Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church has been accused of changing the second of the Ten Commandments, which prohibits the creation of graven images or idols. The Catholic Church's numbering scheme differs from the Protestant scheme, combining coveting a neighbour's wife and coveting other possessions into a single commandment. This difference in enumeration has led to accusations that the Catholic Church altered or omitted the second commandment to justify the use of statues and icons in worship. However, the Church denies altering the commandments and considers the veneration of sacred images as respectful, not adoration due to God alone. The interpretation of the commandment regarding graven images is a matter of ongoing debate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's alleged removal of the Second Commandment | To justify the worship of statues and idols |
| To avoid the prohibition against making "any likeness of anything" | |
| To hide the "no graven images" command | |
| Catholic Church's alleged addition of the Second Commandment | To expand the 10th commandment to include two separate commandments of no coveting |
| Catholic Church's view on the Second Commandment | The Second Commandment is grouped with the First Commandment |
| The Second Commandment prohibits the use of God's name in vain | |
| The Second Commandment prohibits idolatry | |
| Catholic Church's view on the Sabbath | Most Christian denominations observe Sunday as the day of rest and worship, calling it the "Lord's Day" |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's interpretation of the Second Commandment
> "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth".
This commandment is often associated with the prohibition of idolatry, or the worship of anyone or anything other than God. The Catholic Church has been accused of violating this commandment due to the presence of religious imagery, statues, and representations of Biblical figures in Catholic churches. However, the Church clarifies that the honour given to these sacred images is a form of "respectful veneration" and not worship, which is due only to God. This distinction between veneration and worship is an important aspect of the Catholic interpretation of the Second Commandment.
The use of religious imagery in the Old Testament, such as in the tabernacle, the temple, and the ark of the covenant, is also cited as evidence that God does not prohibit all forms of sacred art. Additionally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church enumerates specific violations of the commandment, including superstition, polytheism, sacrilege, atheism, and practices of magic and sorcery. It also prohibits astrology, palm reading, and consulting horoscopes or mediums.
The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 addressed the controversy over the veneration of icons and statues, concluding that it was not a violation of the Second Commandment. This council affirmed that "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it". The distinction between veneration and worship is further emphasised by Catholic practices, such as genuflecting only when the Eucharist is present, and not towards images or statues.
Furthermore, the Catholic interpretation of the Second Commandment also extends beyond idolatry. It is associated with the virtue of religion and governs the use of speech in sacred matters, particularly respecting and honouring God's name. The Second Commandment calls for reverence for God's name, which was treated with utmost respect by the Hebrews, who substituted it with "Adonai" or "Lord". Modern Jews continue this custom by writing "G-d" instead of the full spelling.
In summary, the Catholic Church interprets the Second Commandment as prohibiting idolatry and the worship of anyone or anything other than God. It also emphasises respectful veneration of sacred images, distinguishes between worship and veneration, and addresses the proper use of God's name in speech and sacred matters.
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The Second Commandment and idolatry
The Second Commandment, as recorded in Exodus 20:4-6, prohibits idolatry, or the worship of anything or anyone other than God. This includes the worship of pagan gods, angels, saints, and all forms of idolatry such as superstition, polytheism, sacrilege, atheism, and practices of magic and sorcery. The commandment states:
> "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them."
The Catholic Church has been accused of changing the Second Commandment by omitting the prohibition against making "any likeness of anything", which is seen as a condemnation of statues and religious icons. However, the Church argues that this is a misunderstanding and that the "honor paid to sacred images is a 'respectful veneration', not the adoration due to God alone". The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 supported the use of icons and statues, stating that "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it."
The Second Commandment is particularly relevant in modern times, where materialism and success are often equated with happiness. People can become dependent on worldly pursuits such as relationships, substances, money, or entertainment to meet their emotional needs, effectively making them idols. Idolatry can also be seen in the form of addictions and the desire for power, money, and material possessions.
It is important to note that the Catholic and Protestant versions of the Ten Commandments differ, and the Second Commandment in the Protestant tradition may be combined with coveting your neighbor's wife, which is considered the ninth commandment in the Catholic faith.
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The Second Commandment and graven images
The Second Commandment, as written in Exodus 20:4, states: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth". This commandment is often associated with the prohibition of idolatry, or the worship of anything or anyone other than God.
The Catholic Church has been accused of altering the Second Commandment to justify the use of statues and religious icons in worship. Some argue that the Church combined the commandment against graven images with the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me", to hide the prohibition and allow for the veneration of statues and icons.
However, the Catholic Church denies altering the Second Commandment. They argue that the honour paid to sacred images is a 'respectful veneration', not worship, and that the Bible does not forbid the making of statues. The Church also points out that God commands or praises the creation of images and statues in multiple biblical texts, such as Exodus 25:18, Numbers 21:8-9, and 1 Kings 6:23-28.
The dispute over the use of religious icons, also known as iconoclasm, dates back to the 8th century and was largely confined to the Eastern Church. The Western Church, including the Catholic Church, consistently supported the veneration of icons and statues, and this position was affirmed by the Second Council of Nicaea in 787.
The numbering and division of the Ten Commandments differ between Catholic and Protestant traditions, which has contributed to the perception of alterations. However, the content of the commandments remains largely the same across traditions, with variations due primarily to differing translations.
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The Second Commandment and the Sabbath
The Catholic Church has been accused of changing the Second Commandment, which prohibits the making of "graven images", to justify the worship of statues and idols. However, the Church denies altering the Commandments and attributes the discrepancy to a difference in tradition between Catholics and Protestants. According to the Catholic Church, the honour paid to sacred images is a 'respectful veneration', not worship. This position was supported by the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which stated that "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it".
The Second Commandment, as referenced by those outside the Catholic Church, is based on Exodus 20:4, which states: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth". This commandment is interpreted as prohibiting the creation of statues or idols, which some believe the Catholic Church condones.
In Catholic theology, the Second Commandment is associated with the prohibition of idolatry, which is defined as the worship of anything or anyone other than God. This includes the worship of power, money, materialism, sports, and other forms of false gods. The Catechism of the Catholic Church enumerates specific violations, including superstition, polytheism, sacrilege, atheism, magic, sorcery, astrology, and consulting horoscopes or mediums.
The Sabbath, or the Lord's Day, is observed by Catholics and many other Christian denominations on Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection, rather than the Judaic practice of observing it on Saturday. This practice dates back to the first century and is based on the belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. The Didache, an early Christian text, calls on Christians to come together on the Lord's Day to break bread and give thanks.
The change from Saturday to Sunday as the day of rest and worship has been attributed by some to Roman Emperor Constantine, who is said to have changed the Sabbath day to the veneration day of the Sun, a pagan tradition. However, it is important to note that the Catholic Church does not consider Sunday as a new Sabbath but rather as the "Lord's Day", a day dedicated to worship and rest in remembrance of Jesus' resurrection.
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The Second Commandment and the Council of Nicaea
The Catholic Church has been accused of omitting the second commandment, which states: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" (Exodus 20:4). This accusation claims that the Church wanted to hide the prohibition on having statues in churches. However, the Church refutes this accusation, arguing that the honour given to sacred images is a 'respectful veneration', distinct from the adoration reserved solely for God.
The Second Council of Nicaea, convened in 787 AD, addressed this issue. The council determined that the veneration of icons and statues did not violate the commandment, stating, "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it." This decision was influenced by the understanding that most people at the time could not read, so they relied on visual aids like statues and icons for religious instruction.
The Second Council of Nicaea was summoned as an ecumenical council to address the controversy surrounding the use of religious icons and statues in the Eastern Church. The Iconoclasts, who wished to prohibit icons, clashed with the Iconodules, who supported their veneration. The Western Church consistently backed the Iconodules, and the Second Council of Nicaea's decision aligned with their position.
The council was convened by Empress Irene, acting as regent for her son, Emperor Constantine VI, who was still a minor. They urged Pope Hadrian I to attend or send legates, and the council was presided over by Patriarch Tarasius. The council dealt with various matters, including the cult of sacred images, the intercession of saints, and the doctrinal definition, resulting in the proclamation of 22 canons.
The Second Council of Nicaea's decision on the veneration of images highlights the distinction between respectful veneration and adoration due solely to God. This distinction is crucial in understanding the Catholic Church's interpretation of the second commandment and its stance on sacred images.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church has not altered the Ten Commandments of God. The Church has not dropped the "Second Commandment" as some allege. The Catholic numbering scheme may differ from the Protestant numbering scheme, but this is due to a difference in tradition and not an alteration of God's Commandments.
The Second Commandment is: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth".
Catholics are sometimes accused of worshipping images, in violation of the Second Commandment. However, the Church says this is a misunderstanding. The honor paid to sacred images is a 'respectful veneration', not the adoration due to God alone.
The Catechism associates the Second Commandment with the theological virtue of faith, instructing Catholics to believe in God and avoid heresy, apostasy, and schism.
