Friday, June 24, 2011  Biblical Evidence for Worship of God Via
an Image (Pillar of Cloud, Burning Bush)  Sometimes we miss
things in the Bible, though they are right in front of us. Some
of our Protestant brethren (mainly Calvinists but some other
denominations as well) have an almost obsessive fear of any
image associated with worship at all, thinking that all such
manifestations are examples of idolatry and undue exaltation of
a "graven image". This has led some fanatical elements to oppose
even crucifixes and statues of Christ as idols. In other words,
all images whatsoever are collapsed in this wrongheaded
mentality into the category of the "graven image" in the Ten
Commandments.  But the Bible doesn't take this view at all. Here
is one striking example:   Note that the pillar of cloud is:
2) visual, hence an image;   3) thought to directly represent
God Himself.   It's also a supernatural manifestation, which is
a major difference compared to any true idol made by the hands
of men; but that would make