The Lord's View on Carved Images in Worship
The biblical prohibition on carved images in worship is rooted in the second commandment of the Decalogue, which states, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (Exodus 20:4) [10]. This commandment was given to the Israelites to distinguish their worship from that of surrounding nations, who used images to represent their deities.
The Lord's view on carved images is further elaborated in the Psalms, where it is written that "The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven" (Psalms 11:4, Geneva1599) [2]. This emphasizes the distinction between God's heavenly dwelling and earthly representations. The Psalmist also notes that "The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3, Geneva1599) [3], indicating God's omnipresence and ability to witness human actions, rendering earthly images unnecessary.
The practice of carving and engraving was well-known in ancient Israel, used in the construction of the tabernacle and the temple, as well as in the ornamentation of priestly dresses [1, 4]. However, the biblical text distinguishes between decorative carvings and images intended for worship. Isaiah critiques the process of carving idols, describing how a craftsman might use part of a piece of wood for a practical purpose and another part to create an idol (Isaiah 44:13-17) [4].
Early Christian interpreters, such as Athanasius of Alexandria, condemned the worship of images, arguing that it dishonors the art of carving and reduces God to a material representation [5]. Athanasius notes that idolaters "do not see that, while they tread under foot and burn what is in no way different, they call portions of these materials gods" [5].
Reformed theologians like John Calvin also rejected the use of images in worship, arguing that they distract from the true nature of God and can lead to idolatry [6, 8]. Calvin contends that the use of images in worship is a form of "gross and carnal worship," where the material representation becomes the focus of devotion rather than God himself [6].
The Reformed tradition interprets the biblical prohibition on images as a call to worship God in spirit and truth, without material representations [7]. According to John Gill, the Lord's presence in his holy temple signifies his dwelling in heaven and his surveying of human actions, making earthly images unnecessary for worship [7].
The historical development of the doctrine against image worship is evident in the early Christian church's rejection of idolatry and the subsequent debates during the Reformation. The Second Commandment remains a cornerstone of Reformed theology, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God without material representations.
The biblical text and early Christian interpreters underscore the importance of maintaining a distinction between God and material representations. As Calvin notes, the Israelites were warned against adopting the practices of surrounding nations, which included the use of images in worship [9]. The Lord's view on carved images in worship remains a significant aspect of Christian theology, highlighting the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth.
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)”
- Psalms “Psalms 11:4 (Geneva1599) — The Lord is in his holy palace: the Lordes throne is in the heauen: his eyes wil consider: his eye lids will try the children of men.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 15:3 (Geneva1599) — The eyes of the Lord in euery place beholde the euill and the good.”
- 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.”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 58: §13. The folly of image worship and its dishonour to art. Again, in worshipping things of wood and stone, they do not see that, while they tread under foot and burn what is in no way different, they call portions of these materials gods. And what they made use of a little while ago, they carve and worship in their folly, not seeing, nor at all considering that they are worshipping, not gods, but the carver’s art. 2. For so long as the stone is uncut and the wood unworked, they walk upon the one and make frequent use of the other f”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 27: God was visibly depicted to their eyes. 9. After such a figment is formed, adoration forthwith ensues: for when once men imagined that they beheld God in images, they also worshipped him as being there. At length their eyes and minds becoming wholly engrossed by them, they began to grow more and 98 more brutish, gazing and wondering as if some divinity were actually before them. It hence appears that men do not fall away to the worship of images until they have imbibed some idea of a grosser description: not that they actually beli”
- Habakkuk (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Habakkuk 2:19: But the Lord is in his holy temple,.... Not in graven and molten images; not in idols of wood and stone, covered with gold and silver; but in heaven, the habitation of his holiness, the place of his residence, where he is seen and worshipped by the holy angels and glorified saints; and from whence he surveys all the children of men, and their actions; observes the folly and stupidity of idol worshippers; and hears and answers the prayers of his own people: or this intends his church, which is his temple, sanctified by him, and set apart for his service, worship, and”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 27: that the Sun was worshipped by the Persian. As many stars as the foolish nations saw in the sky, so many gods they imagined them to be. Then to the Egyptians, every animal was a figure of God. 78 78 80 The French adds, “voire jusques aux oignons et porreaux;”—they have gone even to onions and leeks. The Greeks, again, plumed themselves on their superior wisdom in worshipping God under the human form (Maximum Tyrius Platonic. Serm. 38). But God makes no comparison between images, as if one were more, and another less befitting; he r”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: her husband’s heart more deeply when her adultery is committed openly before his eyes. Therefore, God having by his present power and grace declared that he had respect to the people whom he had chosen, now, in order to deter them from the wickedness of revolt, warns them that they cannot adopt strange gods without his being witness and spectator of the sacrilege. To the audacity of so doing is added the very great impiety of supposing that they can mock the eye of God with their evasions. Far from this the Lord proclaims that ever”
- Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 20:4: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,.... An image of anything graven by art or man's device, cut out of wood of stone, and so anything that was molten, or cast into a mould or form, engraved by men, and this in order to be worshipped; for otherwise images of things might be made for other uses and purposes, as the cherubim over the mercy seat, and the brazen serpent, and images and impressions on coin, which we do not find the Jews themselves scrupled to make use of in Christ's time on that account; though they vehemently opposed the setting up any images o”