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) But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Jer. 10:8.

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it the molten image, and the teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols. Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. Habakkuk 2:18,19.

2) We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your years. 2 Peter 1:19.

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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3:16,17.

* So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10:17.

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