House Church Talk - Visualizing Christ

[Kenneth C. Vendler]

I think that any attempts at visulaizing Christ, as far as what he looked
like, are absolutely wrong and are to be eschewed as evil.

First of all, God forbids us to make images of "human beings or birds or
four-footed animals or reptiles" for devotional purposes. This, even if it
is of Jesus of Nazareth, is expressly verbotten. Secondly, it introduces a
false mode of interaction/mediation with the Father. Jesus Christ is the one
mediator and any image of Him, whether mental or concrete is an obstruction
to learning the true Christ. "Where two or three are gathered in my name"
becomes circumvented by the fallen and depraved imagination of man.

There is no mental image you can make of Jesus that will do him justice and
I would urge you to *not* do it.

Kenneth and Kerrie Vendler
Florence, KY
http://www.amarantus.us

"Some people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their
prejudices." attributed to William James


----- Original Message -----
From: "Phillip Cohen" <spiritfilledhome at juno.com>
To: <House Church Talk  at housechurch.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 5:11 AM
Subject: House Church Talk -  Visualizing Christ


> Dear Saints,
>
> I've started an audio/video course that helps me develop a more positive
> self-image. Very good program.
>
> No, I'm not looking for a debate over whether this type of program is
> right or wrong. Read on . . .
>
> The course recommends that I spend 20 minutes 3 times a day relaxing and
> visualizing myself becoming like the people I admire. Well, here's the
> problem . . .
>
> I really want to be like Jesus. But I'm having a hard time visualizing
> Him. I'm realizing now that for all the years I've been reading the
> Bible, I've processed the words, but come short on visualizing Him. Sure,
> I enjoy visualizing the events in the Bible. That's fun, imagining them
> as though they were happening right now.
>
> But visualizing Jesus? There are so many false Christs, I'm afraid my
> imagination will just fabricate another false Christ.
>
> I'm stuck. Can you help me? Have you successfully created an image of
> Jesus in your mind that helps you and is accurate with the Bible?
>
> An upbeat, inspiring discussion on this topic would be very refreshing.
>
> Thanks,
> Phillip
> spiritfilledhome at juno.com
> God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
> 1 John 4:16
>
>
>