The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Souvenirs or idols?

This question has been rolling in my mind over the last week or so. Is it appropriate for us as Christians to have a souvenir of a trip to Greece by having a wooden statue of the goddess Diana or a Greek Orthodox icon of Jesus?<br><br>I personally would not buy either of these items. But several years ago my parents went to Greece and came back with some statues of Diana to give to people as a gift, as well as some icons of Christ. My family of course is not worshipping the Diana statue, but it sits on my family's foyer table. I was given a Greek Orthodox icon of Christ, but in all honesty that probably is not what Christ looked like, and it is an object associated with a less than orthodox church.

I personally would not allow any such idol to be present within my house. How might the Lord feel to my placing the idol of a pagan god on my coffee table? Even if I do not worship it the principle remains. As for the icon of Christ, I am uncomfortable around Greek and Roman images. I would nor more want one than a crucifix. Christ is not in a piece of stone, nor is He on the cross, He is seated on His throne in Heaven.

Amen. If I brought this concern before my parents, they would not listen, since they would think I was "overreacting." And yet I walk by that table each day, wondering about it, particularly because my cousin now lives with us when he is home from college, and he is a neopagan.<br><br>My parents accuse me of taking theology "too seriously." They think it is a Christian-highschool graduate, Baptist college graduate, seminary librarian thing. They are stuck in their mainline "Christian" world. I grew up with my family telling me that it was the "conservative fundamentalists" who took anything absolutely seriously.<br><br>I am the only evangelical in my entire extended family. They are all Disciples of Christ, PCUSA, United Methodist, Catholic, and non-Christian.<br><br>And not one so far is responding to the Gospel. In fact, I witnessed to my great aunt, who is a relativist who won't even call murder evil ("It's not a good thing, but I don't want to judge") My aunt told my parents about our conversation, and all my parents said to me was "We admire your faith, but maybe you could pick your battles and back off. There are so many other things to talk about besides God." And this was only the second time I had gotten to witness to my aunt! Do they not know Christians have an obligation to witness to others?? My dad thinks witnessing is asking people to pray for him. My mom thinks witnessing is all about not stealing, not lying, and not being rude. Yes, we should witness by our lives, but sharing the truths of the Bible is essential too.<br><br>And what is the Lord teaching me through this? Patience, for one. A dependency on God, knowing it is He who hardens and softens hearts. The fact that He is the sovereign and merciful Potter, and I am but the clay. Humility and a thankful heart because I do not deserve God's grace.<br><br>I want to take the time right now to thank you all for the many conversations we've had on this board. I've grown so much in the Lord this past year, and I want to say you all have played a part in that. We are like iron sharpening iron. And I look forward to so many good conversations to come. And then comes Heaven, when we the redeemed will worship Christ forever and ever! Our faith will be made sight, and the cares of this world will be long past.<br><br>Goodnight, my fellow pilgrims.

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]"We are like iron sharpening iron. And I look forward to so many good conversations to come. And then comes Heaven, when we the redeemed will worship Christ forever and ever! Our faith will be made sight, and the cares of this world will be long past."</font><hr></blockquote><p><br>AMEN! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/bravo.gif" alt="bravo" title="bravo[/img]<br><br>Chris

Your comment about your family saying "There is more to talk about than God" struck me. I hear the same things around my in-laws. Seldom if ever do we converse about the Almighty. When even religion is struck it is of such a broad nature. My mother in law was commenting to the sister in law how she enjoyed her Episcopal Church because of how close to Catholic they were. I didn't dare bother to get into a Church of England discussion. It is very hard, especially on my wife. I cannot say as I blame her. But there is so much more to talk about besides God around them it seems. It brings to mind something mentor once said, "I hope you do not think there is more to life than serving God?"

Tend to agree - I would not even put a picture of "Jesus" in my house (maybe too fundamentalist?). I avoid emotional/inward pictures of Him as well - He is who He is and I do not want to taint Him in any way. He is known by faith.

sbc_and_reformed,<br><br> What a lovely letter, thanks for your posts, you also contribute much to this forum! It is a good place to learn and to hear experiences of brothers and sisters as they journey toward home!<br><br> Sounds like you have quite a time with your family! I hope you have fellowship near you as it is hard to keep going by yourself against such attitudes. I agree, I would not have these "souvenir" statues in my home. Our whole lives belong to Christ, not to idols.<br><br>In His Hands, <br><br>Ruth <br>P.S. Did you get my PM?<br><br>

Dear SBC & Reformed:<br><br>Thank you for sharing your experience with your family. Mine is very similar and so I could identify with your situation. It is nice to know that we have a spiritual family where one day all will be perfect beauty and harmony and love and it will all flow from Him who is Love and Peace and Truth personified.<br><br>I did some reading on the occult a few years back from conservative authors and they seemed to converge on the opinion that physical idols (as opposed to mental ones) such as you speak of are a place of congregation for fallen spirits. I could go into the details for the basis of their opinions, which was very interesting and convincing but it would take too much time and space. Suffice it to say that I don't permit anything that is designed to pay homage to any false God in my house or property and I avoid them in others', not out of superstition, but rather respect. I always remember that Jude said that Michael didn't pronounce a railing judgement but said "the Lord rebuke you" to satan. I believe there is more to the realm of spiritual wickedness than most realize.<br><br>In Him,<br><br>Gerry <br><br>

It is wonderful to know that we have a spiritual faimly [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin[/img]<br><br>In fact, my pastor preached a wonderful sermon a few weeks ago (any surprise it was the day after I was very discouraged over my family?) on the Body of Christ and our fellowship with one another. This one point really struck home with me: We will be spending far more time with our spiritual family than with our natural families.<br><br>Yesterday I had a conversation with my dad that I see as a turning point. I basically confronted him, in love, of the fact he needs to put God first. He then said that he knew that, that he "repects my faith" (though he didn't give a very clear answer as to what he meant by that), and he would "come around slowly and sometime later." He said he wanted me to back off and he also said that he had been given My Utmost for His Highest as a gift and would listen to it sometime soon.<br><br>So I've done all I can do as far as what to say to my father. But I can still pray for our Father to open my father's eyes and heart. I will tell you one thing: I have grown in my faith because of my family, as well as in spite of my family. God always amazes me as to how such marvelous things can be taught in the least ideal circumstances. So, while I can't say any of my relatives have been spiritual mentors in my life, I can say that God has used them.<br><br>Gerry, could you tell me about your family situation and how you have dealt with it? I'd love to hear about it.

Ruth, no I didn't get your PM. Could you send it again?<br><br>Yes, I do have a very good fellowship close by. I cannot drive because of my vision, but I get rides from my parents or family or someone from my church. Of course, I wish my family would actually come to worship when they take me, but they usually don't. I guess they are afraid they might be convicted as to their lukewarmness?<br><br>I would like to go to Sunday evening church more often, but I do get rides to all of the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening ones. My church is "one church, two locations," and we are in the early stages of constructing our new building, which is easily accessible from where I plan to live when I get my own apartment. When the new building is built, we will have Sunday night services there- much easier for me.<br><br>Interestingly enough, when I said I preferred not to live in a certain area because the bus route to that section did not run on Sundays, they said "You could always go to a church within walking distance." Well, I told them God wanted me at the church where I am now, and that the church they had in mind I did not get as much from. Well, they said "There are more important things about a church than whether or not you like the Bible teaching. Besides, why worry about a place you are only going to one hour a week." Excuse me? One hour a week???? No sir!!! Anyway, God has worked it out to where I will be able to stay at my church and I no longer feel like I face the obstacles I did earlier this summer, if you remember my posts (http://www.the-highway.com/cgi-bin/...&sb=3&o=0&fpart=).<br><br>Plus, working at a seminary library adds needed fellowship. It is so great to be able to work with people who share a love for Christ and a love for the study of God's truth!

Oh, but what we miss by not having pictures of Jesus in our homes. Although I am not saying we have to. I am in college and I remember growing up at a small Christian school and seeing pictures of Jesus that made me want to know him. I remember a specific picture of him knocking at the door without a knob. (We had to open it and let him in). I think it was for the "Seek Ye first" verse. And another picture with little kids sitting on his lap. I don't think it's wrong to have pictures of Jesus as long as they portray him as he really was. (Which is most pictures, since I have never seen a picture of a bad portrayal of Jesus). <br>In Christ,<br>Hannah

I know that Christ is not actually in stone or wood or anything like that. He is no way present in those things or images. I think the images though just remind us of the things Christ is or the things he did for us. I don't see what's so bad about a crucifix. Jesus isn't still on the cross, but he did die for us, the most important thing he did, the thing that allows us to be saved, to have eternal life. I'm not afraid of seeing Jesus on the cross.<br>In Christ,<br>Hannah

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]"I don't think it's wrong to have pictures of Jesus as long as they portray him as he really was."</font><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>You mean the Caucasian with long flowing brown hair, soft hands and a perfect smile? Which is pretty much every picture I've ever seen trying to portray Jesus.<br><br>[img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/puke.gif" alt="puke" title="puke[/img]<br><br>Chris

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]I don't think it's wrong to have pictures of Jesus as long as they portray him as he really was. (Which is most pictures, since I have never seen a picture of a bad portrayal of Jesus).</font><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>So, do you know what Jesus looked like?

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]I think the images though just remind us of the things Christ is or the things he did for us.</font><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>That's what the Bible, baptism, communion, and Sunday worship are for!