Drawing Pictures of People in Worship Services
The practice of drawing pictures of people in worship services has been a subject of debate among Christian traditions. The biblical prohibition against idolatry and the making of graven images is a key text in this discussion [3]. The second commandment forbids the worship of the true God by images, and this has been interpreted by some as a prohibition against using images in worship altogether [6].
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were forbidden from making idols or graven images, and this prohibition was closely tied to the worship of false gods [3]. However, the biblical text also describes the use of artistic representations in worship, such as the cherubim on the ark of the covenant. The arts of carving and engraving were used in the construction of both the tabernacle and the temple [1, 4].
The early Christian church was cautious in its use of images in worship, with some writers viewing them as a potential source of idolatry [5]. The patristic writer Clement of Alexandria, for example, associated images with demonic activity [5]. In contrast, some later Christian traditions have incorporated images and artwork into their worship practices.
The Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin, has been critical of the use of images in worship, viewing them as a potential source of idolatry and a distraction from the true worship of God [7, 8]. Calvin argued that images are not necessary for worship and that they can lead to a form of worship that is "false and wicked" [7]. The Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican tradition also reject the "Romish Doctrine concerning... Worshipping, and Adoration, as well of Images" as being "repugnant to the Word of God" [9].
In contrast, the Catholic tradition has historically been more accepting of the use of images in worship, viewing them as a means of venerating the saints and promoting devotion [10]. Thomas Aquinas argued that images can be used to promote the worship of God, as long as they are not worshipped in themselves [10].
The debate over the use of images in worship continues to be a point of difference among Christian traditions. While some view images as a valuable aid to devotion, others see them as a potential source of idolatry and a distraction from the true worship of God. The biblical text remains a key reference point in this discussion, with different traditions interpreting its teachings in different ways [1, 2, 3].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Carving — The arts of carving and engraving were much in request in the construction of both the tabernacle and the temple. (Exodus 31:5; 35:33; 1 Kings 6:18,35; Psalms 74:6) as well as in the ornamentation of the priestly dresses. (Exodus 28:9-36; 2 Chronicles 2:7,14; Zechariah 3:9)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Picture — In two of the three passages in which "picture" is used in the Authorized Version it denotes idolatrous representations, either independent images or more usually stones "portrayed," i.e. sculptured in low relief, or engraved and colored. (Ezekiel 23:14) Layard, Nin. and Rob. ii. 306, 308. Moveable pictures, in the modern sense, were doubtless unknown to the Jews. The "pictures of silver" of (Proverbs 25:11) were probably well surfaces or cornices with carvings.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Idolatry — Forbidden -- Ex 20:2,3; De 5:7. Consists in Bowing down to images. -- Ex 20:5; De 5:9. Worshipping images. -- Isa 44:17; Da 3:5,10,15. Sacrificing to images. -- Ps 106:38; Ac 7:41. Worshipping other gods. -- De 30:17; Ps 81:9. Swearing by other gods. -- Ex 23:13; Jos 23:7. Walking after other gods. -- De 8:19. Speaking in the name of other gods. -- De 18:20. Looking to other gods. -- Ho 3:1. Serving other gods. -- De 7:4; Jer 5:19. Fearing other gods. -- 2Ki 17:35. Sacrificing to other gods. -- Ex 22:20. Worshipping the true God by an image, & c. -- Ex 32:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Carve — The arts of engraving and carving were much practised among the Jews. They were practised in connection with the construction of the tabernacle and the temple (Ex. 31:2, 5; 35:33; 1 Kings 6:18, 35; Ps. 74:6), as well as in the ornamentation of the priestly dresses (Ex. 28:9-36; Zech. 3:9; 2 Chr. 2:7, 14). Isaiah (44:13-17) gives a minute description of the process of carving idols of wood.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. XXVI.--THE DEMONS ALLURE MEN TO THE WORSHIP OF IMAGES, (part 1): They who draw men to idols, then, are the aforesaid demons, who are eager for the blood of the sacrifices, and lick them; but the gods that please the multitude, and whose names are given to the images, were men, as may be learned from their history. And that it is the demons who act under their names, is proved by the nature of their operations. For some castrate, as Rhea; others wound and slaughter, as Artemis; the Tauric goddess puts all strange”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 44: simply to show the relative position of places on the face of the earth, they were allowed but if they had any shading on them to represent mountains, they were forbidden by the second commandment. The Worship of Images forbidden. It is equally clear that the second commandment does forbid the use of images in divine worship. In other words, idolatry consists not only in the worship of false gods, but also in the worship of the true God by images. This is clear, — 1. From the literal meaning of the words. The precise thing forbidden is, b”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 27: contrast images with the true God, as if the two were of an opposite nature, and never could be made to agree. In the passages which I lately quoted, the conclusion drawn is, that seeing there is one true God whom the Jews worshipped, visible shapes made for the purpose of representing him are false and wicked fictions; and all, therefore, who have recourse to them for knowledge are miserably deceived. In short, were it not true that all such knowledge is fallacious and spurious, the prophets would not condemn it in such general te”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 27: Joseph, and the inscription which Jacob set up. In this last case they not only pervert the meaning of Scripture, but quote what is nowhere to be found. Then the passages, 103 “Worship at his footstool”—“Worship in his holy mountain”—“The rulers of the people will worship before thy face,” seem to them very solid and apposite proofs. Were one, with the view of turning the defenders of images into ridicule, to put words into their mouths, could they be made to utter greater and grosser absurdities? But to put an end to all doubt on ”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 254: The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping, and Adoration, as well of Images as of Reliques, and also invocation of Saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of the Causes of the Ceremonial Precepts, Art. 6: Article: Whether there was any reasonable cause for the ceremonial observances? I answer that, The Jewish people, as stated above (Article [5]), were specially chosen for the worship of God, and among them the priests themselves were specially set apart for that purpose. And just as other things that are applied to the divine worship, need to be marked in some particular way so that they be worthy of the worship of God; so too in that people's, and especially the priests”