Nativity Scenes and the Second Commandment

[Amy.G]

I'd suggest that there are more likely things like Bible translations held up as idols than a blow up nativity scene in someone's front yard.

Yes. I meant to put that in my post.

We humans do have a problem with fixating on the creation instead of the Creator.

As far as what Jesus looked like, some of the pictures of Him are just donwright creepy. He looked like average Joe Jewish guy for a reason. God doesn't want us to fixate on what His human appearance was, but instead on WHO He was.

But I don't think it is sin to let our minds wonder what He looked like. The worship of an image comes from a messed up heart, that doesn't know the true God.

 

[Dale-c]

For what it is worth, I do believe that translations such as the KJV can become an idol.
We as fallen humans are prone to idolatry.

 

[Amy.G]

For what it is worth, I do believe that translations such as the KJV can become an idol.
We as fallen humans are prone to idolatry.

So true. I hear that some people even idolize the BB!

Not me though. :laugh:

 

[Dale-c]

Dan.E Said the following:

PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE TELLING YOU.

And then he said:

Heck no I didn't read it....what kind of time do you think I have ?

I am paying attention to what people are saying.
They are not KNOWINGLY involving themselves in idolatry.

If you would take your own and advice and read what people are telling you, you would see this.
You don't have to read it if you don't have time. But you don't have to post and get involved with this either.
It only takes a few minutes to read that article.
Less time than you have spent here.


This is an important issue.

 

[dan e.]

Dan.E Said the following:

And then he said:


I am paying attention to what people are saying.
They are not KNOWINGLY involving themselves in idolatry.

If you would take your own and advice and read what people are telling you, you would see this.
You don't have to read it if you don't have time. But you don't have to post and get involved with this either.
It only takes a few minutes to read that article.
Less time than you have spent here.


This is an important issue.

oh Dale, I skimmed your article....okay?! Do you know why I'm not reading it? Because I know what it says. It is nothing new from that perspective that I haven't heard already. Nobody in that article is telling me anything....I'm not in a discussion with the article...so, no, I don't have to read it. You and I, however, are conversing. And I promise I have read everything you have written to me.

 

[dan e.]

They are not KNOWINGLY involving themselves in idolatry.

This is your opinion....which is what people here are disagreeing with. The Bible doesn't say anything about the scenarios we are discussing to be idolatry. You're having to stretch some things, and leave some things out, in order to make your opinion appear valid.

It does seem to be an easy way out to win your argument when someone plainly tells you they are not worshiping their nativity scenes....then your reply is , "oh, but you aren't KNOWINGLY worshiping".

 

[tinytim]

So true. I hear that some people even idolize the BB!

Not me though. :laugh:

Maybe some worship you!!! :laugh:

 

[Amy.G]

Maybe some worship you!!! :laugh:

Ok. I can go with that. :laugh:

Just so you know, I will be falling off my pedestal. :laugh:

 

[Dale-c]

It does seem to be an easy way out to win your argument when someone plainly tells you they are not worshiping their nativity scenes....then your reply is , "oh, but you aren't KNOWINGLY worshiping".

So what would you tell a Catholic then?
Are they KNOWINGLY worshipping a false idol when they have their statues of Mary and the Crucifix etc?

Just because they say they are not involved in idolatry doesn't mean that they aren't.

 

[PastorSBC1303]

They are not KNOWINGLY involving themselves in idolatry.

You, nor the article, has done anything to prove this.

So please stop accusing people of idolatry without any proof.

 

[Dale-c]

You, nor the article, has done anything to prove this.

I believe it has, you do not.
You are of course entitled to your opinion as far as I am concerned.
Of course to God we never have the right to an opinion.

 

[Dale-c]

I am now going to turn the topic around a bit:

What is the NEED for pictures and images of Christ?

 

[Dale-c]

Several people have said that as long as you don't bow down and worship your idol of Christ then it is not really an idol.
Ok, then how can someone then say that someone can idolize their car or house etc?
Have you ever seen someone bow down and chant in from of their car?

I haven't. Does that mean that no one ever idolizes their car?

 

[dan e.]

What is the NEED for pictures and images of Christ?

No need. Of course, we can start creating a huge list of things we don't NEED.

 

[Dale-c]

No need. Of course, we can start creating a huge list of things we don't NEED.

Then what is the point?

Sure there are many things we don't need, I don't NEED hot sauce on my burrito but it wouldn't taste as good without it.

But I would say this is more important than a taste issue.

 

[dan e.]

Several people have said that as long as you don't bow down and worship your idol of Christ then it is not really an idol.
Ok, then how can someone then say that someone can idolize their car or house etc?
Have you ever seen someone bow down and chant in from of their car?

I haven't. Does that mean that no one ever idolizes their car?

You have correctly shown that just because people don't literally get on their hands and knees doesn't mean we still don't idolize things....just like I brought up translations. People who idolize a translation aren't bowing down to a copy of it. Rather, it is how they hold it in their hearts. Does their faith live and die on the nativity being displayed each season? Would someone's faith be destroyed because one of the blow-up wise men popped? That is a good observation that people idolize without literally bowing down.

It still doesn't demonstrate that those with nativity scenes, and pictures of Jesus, are holding these items in their hearts this way.

 

[dan e.]

Then what is the point?

Preferences. There is nothing unbiblical about preferences. Only when those preferences (such as your preference to not display a nativity scene) is enforced as dogma.

 

[PastorSBC1303]

You are of course entitled to your opinion as far as I am concerned.

You are welcome to your opinion as well, just stop accusing people of idolatry based on your opinion.

Making false accusations about God's children does not honor God.

 

[Rubato 1]

C'mon, Dale-c, quit duckin' me. Whose image is that (whom you obviously adore, if not worship) that keeps showing up on your posts?

I don't think Dale-c believes Nativities are idolatry.

 

[Sopranette]

Most of the Catholics I know are not worshiping the actual statue, but the idea behind it. The statue serves as a focal point for their prayers, but they are not saying the plaster or gold it's made from is holy. It's still wrong, but it's not the way most Baptists see it, either.

love,

Sopranette