Why Do Christians Make Graven Images of Jesus?

If no graven image of God is to be made for worship, then why do Christians make images of Jesus?

Why do they do it when God is not worshipped by objects made by human hands (Acts 17:24–25)? Neither is God worshipped by things in nature (cf. Romans 1:21–23).

Perhaps a few reasons:

1. They are failing to READ the word of God.
2. They are failing to HEED the word of God.
3. They are failing to BELIEVE the word of God.

There may be other reasons, but these three, I think get to the core of it.

Whatever the reason may be, it is a fair question. Lord willing, more people would ask this question. The answers are in the Bible. That is why God says, “study to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15) so that we need not be “ashamed.”

The Bible says we are to worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24) That means:

(1) Being born again (spirit) by saving faith in Jesus Christ (who died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose again); and

(2) In accordance with the word of God (truth).

These two points are where many, many people stray (Isaiah 53:6).

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Written by Jerry Smith (based on his original answer to a question on Quora).
Image source: Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash

Can Christians Get Tattoos?

A highly-debated topic among Christians is whether a Christian can get a tattoo or not. But the question should not be can Christians get tattoos, as if they were breaking the law (Leviticus 19:28)—Christians are not under a command forbidding tattoos. 

The Bible tells us that Christ has given us a new and living way (Hebrews 10:20); meaning, we are not under Old Testament civil or ceremonial laws. We are under grace (Romans 6:14). So, there is no black and white answer here because it falls under the liberty we have in Christ. 

So the question is no longer can, but should a Christian get a tattoo. Maybe better, why would a Christian get a tattoo? What is the message it sends to the world—the people we are supposed to be witnessing to? How does a tattoo promote the image of Christ to the world? 

Romans 14 

Romans 14 is a passage that many Christians will point to in a discussion of this nature. It's certainly a place to visit when Christians judge each other. 

But this isn't a discussion about judgement. This is a discussion about whether believers should get tattoos—a discussion about what we can learn about this subject from the Bible. 

Tattoos have traditionally been seen in a negative light. Only in modern times—when God has been progressively eliminated from the public—have tattoos become somewhat fashionable as body art and expression. 

Since there is no command against Christians getting tattoos, in light of Romans 14, it is between the individual believer and the Lord. 

What Can We Glean from the Bible About This Subject? 

Although some may argue that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)—and as such, we are to glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20)—the emphasis of this text is on avoiding fornication. It is not something that relates to tattoos, so it can be put off to the side. 

Nevertheless, the Bible calls Christians peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9). Back then, the word meant a purchased people—people who were bought by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). 

God's peculiar people are related to Holy God who commands: (1) be ye holy (1 Peter 1:5) in all manner of lifestyle (Titus 2:12), and (2) come out from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17). The idea is that Christians are a called out group of people separate from the world. 

We are also commanded to teach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20) and be witnesses to others of Christ's saving power (Acts 1:8). And though all things may be lawful for us (1 Corinthians 6:12)—such as getting tattoos—Paul writes they are not always profitable. 

God's purpose for all of us is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). While this does not mean physical image, it does express the idea of conformity to the attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5). 

So, we can agree that believers are meant to be more like Christ; to be peculiar people, not like the world. 

Christians getting tattoos does tend to normalize the behavior. Attitudes toward tattoos have changed because perhaps we as pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11) are trying to be like the world (e.g. sports stars, actors, wrestlers, other cool people); thus, justifying our desires for tattoos. But, what message does the tattoo send? 

Christians Can Ask Themselves a Few Questions Before Getting Tattooed

1. Do tattoos give the appearance of sameness to the unsaved; showing less of a difference between unsaved and saved? 

2. Does having a tattoo bring us more into the image of Christ to the lost, or does it bring us more into the image of the world to the lost? 

3. Does having a tattoo add more to an image of holiness, or does it give more of an image of unholiness to the world? 

4. Do tattoos make us look more like today's world or does an absence of tattoos give us a more peculiar appearance? 

5. Does having a tattoo promote modesty? 

6. Is having a tattoo conforming a Christian more to the world system and worldly trends or more to a Christ-like appearance and testimony? 

7. Is getting a tattoo an attempt to be fashionable as the world sees it, or is it an attempt to please God? 

8. Does a tattoo honor God with our bodies? 

If after answering these questions you are not fully convinced to get a tattoo, you probably should not get one. 

Final Thoughts 

If a Christian is led to get a tattoo, it would seem odd based on what we can glean from the Bible regarding Christians being called out, separate people. However, if a brother or sister is convinced to get one, to his/her own Master he/she stands or falls. 

Is it something a church should be divided over? No. 

What are your thoughts? Let me know what you think in the comments. 

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Written by Jerry Smith

Feature image source: anete-lusina-146471-unsplash 

Female with tattoo on arm image source: annie-spratt-61562-unsplash

How Not to Be Deceived

Paul wrote to Christians, "Let no man deceive you" (2 Thessalonians 2:3, Ephesians 5:6) God's will is that believers are not deceived by false teachers or false doctrine that would lead them into wrong paths, unfruitful lives, or shame when all is said and done (2 Corinthians 5:10). 

But He didn't just leave it there. In His love, God gave us instructions how to prevent such deception. He tells us not to be deceived then tells us how not to be deceived. 

1. Test Everything 

God tells us to prove everything and hold fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). There are two activities at play in this passage that give us a result: 

(1) We are to prove everything; that is, we are supposed to put everything we encounter to the test. 

(2) We are to hold fast to that which is good; if we are supposed to test everything, we must have a baseline. That baseline is the word of God. 

If we are intimately familiar with the Bible, we will immediately notice false teaching. Christians are to be narrow-minded when it comes to the fundamentals of the faith. 

The result: 

(3) If we examine everything through the eyes of the word of God, we will be able to spot false teaching. 

2. Scrutinize Teachers and What They Teach 

We are commanded not to believe everyone who calls themselves a Bible teacher (1 John 4:1). Furthermore, we are commanded to examine everyone who claims to be a Bible teacher so we will know if they are really from God. 

That means we do not simply sit in a pew and listen to someone teaching the Bible on a Sunday morning. We are to be active listeners—checking the verses, checking the speaker's words, and checking the doctrine in them. We are not supposed to just sit and believe everything that is being taught—open your Bible and check! 

The Bereans were an excellent example of this (Acts 17:11). Even though they had the famous Paul the Apostle standing in front of them teaching them, they took the time to search the Scriptures to see if the things Paul taught them were in-line with what was written in the Scriptures—to see if the things Paul said were so. 

3. Know the Word of God

How do we know what to scrutinize teachers about? 

How do we know what right doctrine is? 

God directs us to do what many of us seem to have an aversion to . . . study (2 Timothy 2:15)! 

We are commanded to study for three reasons: 

1. So we will enjoy God's approval. 
2. So we do not need to be ashamed. 
3. So we will correctly handle the word of God. 

Why would God command us to study? The answer is clear: 

• He loves us. 
• He cares about our welfare. 
• He does not want to see us suffer. 
• He does not want us to be ashamed. 

Parting Thoughts 

These days, in our social media, fake news environment, it seems people believe almost everything they hear. But the Lord commands us to search the Scriptures and study the word so we will not be ashamed. 

Paul wrote, let no man deceive you... and God shows us how not to be deceived. It's all there in the word if we look for it. 

So, how not to be deceived? Be rooted and grounded in the word of God, and you will be able to spot false teachers and false teaching a mile away! 

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By Jerry Smith

Feature image source: nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash 

Open Bible image source: kelly-sikkema-275193-unsplash 

Open Bible listening image source: Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash 

Open Bible highlighting image source: rod-long-425679-unsplash 

Pastor, Be Nice!

Pastor, consider who you berate for being too tired to attend all church services; for those members choosing to rest instead of attend every function; for those not being able to be fully involved in ministry, or for not being able to attend every time the doors of the church building are open. 

You Forget

You forget your blessings—your vocation is one totally devoted to the ministry—to spiritual matters. 

You have the blessing of being cared for while leading the church, but others do not have such a blessing. They do not receive payment or privilege for exercising themselves in the things of the Lord. So they must work in their own vocations to provide for their families and or their own personal needs. 

They have graduations to go to, family gatherings, holidays with family members, business meetings, school activities, classes to attend, and any number of other activities weighing on them. 

Of course they would like to be in church. What Spirit-filled believer wouldn't? 

Of course they need to be in church, but they are unable to. 

Are they putting mammon before church meetings? That's what thoughtful biblical counseling may reveal. 

Be Gentle

Your forget that your role is to feed the flock of God under your charge (John 21:17, 1 Peter 5:2); feed them with the word of God (Jeremiah 3:15), not attack them. 

And in case you have forgotten, you are to be gentle with the flock (Isaiah 40:11) in fulfilling your role as the Lord's under-shepherd, not overbearing, hard, or selfish (Ezekiel 34:1-6) . 

The members of your church are out in the world 24-7, working, living, breathing, moving, and enduring while you remain within the confines of the sanctuary, where you are able to spend time focusing on spiritual matters. 

Be reminded that members sometimes struggle to be in church on Sundays or on Wednesday evenings because they are simply exhausted. 

You might want to try and show compassion (Mark 6:34)—which is part of being a shepherd—instead of judgment and disdain for weaker brethren because God will bring you under greater condemnation (James 3:1). 

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Written by Jerry Smith

Feature image source: istockphoto.com lisafx

Nice preacher image source: istockphoto.com FatCamera

BTW Where Did You Get That Income?

Apart from the obvious reasons, the book of Deuteronomy gives us a practical reason to be thankful for our income. 

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God... 

Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God... And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:11-18).

CONTEXT

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, a new generation of Israelites were getting ready to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. 

Moses was reminding the new generation of the great works of the Lord. Here they renewed their original covenant with God, to follow Him at Mt. Sinai.

Deuteronomy 8:11-18 was a specific reminder about getting wealth—making money. Since the Old Testament was written for our learning, these are still practical reminders for Christians today.

FAITH LESSON

Do we ever stop and consider with godly reverence what would happen if God had not granted us our skills, our job, our health to work, or our regular income?

When things are going good, we tend to forget God (not just the Israelites) and neglect Him. 

But rest assured, when things go wrong, we are right there pleading with Him to make things right.

Why not simply acknowledge God today for His blessings.

Moses' words to the Israelites remind us that everything comes from God. Just like our pets wait on us to feed them, so too we receive God's graciousness in this area of our lives.

REFLECTION

Am I thankful to God for my employment?

Am I thankful to God for the ability I have to make money?

Am I thankful to God for the health that I have to be able to work and make money? 

SHARING

What are your personal implications for this reminder? Feel free to share in the comments. 

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Written by Jerry Smith

Feature image source: Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

Kneeling in prayer image source: ben-white-137387-unsplash