Did God command having statues and images in church? (Torah, exodus)

[Bryan X]

According to Catholic.com, they said:

' People who oppose religious statuary forget about the many passages where the Lord commands the making of statues. For example: "And you shall make two cherubim of gold [i.e., two gold statues of angels]; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end; of one piece of the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be" (Ex. 25:18–20).

David gave Solomon the plan "for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. All this he made clear by the writing of the hand of the Lord concerning it all, all the work to be done according to the plan" (1 Chr. 28:18–19). David’s plan for the temple, which the biblical author tells us was "by the writing of the hand of the Lord concerning it all," included statues of angels.

Similarly Ezekiel 41:17–18 describes graven (carved) images in the idealized temple he was shown in a vision, for he writes, "On the walls round about in the inner room and [on] the nave were carved likenesses of cherubim." '
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Inputs please.

[Doc]

I don't mind statues in a church as long as they are not visible the entire time during the mass. Sometimes, when I have visited beautiful places of worship with god, stone, and lovely statues, it can distract me from the mass and my mind wanders observing the things in the church! I just prefer going to simple churches with not too much gold or statues to distract me!

[painted wolf]

I think that the key is that they are not representations of God. Mythical figures like cherubs and what not are ok, as they are not 'graven imagaes'. You do not pray to a decorative gargoyle or what have you like you would pray to a statue ment to represent a god, like in a temple devoted to say Osiris.

So the way I always saw it, decoration = good, veneration = bad.

wa:do

[cardero]

I do not think that GOD needed or wanted this particular brand of decorative worship that most churches display. In fact when you think about the cost to most of these "artifacts" the money could probably have been spent on something more worthwhile.

[Bryan X]

What do you guys think of the Catholic's belief that God said to make statues? They even cited a verse for it. What about the command of not making any carved images? Surely the Bible isn't contradicting itself. So the Catholics have to explain this now that they have used a verse to support their belief of having statues/images.

[_salam_]

Originally Posted by Bryan X

What do you guys think of the Catholic's belief that God said to make statues? They even cited a verse for it. What about the command of not making any carved images? Surely the Bible isn't contradicting itself. So the Catholics have to explain this now that they have used a verse to support their belief of having statues/images.

Actually that first quote is from the book of Exodus which is in the Torah or the Old Testament. Therefore the Jews and all of the Christians would be following this command. I don't think that the Bible would be considered as contradicting itself in this instence however. They are not worshipping these things. However I do think the money that is spent on these things could go to a better use.

[Linus]

All of those passages are from the Old Testament. Those instructions are for the Jews' Temple and christians are not commanded to worship in temples anymore.

[Bryan X]

Originally Posted by Linus

All of those passages are from the Old Testament. Those instructions are for the Jews' Temple and christians are not commanded to worship in temples anymore.

I see.

So does that passage apply to Catholics today? Or do they have a misunderstanding of the verse? You said they are for the Jews and that Christians are not commanded to worship in temples anymore. But Catholics consider themselves Christians, right?

[Ronald]

When one does as he is instructed, it's called obedience, when he takes it upon himself to do extra things, it's called adding to the Word of God. Forbidden in the First Testament and the Second.

IS.29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Mt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mr 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Bryan X

So does that passage apply to Catholics today? Or do they have a misunderstanding of the verse? You said they are for the Jews and that Christians are not commanded to worship in temples anymore. But Catholics consider themselves Christians, right?

I would say that it does apply to catholics. And no they don't exactly misunderstand the passage. I would say its more like taking the passage out of its original context. And yes, they do consider themselves christians.