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acts 17:
28: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29: Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, GRAVEN BY ART AND MAN'S DEVICE.
2007-09-28 13:07:21 · answer #9 · answered by Innerman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Graven means carved, in other words, no statues.
Although I myself see nothing wrong with those little bobble head JKesus ones.
2007-09-28 10:46:31 · answer #10 · answered by Y!A-FOOL 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋