Nativity Scenes

I did have this problem. Then a Catholic, who I am grateful to, opened my eyes to things I had never seen before. I'm not interested in enjoying paintings so much as I am interested in discerning the intentions or the spirit of the artist.

 

No sir.

I'm saying this...

"And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." - 1 Corinthians 11:24-25​

...is unrelated to this...

"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." - Acts 17:29​

Gold, silver and stone are not banned but according to Acts 17:29, we ought not think that we should use these materials (or plastic, rubber or whatever else) to represent the Godhead in art.

Bread is not art and bread does not represent the Godhead through art. However, if one bakes bread and believes that an image of Jesus Christ has risen out of that bread, then that is liley contrary to scripture. Further, if one intentionally uses bread as art, as in this example http://www.jesuspan.com/ then this too is likely problematic.

 

Certanly a beautiful song like that one you mention stirs emotions. So maybe your emotions are clouding your objectivity. Therefore you would not be able to identify the theology in it as good or bad.

 

Here is the problem

This scripture

Does not support this interpritation

The scripture says we shoud not THINK the materials are like our God. It never says do not use the materials and it never says do not use them to REPRESENT God in art. You twist the interpritation to make it fit.

I agree with the scripture I dont think anything man can make is like our God. I will not worship a statue. I will however enjoy works of art and use that form of communication to ponder on the real God.

Like I posted before Moses used a bronse serpent that was made by mens hand. This serpent (at least indirectly) reprisented Christ.

 

We proudly display this on our front lawn each year.

 

This past weekend a local church did a live nativity scene, really they did much more, it was a drive through scene it started with them giving you a CD to play as you drive through the drive way, starting with the birth of Jesus,moving on to him teaching at12 in the temple, to healing the blind ,and raising Lazaras, to pilate, to the cross.it was very good and very well done.

 

My grandmother used to paint ceramics as a business. One year for Christmas, she gave us a ceramic nativity scene. It was complete, including the wisemen. I hated the fact that the wisemen were included... so when we moved to a new house I got a great idea. We set up the nativity on the mantle, and the wisemen on the other side of the room. People asked us why they were so far away. Our response would be: they're on their way!