Heidelberg Catechism: 'What does God require in the second commandment?'
LORD’S DAY 35
96. What does God require in the second commandment?That we in no way make any image of God,1 nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.2
1 Deut 4:15-19; Isa 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Rom 1:23; 2 Lev 10:1-7; Deut 12:30; 1 Sam 15:22-23; Mt 15:9; Jn 4:23-24
97. May we then not make any image at all?
God may not and cannot be visibly portrayed in any way; as for creatures, though they may indeed be visibly portrayed, yet God forbids the making or keeping any likeness of them, either to worship them, or by them to serve Himself.1
1 Ex 34:13-14, 17; Num 33:52; 2 Kgs 18:4-5; Isa 40:25
98. But may not images be tolerated in churches as “books for the laity?”
No, for we should not be wiser than God, who will not have His people taught by images which cannot speak,1 but by the lively preaching of His Word.2
1 Jer 10:8; Hab 2:18-20; 2 Rom 10:14-15, 17; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pt 1:19
