What Does the Bible Say About Pictures and Statues?
The Bible addresses the use of images and statues in worship and in daily life, and its pronouncements have been a source of discussion and interpretation for centuries. For the average American reader seeking to understand these biblical perspectives, it's important to examine the relevant passages and understand the context in which they were given.
The Ten Commandments: A Foundation for Understanding
Perhaps the most foundational passages concerning images and statues are found in the Ten Commandments, specifically the second commandment. As recorded in Exodus 20:4-6:
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
This commandment is reiterated in Deuteronomy 5:8-10. The emphasis here is on prohibiting the creation of "graven images" or likenesses for the purpose of worship. The intent is to prevent the Israelites from worshipping created things rather than the Creator. This was particularly relevant in the ancient Near East, where idolatry – the worship of physical objects representing deities – was rampant.
Prohibitions Against Idolatry
Beyond the Ten Commandments, numerous other passages in the Old Testament strongly condemn the making and worship of idols. These passages often describe the futility and foolishness of worshipping inanimate objects.
- Isaiah 44:9-20 provides a lengthy and scathing critique of idol makers and those who worship them, detailing the process of creating an idol from a tree and then revering it as if it were divine. The prophet highlights the inherent contradiction: the same wood used for fuel or cooking is also fashioned into a god.
- Jeremiah 10:1-16 offers a similar condemnation, contrasting the living God with the lifeless idols made by human hands, which cannot speak, hear, or do good or evil.
- Psalm 115:1-8 describes the helplessness of idols, asserting that they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, noses but cannot smell, hands but cannot feel, feet but cannot walk, and they make no sound in their throats. Those who make and trust in them become like them.
These passages consistently associate the creation and worship of images with pagan practices and a turning away from the true God.
Images for Decoration vs. Worship
It's important to note that the Bible's prohibitions are primarily directed against the *worship* of images and statues. There are instances within the Old Testament where decorative or symbolic imagery was used, not for worship, but as part of the construction or adornment of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
For example, in Exodus 25:18-22, God instructs Moses to make two cherubim of hammered gold for the mercy seat. These were placed above the Ark of the Covenant, but they were not to be worshipped. Their presence was symbolic, related to God's presence and protection.
Similarly, 1 Kings 6:23-35 describes the cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers that adorned the walls and doors of Solomon's Temple. These were decorative elements, not objects of worship.
The distinction lies in the *purpose* for which the image is made and its intended use. The commandment is against making an image "to bow down to them or worship them."
The New Testament Perspective
The New Testament doesn't contain explicit new prohibitions against images or statues. However, the underlying principle of worshipping God alone and avoiding idolatry remains central.
In 1 John 5:21, the Apostle John writes, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." This echoes the Old Testament's emphasis on devotion to God alone.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:22-23, criticizes those who "exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator." This speaks to the human tendency to turn to created things, including images, as a substitute for true worship.
Some Christian traditions interpret passages like Acts 17:29, where Paul speaks to the Athenians about God not being like gold or silver or stone "fashioned by human skill and imagination," as further supporting the idea that divine worship should not be directed towards crafted objects.
Interpreting the Biblical Mandates Today
The interpretation of these biblical passages varies significantly among different Christian denominations today.
- Some traditions, often referred to as "iconoclastic" or non-liturgical, adhere strictly to the prohibitions against any form of religious imagery in worship, viewing even decorative religious art as a slippery slope towards idolatry.
- Other traditions, particularly those with liturgical practices like the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, utilize icons and statues as aids to worship. They believe these images can serve as visual reminders of biblical events and figures, inspiring devotion and prayer, and are not worshipped in themselves, but rather point to the divine.
The key distinction often made is between worshipping the image itself and using the image as a tool to focus worship on God. The Bible's strong stance against idolatry, however, provides a crucial framework for understanding the concerns surrounding the use of pictures and statues in religious contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the early Christians view pictures and statues?
While the early centuries of Christianity saw diverse practices, the New Testament itself does not explicitly forbid all images. Early Christians sometimes used symbolic imagery, such as the fish or the anchor, for identification and encouragement. However, as Christianity became more established, the use of artistic representations, including icons and statues, began to develop, leading to debates that continue to this day.
Why is the prohibition against "graven images" so prominent in the Old Testament?
The prohibition against "graven images" was central to the Old Testament covenant between God and Israel. It was a way to set them apart from the surrounding pagan nations who worshipped a multitude of gods represented by idols. This commandment aimed to ensure that Israel's worship was exclusively directed towards the one true God, preventing them from falling into the spiritual and moral corruption associated with idolatry.
Are all pictures and statues forbidden by the Bible?
The Bible's primary concern is the prohibition of making images "to bow down to them or worship them." Passages that show the use of imagery, like in the Temple, were for decorative or symbolic purposes, not for direct worship. Therefore, the strict interpretation is against images used in idolatrous worship, while the use of images for art, education, or historical representation is generally not seen as forbidden by the Bible.
