The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Images of Christ Poll

Some of you might think this is an unusual poll, but I’m curious what others think. When I have thoughts of Christ, my mind conjures up an image of Him and it’s always the commonly used image (i.e. fair complexion, long hair, and beard). I believe this is due to the influence of books, paintings, movies, stained glass, or whatever it may be, this image is always used.

What about you? I think I made enough answers to choose from. Please comment on your answer.

When I have thoughts of Christ, the image in my mind is: single choice
	The commonly used image (i.e. fair complexion, long hair, and beard) or something similar to it.
	An image of a man, but completely different from the commonly used image.
	I do not see an image of a man, I see something else.
	I never see an image of anything in my mind.
Votes accepted starting: Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:00 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I voted in the poll because I wanted to see the responses, but there really wasn't one that "fit" me. I clicked "I never see an image of anything in my mind" because that is probably the closest, but that isn't entirely true. Never is a big word. When I was a child I remember seeing images of Jesus. He looked to me like all the Sunday school pictures and movies I had ever seen.

I've had occasion to think about this recently and I realize that now I don't think of that unless it's during this kind of discussion. Sometimes when I am reading the Gospel accounts of His life on earth, I get a shadowy sense of the action of the Man, for example when he raised Jairus' daughter or when He called Lazarus. But there's not a lot of detail other than what the mind fills in as a necessity. I get a much stronger picture in my mind about how the other people in the gospel narratives looked and how they acted.

I sense a kind of prohibition in my mind even now when I am trying to describe what I "see" and how I "see" it.

I can't really describe it to another person but I can tell you that I am satisfied and content with it. (I say "it" because I don't even know how to describe "it".)

Let me try this: Christ is real to me. His presence is more real to me than any image I can create in my mind. When I read of Him in the Bible something resonates in my Spirit in a way that it never can in my mind.

That's probably more than you wanted to know, but as I said, I have had reason to think about this recently so it is fresh in my mind.

I agree with what Kim wrote. On a day to day basis, I have no image in my mind about what Christ looked like. When the image of Christ is brought up, such as in this poll, however, the common image of Christ I often saw as a kid springs to mind (poll answer a). When that image does spring to mind, I make an effort to push it out of mind. That's one reason (among others) I've refrained from seeing The Passion of Christ, as I would imagine that if I did, the image of James Cave????? would be burned in my brain for quite a while.

John

John,

I didn't see the Passion of the Christ either, for the same reason.

It's funny, but a movie I didn't see really caused me to examine not only the 2nd commandment, but also my own mind and heart with regard to the way I "experience Christ" for lack of a better term. Just recently I was involved in a conversation re: the hypostatic union, the Athanasian Creed. I find it is very difficult to discuss these things without erring in our conversation.

I don't really picture or image anyone in scripture.... I don't think my imagination is that good. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Plus, I guess I'm more attracted to the words of scripture then visuals. In fact, I find myself more and more being put off by any type of visual presentations.

Dave.

Well.... ok, now thinking about it, I do picture David as a black curly haired man and boy and Noah as an old white haired and bearded man. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No, this is the type of feedback I was interested in.

Thanks <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Some members of my first church were followers of Dr Peter S Ruckman <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" /> who would draw as he preached.<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> And I watched many of his sermons on tape. So I would say when I thought of Jesus Christ I used to see a image of a man but by the grace of God not any more.

This poll reminded me of a question that was ask in a group of ladies,one of which was me.They ask,do you think Jesus was handsome,good looking.
Their answers ranged from, beautiful,to ugly jew, he was average looking,I was thinking,listening,to their words,when they wanted my thoughts,I surprised my self with the words that descibed the man Jesus,I said he looked like a mountian man,rough skin long hair,etc, the kind of man that held the image of all my fears in men.
Thinking still,I realized,having a relationship with Christ,means I know him,talk to him,count on him everyday of my life,so what does it matter,how he looks I love him,so many times when trouble came my way I would have loved running into his arms,and when I'm laughing,having the most wonderful time,I want him there with me.
Loving him is important, it's not what we see on the outside,it's knowing who he is.

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/joy.gif" alt="" /> neicey

Kim,

I guess that has been one benefit of the movie for me too. It really caused me to think about a lot of issues I had never even been aware of before the movie was made. I too find it difficult to discuss the incarnation without making mistakes. I'm still studying things like the hypostatic union, etc., but often the subtleties of the language, ideas, and points of contention can be confusing.

John

Dave,

In your poll I chose "an image of a man but completely different than the commonly used image."

Here's an example. How can the artist who painted the picture of Jesus praying reconcile this with the biblical account of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane?

"And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44)


Wes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />

For that matter, how can an artist paint any picture of Jesus when we do not know what He looked like. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />

I agree. However, we know Jesus was a true man and probably looked like a lot of other Jewish men in that time. My criticism of the painting I submitted is that Luke tells us that Jesus was in great agony to the point of sweating great drops of blood. While the person in the painting seemed quite pious and reserved. Quite a contrast don't you think?


Wes

Absolutely. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/yep.gif" alt="" />