Idols for Lost Souls

 

In the past, the world was immersed in idolatry, in many different forms. Some were so crass as to make statues of wood and stone, images of their perceived gods. Others used already made objects such as silver, gold, or sex as items to exalt as the center of their lives.

God addressed this in the Mosaic law, when he told the people of Israel to not make any image that was meant to be a representation of him. Because he is the uncreated Creator, there is nothing in creation that accurately represents him. This was the law for mankind until the incarnation. With the appearance of the Godman, God himself fulfilled the perfect representation of himself, Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus is fully God and fully man, man is now the image of God, as he progresses in his theosis. With the fulfillment and subsequent fading away of the Old Covenant, the New Covenant has taken its place with no prohibition of images. Since the first century, the Church has used and understood icons not as art, but as theology in picture. Those recognized as saints by believers are seen in icons as alive, as perfected, and acting as intercessors for those still in physical form.

But still, there are those who build statues of wood and stone, as representatives of their gods and there are still those who idolize gold, silver, and sex as the center and goal of their lives. These are idols for lost souls. Whatever the object may be, even ideas or concepts, it is still idolatry. Man was made in the image and likeness of God his creator. It is with the incarnation that this path is now open. Man is called to God-like with Jesus Christ as his model.

We worship God alone and are called to take dominion over the rest of creation, loving all men as made in the image of God and understanding that death is no longer to be feared, for with our physical death we move from this world into eternity, but only for a time, awaiting the final resurrection and final judgment. Death has no power over us, and we are surrounded by billions of faithful believers, both physically alive and alive in eternity. There is one Church, there is one God, and there is one command, to love, both God and one’s neighbor.