033 Pictures of Jesus - Yea or nay?

Josh discusses pictures of Jesus. According to the 2nd commandment we ought to have no graven images of God. According to other passages, like Deuteronomy 4 we ought not to make any likeness of God. Why do many Christians today have no problem with pictures of Jesus if they believe He is God?

Protestant evangelical churches today seem to take more of a Lutheran position on this as well as on public worship in general (normative vs regulative principle). Josh presents a position on images from the Reformed and Presbyterian point of view.

An example of the Reformed position from the Heidelberg Catechism:

96. What does God require in the second Commandment?

That we in no wise make any image of God,1 nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded us in His Word.2

1 Deut 4:15-19. Isa 40:18, 25. Rom 1:22-24. Acts 17:29. 2 1 Sam 15:23. Deut 12:30-32. Matt 15:9. * Deut 4:23, 24. * John 4:24.

97. May we not make any image at all?

God may not and cannot be imaged in any way; as for creatures, though they may indeed be imaged, yet God forbids the making or keeping any likeness of them, either to worship them, or to serve God by them.1

1 Exod 23:24, 25. Exod 34:13,14. Deut 7:5. Deut 12:3. Deut 16:22. 2 Kgs 18:4. * John 1:18.

98. But may not pictures be tolerated in churches as books for the people?

No, for we should not be wiser than God, who will not have His people taught by dumb idols,1 but by the lively preaching of His word.2

1 Jer 10:8. Hab 2:18,19. 2 2 Pet 1:19. 2 Tim 3:16,17. * Rom 10:17.