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is it OK to have Jesus shown on TV or Movies?
- Thread starter Yeshua1
- Start date
Got any pictures of Jesus hanging on your wall in your church or home?... How about in your church bulletin?... Doesn't have to be TV or Hollywood... You buy a Bible and I know no one has control over that but there again, pictures of the artist rendition of Jesus... I could go on and on but you get the picture... Brother Glen
I have seen Jesus of Nazareth many times though, and Jesus as the actor portrayed him was done quite well!Got any pictures of Jesus hanging on your wall in your church or home?... How about in your church bulletin?... Doesn't have to be TV or Hollywood... You buy a Bible and I know no one has control over that but there again, pictures of the artist rendition of Jesus... I could go on and on but you get the picture... Brother Glen
ULL CAST AND CREW | TRIVIA | USER REVIEWS | IMDbPro | MORE
7.1/10
205,074
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
R | 2h 7min | Drama | 25 February 2004 (USA)
1:08 | Trailer
3 VIDEOS | 140 IMAGES
Depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
Director:
Mel Gibson
Writers:
Benedict Fitzgerald (screenplay), Mel Gibson (screenplay)
Stars:
Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern | See full cast & crew »
Despite certain views (mostly Reformed confessional) that attempting to picture Jesus in art, plays, or movies is a violation of the second commandment (which then nullifies most of the great art of centuries as well as the early and modern passion plays; e.g. BJU and its art museum) — on the other hand such items and events have done much to draw people to a saving faith in Christ.
The Jesus Film in particular is a key example, and for most people I suspect the second commandment is interpreted to prohibit representation of the Father or Holy Spirit as being spirit and therefore not permissible to have graven image likenesses.
The Jesus Film in particular is a key example, and for most people I suspect the second commandment is interpreted to prohibit representation of the Father or Holy Spirit as being spirit and therefore not permissible to have graven image likenesses.
Last edited:
Benyamin
New Member
The Second Commandment:
The creation of a graven image itself is not the sin. Otherwise, it would be a sin to create any form of decorative statue, or to draw pictures of anything at all.
There are plenty of cases of Hebrews building graven images of things in heaven above, and the earth beneath, and it was not a sin, because they were not objects of worship. Some of these cases were commanded by God Himself. No one can deny that God commanded the creation of the Cherubim (likeness of things in heaven) and also the Bronze Serpent (things on the earth). It was not until the people began to worship the Bronze Serpent much later, that it had to be destroyed. And there are plenty of cases when the Hebrews built graven images and worshiped them, which God judged.
Below are seals, from the time of Isaiah the Prophet. It "depicts" YHWH as a crowned disc, and also the the Seraphim surrounding the throne. This were common Hebrew-Judean art. It was not seen as a violation of the second commandment, because they were not objects of worship.
YHWH was portrayed as a non-descript crowned disc perhaps out of respect, in the same way the Holy Name would never be uttered out loud. The likeness of the Holy One cannot be known by mortal man. It's too terrible. Why could Moses only see the hinder part of God? Why were the people afraid to approach Him? The Bible is true, "No man has seen God at anytime". Any "depictions" of the Holy Presence are, like this disc, ambiguous and non-descript, in a similar way "Hashem", "Lord", "Herr" etc are used to refer to the Holy Name.
Basically, God in His fullness, is too holy for us to grasp. There's a reason mortal eyes have not seen His unfiltered presence, and why His Holy Name has not been uttered in it's original pronunciation (to the point where we don't even know what the pronunciation is!). We cannot depict Him, because He is un-depictable.
BUT, we can't forget the clause to this verse, "No man has seen God..[but] the only begotten Son...hath declared him". We are told in other places, Jesus is the "express image of God". He is the divine Logos, the "Word" of God, made flesh, and made "able to be handled" by men.
I don't believe that pictures of Christ are a sin. AS LONG as they are not worshiped. In which case, it's regardless what the image portrays. It matters whether the image is being worshiped or not. While the divine presence itself is unable to be depicted, because no man has ever seen Him. But He has been declared/manifested unto man, via the Word. Since the Word was made flesh, dwelt among us, and has been handled by us, he is able to be depicted (in the sense he is made a man). To depict Jesus Christ is in my opinion no different than to depict any man. Yes, He is God. But He was made a man. The people didn't have to quake and tremble before His presence, because He was clothed in flesh just like yours and mine. Is it a sin to depict a physical man?
To depict Christ in movies or TV is no different than to draw a picture of Him. And, in my opinion, no different than saying the name Jesus out loud.
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:"
It's a sin to create graven images (Regardless of whether they represent God, or not) and to worship them.
The creation of a graven image itself is not the sin. Otherwise, it would be a sin to create any form of decorative statue, or to draw pictures of anything at all.
There are plenty of cases of Hebrews building graven images of things in heaven above, and the earth beneath, and it was not a sin, because they were not objects of worship. Some of these cases were commanded by God Himself. No one can deny that God commanded the creation of the Cherubim (likeness of things in heaven) and also the Bronze Serpent (things on the earth). It was not until the people began to worship the Bronze Serpent much later, that it had to be destroyed. And there are plenty of cases when the Hebrews built graven images and worshiped them, which God judged.
Below are seals, from the time of Isaiah the Prophet. It "depicts" YHWH as a crowned disc, and also the the Seraphim surrounding the throne. This were common Hebrew-Judean art. It was not seen as a violation of the second commandment, because they were not objects of worship.
YHWH was portrayed as a non-descript crowned disc perhaps out of respect, in the same way the Holy Name would never be uttered out loud. The likeness of the Holy One cannot be known by mortal man. It's too terrible. Why could Moses only see the hinder part of God? Why were the people afraid to approach Him? The Bible is true, "No man has seen God at anytime". Any "depictions" of the Holy Presence are, like this disc, ambiguous and non-descript, in a similar way "Hashem", "Lord", "Herr" etc are used to refer to the Holy Name.
Basically, God in His fullness, is too holy for us to grasp. There's a reason mortal eyes have not seen His unfiltered presence, and why His Holy Name has not been uttered in it's original pronunciation (to the point where we don't even know what the pronunciation is!). We cannot depict Him, because He is un-depictable.
BUT, we can't forget the clause to this verse, "No man has seen God..[but] the only begotten Son...hath declared him". We are told in other places, Jesus is the "express image of God". He is the divine Logos, the "Word" of God, made flesh, and made "able to be handled" by men.
I don't believe that pictures of Christ are a sin. AS LONG as they are not worshiped. In which case, it's regardless what the image portrays. It matters whether the image is being worshiped or not. While the divine presence itself is unable to be depicted, because no man has ever seen Him. But He has been declared/manifested unto man, via the Word. Since the Word was made flesh, dwelt among us, and has been handled by us, he is able to be depicted (in the sense he is made a man). To depict Jesus Christ is in my opinion no different than to depict any man. Yes, He is God. But He was made a man. The people didn't have to quake and tremble before His presence, because He was clothed in flesh just like yours and mine. Is it a sin to depict a physical man?
To depict Christ in movies or TV is no different than to draw a picture of Him. And, in my opinion, no different than saying the name Jesus out loud.
My mistake. I did not take the post literally, as I should have. Thanks for your challenge!
I would see the Commandment as prohibiting say the use of Icon images, but not having Jesus portrayed by an actor as long as respectful and to the scriptures!
I see this as example of when a well intended Christian would take what Confessions state to be equal and on par with the scriptures themselves....
I have no problem with icons, whether of Jesus or other supposed saints and martyrs, so long as they are taken only as works of art. When people begin reverencing and praying to an icon on the hope that somehow such would
be effective for granting requests (whether directed to an image of Jesus, Mary, or other saints), then we are talking idolatry.
Noah Hirsch
Active Member
It is not. It is a violation of the Second Commandment and a form of idolatry. (Exodus 20:4-6, 32:1-35, Deuteronomy 4:12-18, Isaiah 40:18, Acts 17:23-29, Romans 1:20-23, 25)
Noah Hirsch
Active Member
If Jesus hates it as idolatry it doesn’t matter how much we liked or enjoyed the film.
Yes indeed, as think that is the expressed purpose for many who hold to Icons!
it rises to the level of idolatry if one either thinks that is the real Jesus, or else is praying to and worshipping the actor then?
God the Father and the Holy Spirit have no physical forms, being Spirit, but Jesus had a physical form....
