Damn son. So is it a 2 shot when they are headshots? I think this is how all ads shooters should be except destiny because it is a rail shooter.
The 2nd commandment is about idol worship, not restricting depiction of holy things. Just dont start worshipping a statue of Jesus, and its fine to depict him, if done in reverence. Love the picture, btw.
You could say that about a lot of warnings and rules from the Bible. Of course, if you can avoid the sin, then you can "break the rules", but it's just not a very intelligent way to go about interpreting a text if you actually believe it comes straight from the mouth of God like I do. I mean, who has more wisdom than God? They are commandments after all, and not the "Ten suggestions".
Interpretation and discernment, my friend. The reason it says not to make images of holy things is because of the idol worship. It's not two separate commandments, but two ways of reiterating the same point. Back then, early man had no understanding of how to distinguish between the two things. If they saw a picture or a statue, they thought they were being lead to believe that was God and the message was lost on them. However, I do see your point and I'm not saying its totally wrong, I just think we are given a LOT of leeway on this point - God knows the intent of the person making the image. Some to glorify, and some the opposite. Some Christians do keep far too many little statu-y things and that really doesn't sit well with me. I don't personally like Russian Orthodox or Roman Catholic practices in this area... but alas, I've probably said enough
My personal opinion is that what are referred to as 'Commandments' were never intended to be commandments. I believe that they were presented as signs of godhood or holiness, or whatever you want to call it, that were misinterpreted as commandments by unholy people. It was intended to convey that a Holy person shall not steal, kill, etc. It's an indicator or holiness. Someone who follows the 'commandments' because they believe they're supposed to, and not as a natural expression of their being, is not holy.
I just want to ask, if God was only just saying to avoid the sin of idolatry, then why did he deliver such a specific, multi part commandment? It's because he doesn't even want us to be tempted. You could be surrounded by graven images and never worship them, but at the end of the day, God commanded us to never put ourselves in that situation. Doing so is foolish as it is likely to lead to sin, which is why God gave the commandment in the first place. In my estimation, it's foolish for a believer to read a straightforward commandment given by God himself and think "what he really meant was this" Even if you happen to be correct... you disobey the commandment in the process. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images" is a commandment, and even if we understand what trap he's trying to keep us from falling into, we need to obey. Disobeying God is a sin just as much as Idolatry is.
Right. Nobody could ever follow all of the commandments anyways. Moses brought us the law so that we could see how broken and hopeless we are, and then Christ offered a way out. However, even though nobody is perfect, believers should still strive to obey the commandments because a lot of them keep us out of potentially bad situations, like the second commandment with graven images.
Big picture, I think that the commandments are commandments. But if you are truly a follower of Christ that you will naturally produce spiritual fruits in line with the commandments. To go a little micro, I think @ExTerrestr1al is right that context is very important to consider when reading the Bible. Things like languange, text, and culture were very different then compared to now. The original language of the scripts was less structured and more imagery based so I believe verses 4 and 5 should be considered together and not necessarily independent sentences. ESV Exodus 20 "4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, ..." "any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" is all just to say everything in the material world, because God is spiritual/nonphysical and can't be accurately depicted in a physical image. They might have been separated into two sentences because the word picture of Aramaic/Hebrew of "the entire material world" into English is quite the mouthful, then man structured things like they like to do and introduced sentences. So I believe the the commandment is telling us not to create images to worship, be it an inadequate version of Jesus or a picture of Tom French. Worship is supposed to be a relationship with God, and a "carved image" (physical) can't adequately depict God (spiritual). Spoiler: Temptation And you're right @Xandrith that God loves us and doesn't want us to even be tempted, he doesn't want us to temp others as well. Romans 14 "13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." You may not see a picture of the Jesus in your living room or drinking a beer at the company Christmas party as a problem, but what influence does it have on those around you? Edit: If you don't have the Moody Bible Commentary I can't recommend it enough.
If everything will eventually become one with God, should one not worship everything? Honestly asking, not trying to be THAT guy