Image bearers

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

We are created in the image of God. This doesn't mean that we physically appear like Him, since the scriptures are clear "God is spirit, and those who worship Him worship in spirit and in truth." Indeed, it means that like God, we are spiritual beings and those who follow Jesus Christ are "created in Him to do good works."

Christ followers have used their love of Him to create images of what they believe He would have looked like, not for the sake of worshiping those images, but rather to express their love for Him. There are beautiful depictions of Jesus Christ showing Him in every shade and appearance that the human race has to offer, even though Jesus was Jewish, that show in awesome contrast how He bridges the barriers that humans set up.

In Christ, we know there is no race. In Christ, there is only one family of believers and we can rejoice in our diversity. Just so, as humans we are still bound to our senses when we create things out of adoration of Him and will often create that which is familiar. As an artist, I can completely identify with this; I paint and sculpt what I know.

Currently there is a call to destroy any depiction of Christ that shows him as Eurocentric. This call is coming both from outside the fellowship of believers and from folks who claim to be within it.

On the one hand, the law of Moses forbade the creation of images for worship. As well, we are to worship in Spirit and in truth. That said, most icons are not worshiped, even though there are a few sects that may venerate them (which could be considered a form of worship). On the other hand, the modern iconoclastic calls for "social justice" when it comes to depictions of the Christ come directly from the flesh. They are attempts to sow division rather than celebrate diversity. Among the acts of the flesh mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5 are: "enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions," which are opposed to the fruit of the spirit. (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). If it doesn't fit with those things, it is not of the spirit.

In place of calling for the destruction of images of the Christ, let us instead call for the celebration of their diversity. Let us join with our brothers and sisters, "in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all..." (Colossians 3:11). We are all the same in Christ, but we are also parts of the body of Christ and different parts of the body serve different purposes and are all play a part.

Live love, pursue peace. Celebrate your brothers and sisters in Christ. Celebrate that Jesus Christ died for all mankind so that all may rejoice in Him.

May you be safe, well, and blessed.