Question:  Dear Greg,

            I have a picture on my wall depicting a longhaired version of Christ surrounded by angels in human form with large feathery wings.  Should I take this off my wall as soon as possible?  Is it idolatry?  I know that Jesus probably didn’t have long hair and angels probably don’t look like that.  My concern is that I am giving the adversary a foothold in my life just by having this picture on my wall.

            Richard

Answer:  Dear Richard,

            The picture on your wall is not idolatry unless you pray to it or that in some way you limit Jesus -- God in the flesh -- to the exact depiction.

            You seem to have misgivings about the way in which Jesus is depicted, including the long hair (the length of Jesus’ hair is not mentioned in Scripture).  On the strength of your misgivings, you may want to consider replacing the art.  Paul tells us, concluding the powerful chapter of Romans chapter 14 (not specifically about this subject), that “everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).  If your conscience is troubled, then you may wish to take appropriate steps.  That does not mean the picture itself is wrong, or sin, but that for you it is not an appropriate representation of God in the flesh.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht