By the Living Preaching of His Word


Q. But may images not be tolerated in the churches as “books for the unlearned"? 

  • No, for we should not be wiser than God. 
He wants His people to be taught NOT by means of dumb images...

Jeremiah 10:8 

  • But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine. 
Habakkuk 2:18-20 

  • What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, the molded image, a teacher of lies, that the maker of its mold should trust in it, to make mute idols? 
  • Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet in it there is no breath at all. 
  • But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.

...but by the living preaching of His Word.

Romans 10:14-15 

  • How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 
  • And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:17 

  • So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 

  • All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 
  • that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 
2 Peter 1:19 

  • And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 35

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