Art of the Lord: Idolatry?

[Luminary]

Hey guys :-)

First, I apologize if this has been discussed before. I tried the search function to see if I could find one, but either my terms weren't sufficient, or I didn't search through the results thoroughly enough.

Second, one of my God-given talents is the ability to paint/draw to some degree.

So, my question is this: given that God commanded against the creation of graven images for the purpose of worship, what do you guys think about creating artwork that represents the Lord, Jesus Christ? I ask, because I have a desire to paint something that illustrates what John saw as he wrote down in Revelation about the glorified Christ. The image presented on the page inspired me, but I have been hesitating because I do not want to do anything to promote or support idolatry. I simply have the desire to glorify God in any way that I can, with what He gave me. Am I making sense? Let me know if I need to clarify.

Thanks!

[angelka71]

Personally, I see nothing wrong with you painting an illustration of Revelation or any other religious paintings/drawings. I believe God gave you your talent and love of art and it's absolutely beautiful that you want to use these gifts to glorify Him. That's exactly what he desires us to do with the abilities he gives us!

God knows your heart, He knows you aren't wanting to do this for the purpose of others worshiping your work or even to bring glory to yourself. I believe that most people are inspired by religious art. While I believe that the Catholic church in particular takes it too far, I wouldn't be surprised if many RR members have some religious pictures, paintings, sculptures in their homes.

And I for one would love to see your finished work!

[Celery7]

I don't see anything wrong with it either. As we all know it's considered an idolatry if you bow down or worship it.

[Hootmon]

There is a big difference between depicting an event artistically and kneeling before your handiwork.

[futurehope]

I'm going to put in my two cents. Go ahead. Create your artwork. God bless!

[iSong6:3]

I agree with everyone else.

Much artwork has caused my heart to worship the Lord, not the work itself. That's the purpose of art and God-given talent.

Please share with us when you're done!

[Wally]

The Law is a shadow of things. It shows us the dangers, as well as our own inability to meet the requirements of perfection.
The law teaches us.

Its when things take over, rule our lives, be it a Hotwheel, Lionel, sculpture, painting,...... a job,
That's when idol worship roots and starts to dominate.


Pray, seek the Lord and glorify Him with the gifts and skills He has given you.

But if you ever find things becoming a focus, a necessity, ..... cut the strings, or leave them alone.

[HeIsEnough]

I would seriously stay away from depicting (as an image) the Father, the Son or the Spirit in some art form. I am personally not comfortable with that, not sure about others though.

[Barachem]

I would seriously stay away from depicting (as an image) the Father, the Son or the Spirit in some art form. I am personally not comfortable with that, not sure about others though.

It's one of the many reasons i left the last church i was in and why i don't like to have "pictures" of Jesus, the Father or the Holy Spirit anywhere on my own accord.
I really have grown uncomfortable with such images.

[icebear]

I would seriously stay away from depicting (as an image) the Father, the Son or the Spirit in some art form. I am personally not comfortable with that, not sure about others though.

i don't like to have "pictures" of Jesus, the Father or the Holy Spirit anywhere on my own accord.
I really have grown uncomfortable with such images.

me too. idon't feel comfortable with depictions of Jesus. no one alive knows what He looked like. i doubt He even resembles the depictions we have. i don't keep pictures of other men in my wallet to remind me of my husband. i don't need pics of "jesus" to remind me of Jesus

[jeri559]

I agree with everyone else.

Much artwork has caused my heart to worship the Lord, not the work itself. That's the purpose of art and God-given talent.

Please share with us when you're done!

Liminary...I agree with iSong. My heart has been inspired by beautiful works of art created for the Glory of God. Please share with us when you have finished.

[ladylinda]

I like the "art" the God provides me with randomly...like the potato chip pulled from a bag of Lay's last year that has a cutout in the center that looks like a cross upright, but if you turn it on its side it looks like a dove in flight. And just recently we experienced some damage from the tornado that went through West Liberty Kentucky, a community very near where I live. Our patio door was hit by our gazebo which had been pulled up and twisted shattering the outside glass making it look like a stained glass window...and at night when the light would shine in you could clearly see a CROSS illuminated in it! It made me pause and give thanks to Him...that door was very close to where I took refuge from the storm! I still have that chip...couldn't bring myself to eat it. The door is gone but that blessed memory will live on. I agree with others who aren't comfortable with depictions of God or Jesus in human form. I've never felt comfortable with that.

[Acts5:41]

Linda! I'm so glad you're OK!

I'm not an "artist" but I have a lot of creativity. One thing I have done, various little figures in Big Trouble - like a little guy on a raft, about to get swamped by a tidal wave, praying and looking at a cross in the sky, away from the tidal wave. I called that one "Though He slay me, I will trust in Him" (it's from Job). I gave it to my parents, who have it displayed in their living room.

I also did one for my sister, it is very dark night, a figure is praying calmly as a meteor comes flying in directly at his position.

I have another one I want to do, with a cross/Bible combination stabbing a demon and TAKE THOUGHTS CAPTIVE surrounding it. It's a reference to my illness and my faith conquering.

Like I said, I'm no "artist", but here's the one I did for my parents. https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

I don't see any problem with doing my art. My faith is depicted with images of crosses on a pearlescent background.

[Luminary]

Thank you to each of you for sharing your thoughts about this :-) I appreciate it greatly!

[RevivedAgain]

Linda! I'm so glad you're OK!

I'm not an "artist" but I have a lot of creativity. One thing I have done, various little figures in Big Trouble - like a little guy on a raft, about to get swamped by a tidal wave, praying and looking at a cross in the sky, away from the tidal wave. I called that one "Though He slay me, I will trust in Him" (it's from Job). I gave it to my parents, who have it displayed in their living room.

I also did one for my sister, it is very dark night, a figure is praying calmly as a meteor comes flying in directly at his position.

I have another one I want to do, with a cross/Bible combination stabbing a demon and TAKE THOUGHTS CAPTIVE surrounding it. It's a reference to my illness and my faith conquering.

Like I said, I'm no "artist", but here's the one I did for my parents. https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

I don't see any problem with doing my art. My faith is depicted with images of crosses on a pearlescent background.

That's very nice, Acts. =)

[Acts5:41]

Thanks!

I know it is very simple, but I have a pretty simple faith, and I wanted to convey, no matter what happens, I'm not taking my eyes off Jesus.

My parents are not poor, and Mom kept talking about the picture so much I mailed it to her. She has it in the living room, with a verse under it. I was very touched.

I was talking to my Dad recently when he came to visit, he said "Well, I would have liked a couple of engineers in the family". I said, "Well, you got an evangelist" He said "That's a higher calling, anyway".

I am really excited to get working on "Take thoughts captive" I have some pretty awful thoughts, at times, with my illness and I want to have a good reminder to turn it over to God.

Happily, my illness comes with a fair amount of creativity.