Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.24413
In chapter 31 of book 2, Molanus examines a further matter regarding errors and whether they are dangerous errors and how to deal with them; this discussion starts in the preceding chapter. The central position in this chapter is taken by errors that are not real errors even though they do not correspond to the Scriptures or the teachings of the Church. The problem lays often in the fact that there is no certainty in the Scriptures about the matter nor a univocal position among the commentators. The cases presented by Molanus in the current and the previous chapter are also often relatively popular depictions among the popular devotees, which requires an even more careful stance from the authorities. For Molanus in these cases, the most important aspect to consider is whether these errors still can be probable, because if so, he does not see a strong motive to adjust or abolish them.
The first example in this chapter regards the rather well-spread iconography of Christ seated on the cold stone. Molanus states that there is no scene in the Scriptures from which this depiction can be derived, but that it is not improbable and could be drawn from a combination of passages.
“But let us give several more examples since this is our purpose. The image of Christ seated on a stone, which is frequently found in the churches, is not supported by the testimony of Holy Scripture, however, I do not doubt that it can be devoutly drawn from certain passages in all probability.”
“Sed quod nostri est instituti pluribus exemplis prosequamur. Imago Christi suer petram sedentis quae utcunque frequens est in Ecclesiis, non habet testimonium in Scriptura sacra, non dubito tamen quin alicunde et pie et probabiliter sit desumpta.”
Molanus 1996, 213.
