Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of Pictures

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Idolatry, in the biblical context, refers to the worship or veneration of created objects or images as deities, which is strictly prohibited in Scripture. The Bible consistently warns against the creation and worship of idols, emphasizing the exclusive worship of the one true God. The use of pictures or images as objects of worship falls under this prohibition.

Biblical Prohibition of Idolatry

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, explicitly forbid the making and worshiping of idols. Exodus 20:4-5 states, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God." This commandment underscores the prohibition against creating any physical representation for the purpose of worship.

Pictures and Images as Idols

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against adopting the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, which often included the use of images and pictures in worship. Deuteronomy 4:15-19 cautions, "So you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore, watch yourselves carefully, so that you do not act corruptly and make for yourselves an idol in the form of any figure, whether in the likeness of a man or woman, of any beast on the earth or bird that flies in the air, or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish in the waters below."

The Israelites' tendency to fall into idolatry is exemplified in the incident of the golden calf (Exodus 32), where they fashioned an image to worship in Moses' absence. This event highlights the danger of substituting the invisible God with visible representations, which can lead to false worship.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues to affirm the prohibition against idolatry. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently warns early Christians against idolatrous practices. In Romans 1:22-23 , Paul describes the folly of idolatry: "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."

Paul further admonishes believers in 1 Corinthians 10:14 , "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." This exhortation reflects the ongoing relevance of avoiding any form of idol worship, including the veneration of images or pictures.

Theological Implications

The use of pictures or images as objects of worship is seen as a distortion of true worship, which should be directed solely to God. The Bible emphasizes that God is spirit (John 4:24), and true worshipers must worship Him in spirit and truth. The creation of images for worship purposes can lead to a misunderstanding of God's nature and a misplacement of devotion.

Historical Context and Church Tradition

Throughout church history, the issue of images in worship has been a point of contention. The early church fathers, such as Tertullian and Augustine, spoke against the use of images in worship, aligning with the biblical mandate. The iconoclastic controversies of the 8th and 9th centuries further illustrate the church's struggle with the role of images in worship.

In summary, the biblical teaching on idolatry, including the use of pictures and images as objects of worship, is clear and consistent. The Scriptures call for the exclusive worship of God, free from the influence of created representations, which can lead to idolatry and a departure from true faith.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 33:52
Then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
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Isaiah 2:16
And on all the ships of Tarshish, and on all pleasant pictures.
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Library

Second Commandment
... to forbid the use of drawings and pictures of created ... feel if Americans made such
hideous objects to resemble him ... to the senses is the origin of all idolatry. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/second commandment.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... "We must not," said they, "have pictures in the ... looked with suspicion upon all who
assisted in the fabrication of these objects of the heathen idolatry. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

Excursus on the Conciliabulum Styling Itself the Seventh ...
... performed by the re-emerging relics and pictures. ... robbed of their habitual and cherished
objects of devotion ... Iconoclasm might proscribe idolatry; but it had no ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the conciliabulum styling.htm

On Riches
... have not a taste for grand objects; but they ... the temptations to this kind of idolatry,
which naturally ... in elegant furniture, in curious pictures, in delightful ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 108 on riches.htm

Stiff-Necked Idolaters and Pliable Christians
... the tremendous contrast between the two Objects of worship ... accounts for the strange
fascination of idolatry over the ... tepid sort, and that the pictures they draw ...
/.../stiff-necked idolaters and pliable christians.htm

The First Commandment --On the Honor and Invocation of Saints
... and may be led by these visible objects to a ... priests, watch its ceremonies, and study
its pictures, by all of ... as I told you, they fell into idolatry and really ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 31 the first commandmenton.htm

A Jealous God
... when, in all her sanctuaries, there are pictures and images ... but when we carry love
to idolatry, and put the ... persons who continue to live for objects other than ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... that whatever statues are set up or pictures painted to ... bodies, giving the name of
deities to objects, which, if ... how prone our nature is to idolatry, that we ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

Original Sin
... different is this from the fair pictures of human ... Satan behind; we run into an idolatry
whereof he is ... from great, or beautiful, or uncommon objects; " if the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 44 original sin.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... himself with women, and they enticed him to idolatry. ... would not be tempted with vain
objects; the Scripture ... heed of lascivious books, and pictures that provoke ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm