Episode Details

206. Can Pictures of Jesus Fool People Into Worshiping Idols? | with Jenneth Dyck

Published 2 years, 3 months ago

Description

Happy post-Resurrection Sunday! How did that go at your church? Did you see any Easter pageants? Pictures on the bulletin showing nail-scarred hands, or a shadowy figure exiting a tomb surrounded by light? And what about the Jesus-like hero in your favorite fantastical story? Could these images fool some people into sins like worshiping an imposter Jesus?

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Introducing guest Jenneth Dyck

Graphic designer Jenneth Dyck is a dyslexic writer and illustrator who creates professional book covers for indie authors and small press publishers. She also thinks way too deeply about superhero movies, quantum physics, angels, and the fourth dimension. She holds degrees in professional writing and digital media with an M.A. in graphic design.

1. What kinds of pictures of Jesus do we make?

Going back to antiquity: earliest image was by haters in the first century.
By the third century people were making images meant to honor Him.
Source: Aleteia (a Catholic website), The six oldest images of Jesus, 2018
In modern times, we see mocking images, for sure. e.g. “Buddy Christ.”
But we see respectful treatments, like film dramatizations of the gospels.
Stephen’s favorites include The Gospel of John (2003) and Risen (2016).
And of course there’s the blockbuster multi-season drama The Chosen.
In these films and shows, actors portray Jesus, so we see mainly humans.
But at holidays like Christmas and Easter, Jesus pictures really come out.
Christmas: we see Him mainly in His weakness, as a newborn infant.
Easter: we see Him in weakness, a suffering servant, then as risen Man.
We don’t have yet a holiday for Christ triumphant, returned to reign!
A key point: each image captures Jesus at particular times in history.
They are indeed limited, just as people saw Him “limited” at the time.

2. Why do some Christians claim these are ‘2CV’?

“2CV” means “Second Commandment violation,” seen oft in interwebs.
People use this, sincerely or sarcastically, to critique picture