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They were artistic depictions of persons, places and things. Some of those persons were good; others were scoundrels. Cartoon characters are also depictions of persons. We can debate the artistic preferences of representational art versus impressionistic art versus "cartoon" art, but I see no qualitative difference among the various forms. The Bible is quite silent on art. The second commandment appears to proscribe sculpture; but then at other times men were commanded to make sculpture (the bronze snake, the cherubs over the ark of the covenant). Some interpret the 2nd commandment as forbidding all representational art including photographs, but this position is taken by only a small minority. I see no guidance in the Bible on caricatural art. Adventists tend to eschew permanent displays of representational art in the churches (i.e. no crosses), but other religious art (felts, photos, illustrations for books) has long been part of our tradition. The most widely circulated edition of Steps to Christ from my youth had cover art depicting an image of Jesus standing next to the UN office tower in Manhattan. When it comes to art, be it visual or auditory (i.e. music), I see no Biblical texts extolling the virtue of hymns over the "praise chorus" nor do I see any Biblical texts favouring one form of visual art over another.

HCH said in the quote below: The Bible is the ultimate judge as to what is true. Nothing else can establish truth. The fact that the Bible may establish one position as truth, does not mean that the reverse is established. There must be a clear Biblical statement as to what is truth. I am not aware of any Biblical statement to the effect that a year can represent a 24-hour day in time. HCH's statement above is a good example of him going beyond what the Bible says and of reading his own agenda into the Bible and the lack of Biblical foundation for much of what HCH proclaims.

I have no problems with hymnals; but I think that's because I'm old. I grew up with hymnals. IMHO many of the 75% of the population that is younger than I am relate more to screens than hymnals. What are we gonna put in a new hymnal - the same songs that are in the old hymnal or a bunch of 7/11 songs (7 words repeated 11 times)? Who will decide?