Comments on: Idol Worship, Statues in Churches, and the 2nd Commandment http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/idol-worship-statues-in-churches-and-the-2nd-commandment/ Bread From Heaven Unlimited is an apostolate for educating the public about the Truths of the Catholic Faith using modern media-print and internet. It is our tiny effort to counteract the bad press about the Catholic Church and supplement the catechesis in many modern parishes. Our patron saints are St. Francis de Sales and John Paul II. Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:29:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: bfhu http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/idol-worship-statues-in-churches-and-the-2nd-commandment/#comment-5288 bfhu Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:16:28 +0000 http://bfhu.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-5288 Amen Thomas. Amen Thomas.

]]> By: Thomas http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/idol-worship-statues-in-churches-and-the-2nd-commandment/#comment-5287 Thomas Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:55:11 +0000 http://bfhu.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-5287 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven

]]> By: bfhu http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/idol-worship-statues-in-churches-and-the-2nd-commandment/#comment-5278 bfhu Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:18:47 +0000 http://bfhu.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-5278 Jeronie, All of your arguments are based on a false premise. That premise is that all Christian truth can be found in Sacred Scripture and ONLY sacred scripture. The irony is that this Protestant Doctrine of Scripture Alone or Sola Scriptura <em><strong>cannot be found anywhere in Scripture. </strong> </em> You base your beliefs and criticism of the Catholic doctrine on Protestant interpretation of scripture which is actually Protestant Tradition. Click the links for more posts on Catholic <a href="http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2007/10/08/sacred-scripture-and-sacred-tradition-equal/" rel="nofollow">TRADITION</a> Jeronie,

All of your arguments are based on a false premise. That premise is that all Christian truth can be found in Sacred Scripture and ONLY sacred scripture. The irony is that this Protestant Doctrine of Scripture Alone or Sola Scriptura cannot be found anywhere in Scripture.

You base your beliefs and criticism of the Catholic doctrine on Protestant interpretation of scripture which is actually Protestant Tradition.

Click the links for more posts on Catholic TRADITION

]]> By: Jeronie Frias http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/idol-worship-statues-in-churches-and-the-2nd-commandment/#comment-5237 Jeronie Frias Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:27:45 +0000 http://bfhu.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-5237 The definition of idolatry, according to Webster, is “the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God. The most prevalent form of idolatry in Bible times was the worship of images that were thought to embody the various pagan deities. From the beginning, God’s covenant with Israel was based on exclusive worship of Him alone (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7). The Israelites were not even to mention the names of false gods (Exodus 23:13) because to do so would acknowledge their existence and give credence to their power and influence over the people. Israel was forbidden to intermarry with other cultures because they embraced false gods, and God knew this would lead to compromise. The book of Hosea uses the imagery of adultery to describe Israel’s continual chasing after other gods, like an unfaithful wife chases after other men. The history of Israel is a sad chronicle of idol worship, punishment, restoration and forgiveness, followed by a return to idolatry. The books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles reveals this destructive pattern. The Old Testament prophets endlessly prophesied dire consequences for Israel if they continued in their idolatry. Mostly they were ignored until it was too late and God’s wrath against idol-worship was poured out on the nation. But ours is a merciful God and He never failed to forgive and restore them when they repented and sought His forgiveness. In reality, idols are impotent blocks of stone or wood and their power exists only in the minds of the worshippers. The idol of the god Dagon was twice knocked to the floor by God to show the Israelites just who was God and who wasn’t (1 Samuel 1:1-5). The “contest” between God and His prophet, Elijah, and the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is a dramatic example of the power of the true God (1 Kings 18:19-40) and the impotence of false gods. The testimony of Scripture is that God alone is worthy of worship. Idol worship robs God of the glory that is rightfully His and that is something He will not tolerate (Isaiah 42:8). Even today there are religions that bow before statues and icons, a practice forbidden by God’s Word. The significance He places upon it is reflected in the fact that the first of the Ten Commandments refers to idolatry: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me” (Exodus 20:3-5). Idolatry extends beyond the worship of idols and images and false gods. Our modern idols are many and varied. Even for those who do not bow physically before a statute, idolatry is a matter of the heart—pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, a love for possessions and ultimately rebellion against God. Is it any wonder that God hates it? The definition of idolatry, according to Webster, is “the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God. The most prevalent form of idolatry in Bible times was the worship of images that were thought to embody the various pagan deities.

From the beginning, God’s covenant with Israel was based on exclusive worship of Him alone (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7). The Israelites were not even to mention the names of false gods (Exodus 23:13) because to do so would acknowledge their existence and give credence to their power and influence over the people. Israel was forbidden to intermarry with other cultures because they embraced false gods, and God knew this would lead to compromise. The book of Hosea uses the imagery of adultery to describe Israel’s continual chasing after other gods, like an unfaithful wife chases after other men. The history of Israel is a sad chronicle of idol worship, punishment, restoration and forgiveness, followed by a return to idolatry. The books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles reveals this destructive pattern. The Old Testament prophets endlessly prophesied dire consequences for Israel if they continued in their idolatry. Mostly they were ignored until it was too late and God’s wrath against idol-worship was poured out on the nation. But ours is a merciful God and He never failed to forgive and restore them when they repented and sought His forgiveness.

In reality, idols are impotent blocks of stone or wood and their power exists only in the minds of the worshippers. The idol of the god Dagon was twice knocked to the floor by God to show the Israelites just who was God and who wasn’t (1 Samuel 1:1-5). The “contest” between God and His prophet, Elijah, and the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is a dramatic example of the power of the true God (1 Kings 18:19-40) and the impotence of false gods. The testimony of Scripture is that God alone is worthy of worship. Idol worship robs God of the glory that is rightfully His and that is something He will not tolerate (Isaiah 42:8).

Even today there are religions that bow before statues and icons, a practice forbidden by God’s Word. The significance He places upon it is reflected in the fact that the first of the Ten Commandments refers to idolatry: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me” (Exodus 20:3-5).

Idolatry extends beyond the worship of idols and images and false gods. Our modern idols are many and varied. Even for those who do not bow physically before a statute, idolatry is a matter of the heart—pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, a love for possessions and ultimately rebellion against God. Is it any wonder that God hates it?

]]> By: bfhu http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/idol-worship-statues-in-churches-and-the-2nd-commandment/#comment-4487 bfhu Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:36:12 +0000 http://bfhu.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-4487 What constitute worship? <strong>Adoration, prayer and sacrifice.</strong> Is bowing down an act of worship? <strong>It can be. But Christian Europeans bowed and knelt before their kings and queens and it was not considered worship but simply honor and respect. It is what is in the heart.</strong> Does the Church permit bowing to images, and kneeling before them to say prayers. <strong>Yes. </strong> Please, if you can give me Church's document on this, I will greatly appreciate. There may be others but you can click on the link below to see the Council of Trent document on this issue. <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/TRENT25.HTM" rel="nofollow"><strong>Session 25 of the Council of Trent</strong></a> <strong>The anathema is in the second paragraph. But this anathema is no longer against those born into Protestantism. I It is just instructive to know how strongly the Holy Council felt about any teaching contrary to this canon.</strong> What constitute worship?
Adoration, prayer and sacrifice.

Is bowing down an act of worship?
It can be. But Christian Europeans bowed and knelt before their kings and queens
and it was not considered worship but simply honor and respect. It is what is in the heart.

Does the Church
permit bowing to images, and kneeling before them to say prayers.

Yes.

Please, if you
can give me Church’s document on this, I will greatly appreciate. There may be others but you can click on the link below to see the Council of Trent document on this issue.

Session 25 of the Council of Trent

The anathema is in the second paragraph.
But this anathema is no longer against those born into Protestantism. I
It is just instructive to know how strongly the Holy Council felt about
any teaching contrary to this canon.

]]> By: Igbozulike, Augustine O. http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/idol-worship-statues-in-churches-and-the-2nd-commandment/#comment-4486 Igbozulike, Augustine O. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:44:59 +0000 http://bfhu.wordpress.com/?p=322#comment-4486 What constitute worship? Is bowing down an act of worship? Does the Church permit bowing to images, and kneeling before them to say prayers. Please, if you can give me Church's document on this, I will greatly appreciate. Thanks, IGBOZULIKE, Augustine O. Postgraduate Coordinator, Nigeria Federation of Catholic Stdents NFCS (IMCS-Nigeria) University of Ibadan Ibadan, Nigeria. What constitute worship? Is bowing down an act of worship? Does the Church permit bowing to images, and kneeling before them to say prayers. Please, if you can give me Church’s document on this, I will greatly appreciate.
Thanks,

IGBOZULIKE, Augustine O.
Postgraduate Coordinator,
Nigeria Federation of Catholic Stdents
NFCS (IMCS-Nigeria)
University of Ibadan
Ibadan, Nigeria.

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