I dont want this to be a war over other peoples interpretation of the 2nd comandment. Though a good topic, thats not the point of this thread.
Since we have no idea of exactly what Jesus looked like, is it ok to hang up a picture of just about any human and say its Jesus? It is my opinion that we are gukity of trying to make God into our image.

Is it approprate for folks to pick and choose an image they want to associate with Christ and just go with it?

Also where did we get the skinny long haired white Jesus image from and why is it the most widely accepted?

What we know about Christ.
1 Was a Jew in middle Eastern region from bloodlines going back thousands of years in that region and africa.
2 Short hair was the common hairstyle of the area and time.
3 He was not the most attractive man,  Isaiah 53 - christian interpretation
4 He had to be pointed out in the crowd, its not like they could have said , "its the long haired white guy", because if that were the case, no pointing would have been needed.

I am not going to condemn anyone who does this practice, just wondering what your thoughts as far as defence of or against the practice were.

ok, what's the point of the thread then, to google and post images of Christ?

nevermind, got it.

I think across the ages people made images of christ that mostly looked lke the people of their own nationality/race

CaptainPooby looks like Jesus to me.  Seriously...he does.

What we know about Christ.
1 Was a Jew in middle Eastern region fro bloodlines going back thousands of years in that region and africa.
2 Short hair was the common hairstyle of the area and time.
3 He was not the most attractive man, nothing to remark at yet not ugly enough to stick out.
4 He had to be pointed out in the crowd, its not like they could have said , its the long haired white guy, because if that were the case, no pointing would have been needed.

I am not going to condemn anyone who does this practice, just wondering what your thoughts as far as defence of or against the practice were.

_______________________________________________________________

As a Christian in a previous life, a Jew now, biblical scholars don't even have the answers to these questions...though my wife likes what she thinks of as my "good looks", so I'll vote against your point #3.  

Ed

The only description of Him we are given is in Revelation.  

As for His physical appearance during His earthly ministry, I think there is a reason no description or pictures exist.  In our human nature we would probably start making statues and other images like the pagans did with their "gods."  How can the infinite, omnipotent, omniscient Creator be rendered in a statue?

I would say it's a safe bet that whatever popular picture or statue you've seen representing Him, He didn't look anything like it.

Jesus' actual physical features are not mentioned in scripture, save that He had a beard and that He was a carpenter, meaning that Jesus was probably physically quite strong. (Carpentry was hard work with no power tools...)

Aside from that, scripture tells us very little about His fleshly appearance. Interpretation of His visage is just that, and has been colored by societal interpretations and ideas, as well as by the Shroud of Tourin.

Jesus' looks are really quite un-important, but I must admit that my mental picture of Him is indeed formed by all the little portraits seen in Sunday School class.

Personally, I don't care for crucifixes, or artists rendering of Jesus,a nd all teh religious clap trap.

But I don't lose sleep over it.

I get more righteously indignant that they picture the Christ like some anorexic, 98 lb weakling faggot effeminate girlie man.

Both of His time on this earth, and His imminent return, Scripture pictures the Lord as (Lord forgive me) rather kick ass.

The phrase "we are created in the image of God" means we have God inside of us and that we also have the ability to create.  YMMV.


I have an old tapistry of Jesus on my wall.  It is from an old Catholic Church.  I know it isn't an ACCURATE repressentation of Jesus, but when I see it I am reminded to  pray.

Sgatr15

I thought this thread was going to be about the Magic Jesus Toast on Ebay or something.

Nobody fucks with the Jesus!
oh wrong Jesus