On the calf/calves/cherubim issue that you have raised in comments on three different posts (two on this blog and one on the debate blog), I've started preparing an answer. Your comments raise specific factual issues, and I don't want to answer hastily.
A have a draft answer, but it's not complete.
The bottom line, obviously, is that the most obvious difference between the cherubim and the golden calf (and rebuttal to the implied argument in some of your comment) is that the former were clearly not intended to represent God, and the later was intended to represent God.
-Turretinfan
Sunday, October 28, 2007
2 comments:
Comment Guidelines:
1. Thanks for posting a comment. Without you, this blog would not be interactive.
2. Please be polite. That doesn't mean you have to use kid gloves, but please try not to flame others, even if they are heretics, infidels, or worse.
3. If you insult me, I'm more likely to delete your comment than if you butter me up. After all, I'm human. I prefer praise to insults. If you prefer insults, there's something wrong with you.
4. Please be concise. The comment box is not your blog. Your blog is your blog. If you have a really long comment, post it on your blog and post a short summary of it here.
5. Please don't just spam. It's one thing to be concise, it's another thing to simply use the comment box to advertise.
6. Please note, by commenting here, you are relinquishing your (C) in your comments to me.
7. Remember that you will give an account on judgment day for your words, including those typed in comment boxes. Try to write so you will not be ashamed if it is read back before the entire world.
8. Stay on topic. If your comment has nothing to do with the post, email it to me (my email can be obtained through my blogger profile), or simply don't post it.
9. Don't post as "Anonymous." If you are going to post anonymously, at least use some kind of recognizable "handle," so we can tell you apart from all the other anonymous folks. (This is moot at the moment, since recent abuse has forced me to turn off "anonymous" commenting.)
10. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; and abstain from doing to others what you would not wish upon yourself.
So, it's cool to have, like, cute little icons of Michael and Gabriel, or our Guardian Angel hanging `round, right? (Or of the Saints, for that matter, no?).
ReplyDeleteI perfectly understand one's need to prepare -- I did NOT mean for You to tackle the issue un-prepared ... but it's been weeks now since I've addressed that question, without getting any "Busy, Try Later" response from You ...
There's nothing inherently wrong with making representations of either imaginary or actual created things. However, making them for the purpose of worshiping them is wrong.
ReplyDeleteThus, making a representation of a calf or of the Christokos (alone) or of the fictional goddess Krishna is not wrong, but making them for the purpose of worshiping them is wrong (as is the actual act of worshiping them).
If that renders your question moot, just let me know.
-Turretinfan