May we not have a picture of Christ, who has a true body?…
“May we not have a picture of Christ, who has a true body? By no means; because, though he has a true body and a reasonable soul, John 1:14, yet his human nature subsists in his divine person, which no picture can represent, Psalm 45:2. Why ought all pictures of Christ to be abominated by Christians? Because they are downright lies, representing no more than the picture of a mere man: whereas, the true Christ is God-man”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that any visual depiction of Christ inevitably fails to capture his divine nature, thus such images are misleading and should be rejected by believers.
In simple terms: Pictures cannot fully represent Christ’s divine-human nature.
Key Takeaway
Avoid using images that misrepresent theological truths.
Themes
theology
iconoclasm
art
Christology
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
didactic
When to use this quote
- church teaching
- personal devotion
- educational material
- religious art criticism
Key Concepts
divine nature
human nature
representation
idolatry
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish between symbolic and literal religious art?
- Can visual media ever convey divine truths?
A Different Perspective
Faith traditions may accept symbolic art that does not claim literal representation.