The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Passion movie and the 2nd Commandment

My sister-in-law is a brand new believer...her church sponsored a private viewing...it's a huge Church ....and she saw it last eve. She had to cover her eyes in parts...too brutally graphic....but said it was an incredible movie....left her moved to her shoes...very tearful.

I'm getting both sides of the 2nd Commandment from folks in my denomination....I"m torn...but have no plans or desire to see the film.

blessings,

I think, with this movie, it's the kind of situation where if an unbeliever has seen the movie, we can sock 'em with truth of the gospel. Because a lot of people are going to see this movie, in this sense it will be like "shooting fish in a barrel" type evangelization.

However, for those of us who know the truth, who know Christ already, who know the sad truth about this movie, I think we would be walking on very dangerous ground to go and see it.

Yes, I'm sure good will come of this movie. But I do not think we have fully grasped what evil will come of it as well. A bible teacher friend of mine referred to this movie as the "thin wedge of a great ecumenical delusion." We would do well to heed his words.

Having read this and other forum comments on this movie and the 2nd Commandment, I'd like to ask if such symbols as the dove, in Scripture representing the Holy Spirit, are also to be considered blasphemous?

Yes, if the picture of the dove has an inscription which says it is to be taken as the Holy Spirit. There is nothing inherently blasphemous, evil or wrong with painting a dove, a creature created by God. But if one says that the picture of the dove IS the Holy Spirit, is said to REPRESENT the Holy Spirit, or SYMBOLIZES the Holy Spirit, then it becomes an idol and as such is in violation of the Second Commandment. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

What about the tetragrammatron "YHWH" that the Jews use? Or the way we capitalise the word LORD in the Bible?

Eleanor,

What is your question? I'm trying to figure out how this relates to the prohibition of the Second Commandment against creating images, representations of any of the three Persons of the Trinity. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Please don't misunderstand me; I'm not trying to be smart. I'm trying to get a grip on the limits of what you mean by a 'representation'. Words are representations, some of those words have been held as sacred to the point where Jews would not say or write the Name of God, but would instead use the tetragrammatron "YHWH". In the same way many Bibles represent the Almighty Father by the capitalised word "LORD". These words are representations, just as symbols such as the looped triangle is for the Trinity, and the dove is for the Holy Spirit.. Does it go too far to rever the Name of the Lord in the way that the Jews did? Is there some way in which one could be breaking both the 2nd commandment and the 3rd at the same time? Where is the line; can it be defined?

Doubtless, if you would do some further reading on this subject, e.g., Calvin's Institutes (a download for your PC) and read in, II:8.13-21, and/or Ursinus' Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism in the section on the Second Commandment you would find much more information than I am able to provide you here.

In essence both these writers and the historical position of the Church has always been, until recently, that man may not create any form, image (representation), specifically of material matter nor in one's imagination any form or image of any of the three Person's of the Trinity. This would include all forms of so-called "art work", whether it be a simple line drawing, stained glass, intricate and detailed sculpture, painting, etc. This would be even more applicable to another human being "representing" God in any of the three Persons, e.g., in a skit, play, drama, movie, etc., which would be the epitome of blasphemy, IMHO.

As to your wanting to know about a "dove". That is an easy one because Scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit as manifesting Himself in the form of a dove. So, if the intent of an artist is to represent God the Spirit as a dove, then he/she has broken the Second Commandment. However, if a person were to make an image of a dove simply as a representation of the bird which God created, then this would not be a violation of the Second Commandment. The same could be said for all the theophonies described in the Bible.

As to words... they are not to be classified as "representations" in the context and intent of the prohibition of the Second Commandment. Thus, the Jews invention of the Tetragrammaton, is understandable, but no violation. One may individually choose to use such devices out of conscience. However, the Scripture enjoins us to call upon the name of the Lord, etc. It is a man-made invention which is not required or commanded of God.

Words can be spoken and/or written which are in violation of God's commandments, however. For example, the Third Commandment forbids the "taking of the name of the LORD God in vain". Teaching/preaching heresy in regard to the person and nature of God is also forbidden; but that should be obvious. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Does this help? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Yup, it helps, thanks. I do have the Institutes, but only an abridged copy.