Too bad he's wrong. Any MAKING of a physical depiction of God/Christ is a violation of the second commandment. Any.
Well, I could start out by suggesting that in the Incarnation, God Himself has made a physical depiction of Himself (Col 2:9). This would in fact be consistent with the understanding that through Christ the Law has fulfilled its purpose and is at an end (at least in regard to how it serves as a means of obtaining righteousness before God) (Col 2:14).
The issue at hand, however, is whether or not God's people are prohibited from the making of a physical depiction of God or Christ. A quick check of several commentaries (just the ones in my computer database) suggests that this would be an erroneous interpretation. The first quote below, is from a very technical commentary which crawls through the Hebrew in depth. The others are from sources well accepted in the evangelical (or conservative) community. For those of you for whom this goes way beyond your level of interest, I understand and beg your indulgent forgiveness, but as a seminary graduate and former pastor this pulls my "Chatty Kathy" cord and I cannot resist.
Ex 20:4-6
It is not only evident from the context that the allusion is not to the making of images generally, but to the construction of figures of God as objects of religious reverence or worship, but this is expressly stated in v. 5; so that even Calvin observes, that "there is no necessity to refute what some have foolishly imagined, that sculpture and painting of every kind are condemned here." With the same aptness he has just before observed, that "although Moses only speaks of idols, there is no doubt that by implication he condemns all the forms of false worship, which men have invented for themselves."
(from Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Ex 20:3-7
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
The First Commandment. This is more than just a proclamation of monotheism. It prohibits worshiping or honoring anything before God, in thought or word or deed, "that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Col 1:18). 4-6. The Second Commandment. This prohibits the creation and use of graven images as objects of worship. But more essentially, it is a reminder that God is a Spirit, not to be conceived of as made in man's image or in that of any other created being. Visiting the iniquity (v. 5). The results of sin are seen to affect three or four generations, but God's mercy extends unto thousands. "He does not say He will be faithful or just toward the keepers of His law, but merciful" (Calvin). Them that love me (v. 6). "The fountain and origin of true righteousness is expressed, for the external observation of the law would be of no avail unless it flowed from hence" (Calvin). 7. The Third Commandment. This prohibits the use of God's name "in the service of unbelief and lying" (KD). To substantiate our falsehood by an appeal to God will bring certain judgment. Here also may be found force for the injunction to Christians to "walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye were called" (Eph 4:1), i.e., bear not the name of Christ in vain.
"The first commandment then guards the unity of God, the second His spirituality, and the third His deity or essence. In the first we are forbidden to make God one of many when He is the only One; in the second to liken Him to a corruptible image when He is the incorruptible Spirit; in the third to identify Him in any way with the creature when He is the Creator" (James Murphy, Commentary on Exodus, in loc.).
(from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1962 by Moody Press. All rights reserved.)
Ex 20:1-11
[1.] The Jews (at least after the captivity) thought themselves forbidden by this commandment to make any image or picture whatsoever. Hence the very images which the Roman armies had in their ensigns are called an abomination to them (Matt 24:15), especially when they were set up in the holy place. It is certain that it forbids making any image of God (for to whom can we liken him? Isa 40:18,15), or the image of any creature for a religious use. It is called the changing of the truth of God into a lie (Rom 1:25), for an image is a teacher of lies; it insinuates to us that God has a body, whereas he is an infinite spirit, Hab 2:18. It also forbids us to make images of God in our fancies, as if he were a man as we are. Our religious worship must be governed by the power of faith, not by the power of imagination. They must not make such images or pictures as the heathen worshipped, lest they also should be tempted to worship them. Those who would be kept from sin must keep themselves from the occasions of it.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
Me, again. If your personal faith is challenged by the creation and existence of "Touchdown Jesus" or any other form of representation of our Lord, perhaps you could at least refrain from suggesting that others who do not share your interpretation are heathens and idolatrous. Thanks.
