Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 19 by reading up to the heading '7. The third commandment'.
My summary
Today Hodge discusses the second commandment.
We learn:
(i) that the worship of images is forbidden;
(ii) the reasons why worship of images is forbidden;
(iii) about the use of images (and relics) in the Roman Catholic church.
What grabbed me
I thought Hodge was excellent on the comparison of Roman Catholicism and pagan religions and their similar use of images
I also appreciated this clear statement about the effects of idols: 'The moral and religious effects of image worship are altogether evil. It is enough to prove that it is evil in its consequences that God has forbidden it, and threatened to visit the worshippers of idols with his severe judgments. It degrades the worship of God. It turns off the minds of the people from the proper object of reverence and confidence, and leads the uneducated masses to put their trust in gods who cannot save.'
The focus of our worship should never be diverted away from the Lord.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 19 by reading up to the heading '8. The fourth commandment'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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