717-741 East v. West: Icons

The Master told me, "Go, post a lookout.
Have him report whatever he spots.
When he sees horses and wagons in battle formation,
lines of donkeys and columns of camels,
Tell him to keep his ear to the ground,
note every whisper, every rumor."
Just then, the lookout shouted,
"I'm at my post, Master,
Sticking to my post day after day
and all through the night!
I watched them come,
the horses and wagons in battle formation.
I heard them call out the war news in headlines:
'Babylon fallen! Fallen!
And all its precious god-idols
smashed to pieces on the ground.'"

(The Message Isaiah 21:9)

The Iconoclasts headed by Emperor Leo III (717-741) hard lined against Icons(Icons are artistic representation of Christ). Christ could only be represented in the Cross, and the Lord's Supper. He whitewashed common elements from representing Christianity. He did not agree with Plato's Allegory of the Cave: "a copy is a reminder of the original."

Genesis 1:26-28 Matthew Henry

"Let us make men." Man when he was made was to glory the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Into that great name were are baptized, for to that great name we ow our being. It is the soul of man that especially bears God's image... His understanding (before the fall) saw Divine things clearly and truly; there was no errors or mistakes in his knowledge; his will consented at once, and in all things, to the will of God. His affections were all regular, and he had no bad appetite or passions. His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects. Thus holy, thus happy, were our first parents in having the image of God upon them. But how is this image of God upon man defaced! May the LORD renew it upon our souls by grace! (Henry 2)

Questions for Discussion: (Answer all or the ones that strike you most).

1. Can Art represent the Gospel? (Why or why not?)

2. What type of Art represents the Gospel best?

3. Should movies be used to tell of the Gospel?

4. If we want to reach unbelievers should we show movies with moral points and not say the name Christ?