Art

Since the earliest examples of Christian visual art usually are dated to the end ofthe second century, many scholars have concluded that first-and second-century Christians generally observed the Jewish prohibition against the production or use of figurative images for religious purposes – a prohibition established by the second commandment (Exod. 20:4-5). Sometimes scholars also have attributed this supposed reticence by Christians about the making of art objects to the distinction early Christians wished to draw between themselves and their idol-worshipping neighbours, whose cult statues or religious images were understood to be the work of the demons.1 For instance, Justin Martyr cites the honouring of pagan cult images with sacrifices and floral garlands, and says that by contrast Christians know the images are lifeless, and deem it an insult to the true God to be confused with material objects that are formed or shaped by human hands (1 Apology 9.1-9). Likewise, both Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian assert the folly of idol worship and superstition – attributing to objects of wood or stone (some of them even slightly obscene), the qualities of infinite divinity. Tertullian deemed it more than bizarre to purchase one’s gods at auction – buying and selling images of Minerva – or melting down Saturn to make a cooking pot (Clement, Exhortation to the Greeks 4; Tertullian, Apologeticum 1 and On Idolatry 3 and 4). And although Tertullian explicitly cites the second commandment against the making or consecration of images, he also reminded his readers that idolatry was yet still practised, as much as in ancient times, and is associated particularly with the surrounding polytheistic culture.2