Are movies that depict Jesus violating the rule to make no image of God?
Question:
Hello,
I have a couple of questions.
Does the movie "The Passion of Christ" violate Exodus 20:4-5? I understand that there is no idol worship here, but making images from that which is in heaven would apply, it seems. I read your article about the review of the movie and this issue was not brought up, which made me wonder. Are images of God allowed to be created if idol worship is not in play? For example, the Roman Catholics and many others have images of a blond-haired, blue-eyed, white person representing Jesus. Even though we don't have an exact idea of His face, it's obvious that these features are incorrect.
Answer:
"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments" (Exodus 20:4-6).
"You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 26:1).
"Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures" (Romans 1:22-23).
The command deals with creating an idol for the purpose of worship. The Hebrew literally refers to a carved image. Jesus came to earth as a man, so to portray him as he was here on earth would not be wrong so long as that image is not worshiped. Unfortunately, many people give reverence to the works of men's hands.
