Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church has been accused of removing the Second Commandment, which prohibits the worship of graven images, to justify the presence of statues in its places of worship. However, the Church has refuted these claims, stating that the division and numbering of the Commandments have evolved over the centuries. The Catholic Church follows the Augustinian tradition, which combines the no-idols command with the command to worship only one God. Furthermore, the Church differentiates between coveting a neighbor's spouse and possessions, upholding the dignity of a wife as distinct from property. These interpretations emphasize the theological coherence of the Catholic Bible rather than the removal of any commandments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Commandments | 10 |
| Catholic Church's Position | The Catholic Church did not remove the Second Commandment. |
| Catholic Church's View | The Second Commandment is made up of two distinct commandments: one about a neighbour's spouse and one about possessions. |
| Catholic Church's Ordering of Commandments | Based on the tradition of St. Augustine. |
| Catholic Church's View on Graven Images | Graven images are not idols because no Israelite believed they were God. |
| Catholic Church's View on Statues in Places of Worship | The practice is not idolatrous. |
| Protestant View | The Catholic Church changed the Second Commandment to justify its idolatrous practice of having graven images in its places of worship. |
| Catholic Church's Response | The division and numbering of the Commandments have varied throughout the centuries. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics did not remove the 2nd commandment
The claim that Catholics removed the Second Commandment from the Bible is a common misconception. The Ten Commandments are a fundamental aspect of the Catholic Church, recognised as a moral foundation and essential for spiritual health and growth. They are considered a covenant offered by God to free the Israelites from spiritual slavery, as described in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Deuteronomy.
The Catholic Church follows a specific ordering of the commandments, based on the tradition of St. Augustine, which groups certain commands together. This grouping is not unique to Catholicism, as Jewish, Orthodox, and Reformed traditions also have their own interpretations and groupings. The division and numbering of the commandments have evolved over the centuries, and the Catholic Church's approach is consistent with this historical variation.
The Second Commandment, as referenced by some Protestants, pertains to the prohibition of making graven images. Catholics group this command with the First Commandment, emphasising the unified message of worshipping God alone. They consider the creation of statues and images in sacred spaces as distinct from idolatry, as these objects are not worshipped as idols. This interpretation is supported by various biblical texts, including Exodus 25:18-22, where God commands the creation of golden cherubim for the Ark of the Covenant.
The distinction between coveting a neighbour's wife and coveting possessions is another point of interpretation. Catholics, upholding the dignity of a wife as separate from property, split these into two commandments. This interpretation is reflected in Deuteronomy, where separate Hebrew words for "covet" and "desire" are used.
In summary, the Catholic Church did not remove the Second Commandment. They interpret and group the commandments differently, emphasising the theological coherence of the text. The presence of statues and images in Catholic spaces does not contradict the Second Commandment, as they are not worshipped as idols.
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The 2nd commandment is about the proper worship of God
The second commandment is about the proper worship of God. It is stated negatively, outlining false ways to worship God and the punishment for disobedience. However, it also gives a positive motive for worshipping God truly. The second commandment forbids the creation of images or likenesses to represent God, as well as the creation of images or likenesses of heavenly, earthly, or sea creatures as objects of worship and service. It is not a prohibition against the creation of art or aesthetic considerations.
The second commandment is about worshipping God in the right way, and it is related to the first commandment, which is about worshipping the right God. The danger of images is that people may begin to worship objects associated with God or images of God rather than God Himself. This is idolatry, which is loving and worshipping anything or anyone more than God. Idolatry can also involve worshipping the true God in a false way, such as when people worship God through something, limiting their understanding of God, and making an idol that does not represent the totality of God.
The second commandment is a reminder of the nature of God as being greater than any object in the world, and it reflects on the importance of rightly worshipping God, who cannot be confined to a place or a thing and who is exceptionally gracious and just. True spiritual worship is Christ-centred, and people do not need to make or worship images because they have the image of Jesus Christ, who is the icon of the invisible God.
The second commandment is also relevant because many people claim to be "visual learners," and they believe that some sort of image or representation of God would help them worship and learn about God. However, the history of God's people shows that this quickly turns into idolatry. Therefore, the second commandment is about the proper worship of God, warning against the dangers of idolatry and the importance of worshipping God in a way that reflects His true nature.
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The Catholic Church follows a particular ordering of the commandments
The Ten Commandments are a set of religious and moral imperatives that are recognized as a moral foundation in several Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They are first mentioned in the Book of Exodus, where Moses, acting under God's orders, frees the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Ten Commandments are considered a covenant offered by God to the Israelites to free them from the "spiritual slavery" of sin.
The Catholic Church, like other Christian denominations, follows a particular ordering of the commandments based on the tradition of St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430). This ordering is known as the Catholic enumeration. The division and numbering of the commandments have varied throughout history, and the Catholic Church's interpretation is based on preserving the integrity of the text by clustering the verses in a way that reflects theological coherence.
The Catholic version of the Ten Commandments differs from the Protestant version, with the Catholic Church combining the prohibition of coveting your neighbor's wife and goods as a single commandment. The Catholic Church also groups the commandment against idolatry with the commandment against having other gods, emphasizing the importance of worshipping God alone.
Some Protestants have accused the Catholic Church of removing or changing the second commandment, which prohibits the making of graven images, to justify the use of statues in places of worship. However, this accusation is false, as the command against idolatry is still present in the Catholic enumeration, and the use of statues in sacred spaces does not constitute idolatry.
In conclusion, the Catholic Church follows a specific ordering of the commandments based on the tradition of St. Augustine, which differs from the Protestant version but maintains the same substance. The Catholic Church has not removed or hidden the second commandment but has interpreted and grouped the commandments differently to reflect their theological understanding.
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The Old Testament does not specify how the texts should be divided
The Ten Commandments are a set of religious and moral imperatives that are recognized as a moral foundation in several Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They are first mentioned in the Book of Exodus, where Moses, acting under God's orders, frees the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Ten Commandments are considered a covenant offered by God to the Israelites to free them from the "spiritual slavery" of sin.
The Old Testament, however, does not specify how the texts should be divided to arrive at the Ten Commandments. The division and numbering of the Commandments have varied throughout history, and different religious traditions have adopted varying interpretations. The Catholic Church, for instance, follows a particular ordering of the commandments based on the tradition of St. Augustine, who modified the original order in his book "Questions on Exodus." This interpretation groups the "no idols" command with the commandment about worshipping God alone and splits the coveting commands into two: one about a neighbor's spouse and the other about possessions. This distinction upholds the dignity of a wife by differentiating her from property.
The Protestant interpretation, on the other hand, combines the prohibition of coveting a neighbor's wife and goods into a single commandment. This has led to the accusation that Catholics removed or hid the Second Commandment to justify idolatry in the form of statues in their places of worship. However, this claim doesn't hold up under scrutiny, as the command not to worship graven images is still present in Catholic doctrine. Additionally, the presence of statues in Catholic churches is not considered idolatry, as these statues are not idols but representations that uphold the dignity of the sacred figures they depict.
The debate surrounding the Second Commandment highlights the different interpretations of the Ten Commandments between Catholic and Protestant traditions. While the Old Testament does not specify the division of the Commandments, the Catholic Church's interpretation is based on the teachings of St. Augustine and emphasizes the distinction between the worship of God and the treatment of one's neighbor and their possessions.
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The Catholic Church is not guilty of idolatry
The Catholic Church has long been accused of idolatry, with some claiming that the Church's use of statues, icons, relics, and other images constitutes idolatry. The Catholic Church is said to have deleted or hidden the second commandment, which prohibits the making of graven images, from its version of the Ten Commandments. This has led to accusations that the Church is guilty of idolatry by prioritizing tradition over Bible teachings and modifying divine laws to suit its practices.
However, defenders of the Catholic Church argue that these accusations are unfounded and that the Church is not guilty of idolatry. They assert that the use of statues and icons is based on the belief that the human body is good and that all of God's creations are worthy of worship. Additionally, they claim that these visual aids facilitate worship rather than becoming objects of worship themselves.
Another point of contention is the veneration of saints and the Virgin Mary in Catholic regions. Critics argue that this constitutes idolatry, as these figures are treated as idols and given excessive devotion. However, Catholics maintain that they do not worship these figures but rather venerate them as holy individuals who serve as intermediaries between God and humanity.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the concept of idolatry can be subjective and open to interpretation. While some may view the practices of the Catholic Church as idolatrous, others may disagree, believing that their devotion is directed solely toward God. The intention and understanding of those involved play a crucial role in determining whether an act is considered idolatry.
In conclusion, while the Catholic Church has been accused of idolatry due to its use of images and veneration of saints, there are valid arguments that refute these claims. The Church's teachings and practices may differ from those of other Christian denominations, but that does not necessarily equate to idol worship. It is essential to consider the context, intentions, and theological interpretations behind these practices when assessing allegations of idolatry within the Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Catholic Church did not remove the second commandment. The Church groups the no-idols command with the command to have no other gods, creating a unified command about worshipping God alone.
Some Protestants claim that the Catholic Church changed the second commandment to justify its idolatrous practice of having graven images in its places of worship. However, the command not to worship graven images is still there.
The 2nd commandment is: "Thou shalt not make for yourself an idol nor any likeness".
