Sunday, September 19

Graven images: what is seen

Imagery is powerful. When I've studied ancient Christian thinkers who argued against the use of images in worship, I've been able to understand why they wrote so strongly against graven images. We know that we are flawed and fallen people, we know that we are weak of will and changeable in spirit. As we read from Exodus this morning, we know the temptation to clasp to what is seen in our moments of weakness and trouble. There is a risk to the use of imagery, the risk of clinging to the image and refusing to see past it.

But there is great potential, too. There is the possibility of new thoughts, new feelings, new expressions of faith. An idea, a concept, depicted through art, may be presented in a new and compelling way, compelling our thoughts, compelling us to new understanding. Because imagery can be so powerful, it can challenge us. It can force us to envision things in a new way.

We must not grave an image and then view the image as truth, as the totality of God. As Andrew noted during the sermon this morning, reducing our vision of God to a physical depiction is the problem. But using images to challenge our concept of God - such as not merely depicting Jesus as a blond-haired, blue eyed, fair skinned man, or imaging God the Father as a Mother - not only keeps us from the sin of worshipping the image, but it broadens our understanding of the Divine. It propels us into a more dynamic relationship with the LORD. I had the privilege of sharing my thoughts on how our understanding of God's identity informs our relationship with Her during a sermon this summer up at Gracefield.

As Paul wrote to the Christians of Corinth, "So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Approaching our images as a momentary impression of the Almighty, as a tiny glimpse of Her Great Infinity can be beautiful, powerful, and helpful. But there is the risk of sin: we proceed with caution.

:: Darlene