La Leçon de catéchisme (Catechism Lesson), 1890, by Jules-Alexis Muenier (1863-1942), oil on canvas, Musée des beaux-arts et d’archéologie de Besançon

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and reverence.”

cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16

catechesis

A daily morsel of Catholic education and faith formation.

Statues

Idol worship?

QUESTION OR COMMON OBJECTION:

Exodus 20:4 forbids making the likeness of anything in heaven or on earth.

CATHOLIC ANSWER:

God forbids making images to be worshiped. He didn’t forbid all images in general. In fact, images were used in His Temple.

… on its panels, he carved cherubim, lions and palm trees.”

1 Kings 7:36

If God forbade all images, you couldn’t sculpt figures or draw pictures of birds, fish, or anything. If God forbade all images, our non-Catholic Protestant friends couldn’t wear cross necklaces, have crosses and other such religious images in their home, or display a Nativity scene during the Advent and Christmas seasons – think about it.

Other References: 1 Kings 6:23-29, Ex 25:18-19; Num 21:8-9

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catholic answers

tim staples

Tim Staples answers a caller who objects to Catholicism in part because she believes statues in churches are graven images of the sort prohibited in Exodus 20:4.

word on fire

catechism of the Catholic Church

For information about what the Catholic Church believes, answers to FAQs, and an encompassing resource addressing common objections and misconceptions non-Catholics and Catholics alike may have about the Church and what it teaches, we invite you to visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.