EXCERPTS FROM THE DIVINE MERCY STELLA MARIS SERIES (THE USE OF IMAGES FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES)

 A DISCOURSE ABOUT THE USE OF IMAGES FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Stella Maris was walking with her friend Ikechukwu after their morning lessons.

Stella Maris: Ikechukwu

Ikechukwu: Yes, Stella Maris. What’s up?

Stella Maris: Have you heard about what we learned today?

Ikechukwu: In respect of what?

Stella Maris: About the use of images for religious purposes.

Ikechukwu: You Catholics have come again. What do you have to tell us this time, you jokers?

Stella Maris: No. Jokes apart this time, I have wonderful references from the Bible.

Ikechukwu: We don’t use the same Bible.

Stella Maris: True! The fact is the original which is the most complete Bible was compiled by those who lived with our Lord Jesus Christ in the person of the apostles of which Saint Peter who is the first Pope was one of them. However, it doesn’t matter. What I want to show you is also in your Bible.

Ikechukwu: And you think these ‘wonderful references’ of yours will convince me?

Stella Maris: It will definitely get you thinking. Without a doubt.

Ikechukwu: And that’s enough?

Stella Maris: That’s enough. A better understanding of the scriptures is a benefit to all Christians. 

Ikechukwu: Okay, then. But first, I like to think I have a decent understanding of the scriptures, so let me state my points.

In my opinion, the first commandment is clear enough on this topic, but there are many other references I can call.

For example, the book of Amos completely rejects all hypocritical religious practices, and most of what was written there still applies today.

“‘You will carry away sakkuth, your king, and kaiwan, your star god. These images which you have made for yourselves.

For I will exile you into captivity beyond Damascus,’

Says I, the LORD, the God of hosts by name.”

Even in the book of Exodus.

Stella Maris: The first commandment?

Ikechukwu: Before that. Remember why Moses broke the first stone tablets? 
Stella Maris: Yes, because the Israelites had molded a golden calf idol and started to pray to it and saying it rescued them from slavery.

Ikechukwu: Exactly! Those first commandments were written by God’s hand, yet Moses was so furious that he broke them.

And I know, I mentioned it earlier, but let me just read the first commandment for you. In case you have something different in your Bible.

Stella Maris: Okay.

Ikechukwu: “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them-”

Stella Maris: “For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but showing love down to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

Different words, but it’s the same verses I learned.

Ikechukwu: Then, how can you people blatantly disregard the very first commandment and not see the problem because you Catholics like to claim you have the fullest of faiths.

Stella Maris: “Fullness of Faith.”

Ikechukwu: Okay that’s what I believe. So, let me hear your point.

Stella Maris: Good. First, the issue of worshipping statues is a misunderstanding.

It’s a good thing to warn people about the dangers of idol worship, but it is just ignorant to accuse people of engaging in idol worship when you don’t understand their practices.

Ikechukwu: I don’t need to understand the rituals of a secret cult in order to condemn their practices.

Stella Maris: True, but the practices of secret cults are not taught by the Bible.

Ikechukwu: Worshipping of statues is not a thing the Bible teaches.

Stella Maris: True. We both agree on that. God forbids the ‘worship of statues.’

However, Catholics do not worship statues.

That is the first thing people misunderstand.

What we practice is something that is taught and used at various points in the Bible. The use of images for religious purposes.

Ikechukwu: Isn’t that the same thing?

Stella Maris: It’s not. First, let’s go back to the Book of Exodus.

Ikechukwu: Okay.

Stella Maris: If we are equating the use of images for religious purposes to idol worship, doesn’t that make Moses and the Israelites Idol worshippers?

Ikechukwu: How so?

Stella Maris: Numbers: Chapter 21 Verse 8 - 9. The bronze serpent.

Ikechukwu: You mean the brazen serpent.

Stella Maris: Apples to apples. Just read it.

Ikechukwu: “And the LORD said unto Moses, ‘Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.’ And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

Stella Maris: Isn’t that a graven image?

Ikechukwu: It’s not the same. God sent the serpents to punish the Israelites.

Only those who admit to themselves that they are sinners can be granted that healing and the brazen serpent was a symbol specifically requested by God as a symbol of saving faith.

Stella Maris: So, in essence, it was an image used for a religious purpose.

Ikechukwu: Yes, but in a specific situation and it was specifically requested by God.

Stella Maris: Okay, let’s look at a different one. Back to the book of Exodus. Chapter 25. The ark of the covenant. Almost that entire chapter is dedicated to the specific descriptions God gave to create the ark.

God himself, commanded the use of these images in religious context.

Ikechukwu: Hmmm. I never thought about it that way.

Stella Maris: The first commandment was very clear and strict about idol worship because, at the time the commandments were given, the people served a plurality of gods.

They had gods of the earth, the stars, gods under the water, and even gods they had inherited from other nations.

It’s the reason why in the Exodus Chapter 32 verse 26, Moses shouted to the Israelites “‘Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!’ All the Levites then rallied to him and he told them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Each of you put your sword on your hip! Go back and forth through the camp, from gate to gate, and kill your brothers, your friends, your neighbors!’”

Stella Maris: And he said “Israel! Here is your God, who brought you here from Egypt!”

It was a direct condemnation of the fickle beliefs of the Israelites of that time and how quick they are to fabricate or falter to a false god in times of need.

Ikechukwu: It still applies today.

Stella Maris: Of course, it does. That fickleness of belief existed all over the world which is why you’d see different religions and gods rise and change over time.

It becomes clear that God was talking of being jealous of those actions which honour other ‘gods’ aside from Himself, and spoke of the people who do so, as people who hate Him.

He could not have been jealous of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Son.

Nor would God address the followers of Jesus as those that hate Him, for He (God), and Jesus are one.

Ikechukwu: You know, there is this passage in the second letter to Thessalonians, Chapter 2. Let me show you-

Stella Maris: Yes, I remember it. “We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition do you not recall that while I was still with you, I told you these things?

And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his time.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. But the one who restrains is to do so only for the present, until he is removed from the scene.

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord [Jesus] will kill with the breath of his mouth and render powerless by the manifestation of his coming, the one whose coming springs from the power of Satan in every mighty deed and in signs and wonders that lie, and in every wicked deceit for those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved.”

Ikechukwu: Yes, it is here. “And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Ikechukwu: “- But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.”

Ikechukwu: But, how do you know the images that God approves of?

Stella Maris: It’s made clear in the Book of Exodus Chapter 32 Verses 1-34.

Stella Maris: Also, in the Book of Amos Chapter 5 Verses 26-27 and in Acts Chapter 7 Verses 42-43.

God was referring to the false gods. Those gods of the earth, moon, stars, and skies. The gods and goddesses of animals and, rivers and those that worship the devil and the demons under the earth.

Prophet Isiah also spoke against this and warned against the worship of demons through their false gods.

This is why in Exodus Chapter 20 Verses 1-2, the Lord says “I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt where you lived as slaves. You shall have no other gods, to rival me.”

Ikechukwu: I see.

Stella Maris: God is full of mysteries, but the Bible does a lot to help our understanding of His Word and His messages.

Ikechukwu: That puts things in a different light.

Stella Maris: And this is all in your Bible as well.

Ikechukwu: Hmm… This was a very interesting discussion.

Stella Maris: Can we share a prayer?

Ikechukwu: Please go ahead.

Stella Maris: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Father we thank you for this opportunity, you have given us for Christian fellowship.

We pray you to grant us and all mankind the grace to understand the holy Bible messages so that confusion which misleads many may be overcome and may all mankind come to find salvation.

Father we make this prayer through Jesus Christ your son, our Lord and God, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen.

Ikechukwu: Amen. Thank you for taking the time. That gives me a bit to think about.

Stella Maris: No problem. There are other references you can get from the Book of Psalms. Here it is made clear that God was speaking of his enemies.

For example, Psalm 16 Verse 4-5 says, “Never shall I pour libation to them, never take their names on my lips. My birth right, my cup is Yahweh. You, you alone hold my lots secure.”

Stella Maris: In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28, Verses 19-20, the last instructions our Lord Jesus Christ gave to the disciples before he ascended into heaven were, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

It’s also confirmed in some of their writings that the apostles did not put down all they were taught into writing.

In the last chapter of John’s Gospel, in verse 25 it says “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.”

It is also stated in the second and third letters of John.

In second John, verse 12, he writes, “Although I have much to write to you, I do not intend to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak face to face so that our joy may be complete.”

Stella Maris: And in John’s third letter of John, verses 13-15, “I have much to write to you, but I do not wish to write with pen and ink.

Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face.

Peace be with you. The friends greet you; greet the friends there each by name.”

This is why Saint Peter warned us not to give private interpretations to the Holy Bible’s messages, but to hold on to the interpretations handed down by the apostles.

Ikechukwu: I understand now. The true story guides the written text of the Bible through oral interpretations.

Stella Maris: Saint Paul talked about this in his second letter to the Thessalonians, Chapter 2 Verse 15, “Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.”

From his own experiences, Saint Paul imbibed the mode of the apostles who were taught directly by Jesus himself and Saint Paul also started to emphasize the need for both oral and written Christian traditions to guide against Satan’s end times deceptions.

Image Creator: FatCamera

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Copyright: FatCamera