Stump the Priest: Did the Early Church Venerate Icons?

Fr. John Whiteford's News, Comments, & Reflections ^ | 12-31-2015 | Fr. John Whiteford

[NRx]

An Iconoclast removing an icon of Christ

Question: "Isn't the fact that there were controversies over icons well into the 9th century proof that the early Church did not venerate icons?"

There were indeed controversies at various times, most notably the Iconoclastic controversies of the 8th and 9th centuries, but these controversies were primarily focused on the question of whether one could have icons at all. Even the iconoclasts did not object to the veneration of the Cross, or other holy objects. Their problem with icons was that they considered them inherently objectionable, regardless of whether they were being venerated or not. In fact, there was never any movement of Christians that accepted iconography, but rejected their veneration, prior to the Protestant Reformation.

It is a matter of fact, only 30 years prior to the first iconoclastic controversy, icons were not a controversial issue, as is shown by the the fact that the Quinisext Council issued a canon about the content of certain icons, that shows no hint of the making of icons being a matter of any controversy:

"In some of the paintings of the venerable Icons, a lamb is inscribed as being shown or pointed at by the Forerunner's finger, which was taken to be a type of grace, suggesting beforehand through the law the true lamb to us Christ our God. Therefore, eagerly embracing the old types and shadows as symbols of the truth and preindications handed down to the Church, we prefer the grace, and accept it as the truth in fulfillment of the law. Since, therefore, that which is perfect even though it be but painted is imprinted in the faces of all, the Lamb who taketh away the sin of the world Christ our God, with respect to His human character, we decree that henceforth he shall be inscribed even in the Icons instead of the ancient lamb: through Him being enabled to comprehend the reason for the humiliation of the God Logos, and in memory of His life in the flesh and of His passion and of His soterial death being led by the hand, as it were, and of the redemption of the world which thence accrues" (Canon LXXXII of the Quinisext Council).

And it is also a fact that archaeological evidence shows the ubiquity of Christian iconography going back to the catacombs. Clearly those who objected to iconography were outside of the Christian mainstream. What made icons controversial in the 8th and 9th centuries was the rise of Islam, and the desire of the iconoclastic emperors to bring those who had converted to Islam back into the Christian fold -- and icons were seen as an obstacle to this. It is also not coincidental that the iconoclastic emperors all came from parts of the empire in which Islam had made significant inroads.

Furthermore, a closer look at the texts of Scripture show that the Israelites had extensive iconography in both the Tabernacle and then later in the Temple. You find images of cherubim:

• On the Ark -- Exodus 25:18
• On the Curtains of the Tabernacle -- Exodus 26:1
• On the Veil of the Holy of Holies -- Exodus 26:31
• In the Sanctuary -- 1 Kings 6:23
• On the Walls -- 1 Kings 6:29
• On the Doors -- 1 Kings 6:32
• And on the furnishings -- 1 Kings 7:29,36

When you add all these references together, it is clear that there were Icons everywhere you turned in Israelite worship.

But some will object: "Isn't bowing before an icon and kissing it forbidden by the Second Commandment?" The issue with respect to the 2nd commandment is what does the word translated "graven images" mean? If it simply means carved images, then the images in the temple would be in violation of this Commandment. Our best guide, however, to what Hebrew words mean, is what they meant to Hebrews -- and when the Hebrews translated the Bible into Greek, they translated this word simply as "eidoloi", i.e. "idols." Furthermore the Hebrew word pesel is never used in reference to any of the images in the temple. So clearly the reference here is to pagan images rather than images in general.

Let's look at what the Second Commandment actually says:

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (i.e. idol), or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor shalt thou serve (worship) them..." (Exodus 20:4-5).

Now, if we take this as a reference to images of any kind, then clearly the cherubim in the Temple violate this command. If we limit this as applying only to idols, no contradiction exists. Furthermore, if this applies to all images -- then even the picture on a driver's license violates it, and is an idol. So either every Protestant with a driver's license is an idolater, or Icons are not idols.

Leaving aside, for the moment, the meaning of "graven images" lets simply look at what this text actually says about them. You shall not make x, you shall not bow to x, you shall not worship x. If x = image, then the Temple itself violates this Commandment. If x = idol and not all images, then this verse contradicts neither the Icons in the Temple, nor Orthodox Icons.

Abraham bowed himself before the people of Hebron (Genesis 23:7, 12); Joseph's brothers bowed before him (Genesis 42:6; 43:26, 28); and many other examples could be cited that show that bowing was an expression of respect, and bowing to idols is only objectionable because the object in question is in fact an idol, an image of a false deity. And kissing holy things is a very common act of devotion among Jews to this day (see: Kissing: An Act of Religious Devotion, by Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin (From To Pray as a Jew: A Guide to the Prayer book and the Synagogue Service, (New York: Basic Books [Harper Collins], 1980), p.43f).

There is no reason we should assume that the early Christians would not likewise have bowed before and kissed holy things, like their Jewish forefathers. And icons of saints or Biblical scenes would have been given the same veneration that the texts of Scripture were given.

For more information see:

The Icon FAQ: Answers to common questions about icons (this article is especially important, and has extensive hyperlinks to other articles relevant to this question).

Stump the Priest: The Veneration of the Cross

[terycarl]

But for sake of clarity, please answer whether it is possible for someone to commit idolatry by worshipping an image of Christ, Mary, or the apostles? Do you believe it CAN happen?

of course it can, but it certainly insn't condoned by the church

[terycarl]

Huh? Think for a minute about the human idols that protestants gave their lives for ...Jim Jones....an idol, some of the televangelists...idols, the Mormans Smith...an idol

[MayflowerMadam]

Yes, those cult members followed dangerous people. What they did is no different from other cults who follow the dictates of a pope or pray to a graven image of Mary. None of it is Biblical.

[unlearner]

“They stopped their behavior when it was motivated by erroneous belief, yes.”

Unlike the supposedly infallible “church” which you promote above all else including scripture. Even though the Bible tells churches to repent, yours refuses to. It is impossible to stop this erroneous behavior when the leaders are too blind to see it is error.

[terycarl]

What is so evil about this false doctrine is that people such as yourself not only do these acts but command others to do them against God’s commands. If someone merely did these things in secret, it would be an egregious error. Doing them openly is far worse. And forcing others into taking part in these abominations is wickedness that cries to Heaven for judgment. And that judgment will come. And those who have repeatedly hardened their hearts and stopped their ears to the truth will receive the greatest judgment.

Nonsense, one does not pray to the statue or the picture, one prays to the person represented by it. I have no idea as to how strong your faith is, but mine is strong enough not to pray to $19.95 worth of plaster.

[unlearner]

“I have no idea as to how strong your faith is, but mine is strong enough not to pray to $19.95 worth of plaster.”

Mine is strong enough not to need the piece of plaster to begin with. And if I had one as a decoration or to commemorate Christ’s birth, it would be a visual symbol for people to receive the message of the Gospel, not to bow to, pray toward, or burn incense to.

If I set a nativity scene up in my yard, I would not feel compelled to say my prayers to the image of baby Jesus. Nor would I recruit others to such folly. And I certainly would not waste countless hours promoting the practice when it had been repeatedly shown from the word of God the error or at least the danger of such acts.

[terycarl]

What they did is no different from other cults who follow the dictates of a pope or pray to a graven image of Mary. None of it is Biblical.

The Pope is basically the head of a large organization, we need not follow his dictates unless he speaks on matters of faith and morals....In history, he has done this twice.. When Pope Francis speaks his mind on global warming, no person in the world is required to follow him at all.....No Catholic that I have ever heard of prays TO a graven image and the Catholic church decides what is and isn't biblical, no other person or organization has the authority to do so.

[terycarl]

Even though the Bible tells churches to repent, yours refuses to. It is impossible to stop this erroneous behavior when the leaders are too blind to see it is error.

It isn't!

[terycarl]

If I set a nativity scene up in my yard, I would not feel compelled to say my prayers to the image of baby Jesus. Nor would I recruit others to such folly. And I certainly would not waste countless hours promoting the practice when it had been repeatedly shown from the word of God the error or at least the danger of such acts.

Me too...where do you get the idea that Catholics worship their nativity scenes, we have had ours for over 50 years and I wrap it in tissue and store it with the rest of our Christmas stuff in a plastic tote ...it is a collectors set, quite valuable, but just figurines made out of who knows what.

[terycarl]

Unlike the supposedly infallible “church” which you promote above all else including scripture. Even though the Bible tells churches to repent, yours refuses to. It is impossible to stop this erroneous behavior when the leaders are too blind to see it is error.

The Catholic church had 1,600 years to repent, and did so several times. The leaders are not in error, nor have they ever been in matters of faith and morals......procedures, yes....biblical teachings and faith, no.

[unlearner]

“The leaders are not in error, nor have they ever been in matters of faith and morals......procedures, yes....biblical teachings and faith, no.”

Would those “procedures” including whether men like William Tyndale should be burned at the stake or some other manner? So burning men at the stake is perfectly consistent with biblical teaching?

[crumudgeonous]

We tell people in the Church to repent all the time, but the Church is the Body of Christ, and Christ is its head. The gates of hell cannot prevail against it, and so the Church is infallible by virtue of the fact that it is Christ’s body and is guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures tell us that the Church is the pillar and ground of the Truth.

[Iscool]

Where did God forbid us from bowing before or kissing the texts of Scripture?

And yet Catholics don't do that...If ever there was anything worthy to be venerated it is the written words that God spoke...You guys don't mess with that tho...

And while we have a command against bowing before idols (and also making them, or worshiping them), there is no command in the Old Testament or the New against bowing before or kissing a sacred image.

That's because there are no sacred images in the bible to bow down to or kiss...

In fact, the Bible commanded the Israelites to bow before the Ark, and that had two images on it.

Do you know why??? The bible tells you why they did this...You don't know???

[Iscool]

Idolatry and veneration are different. We venerate saints but do not adore/worship them. We adore only God.

venerate: great respect; reverence; "the traditional veneration of saints"

Getting on your knees to pray to a statue and asking that statue or whatever that statue is supposed to represent to answer and fulfill your prayers to that statue is not veneration or reverence...

When you have a 21 gun salute at the funeral of a fallen soldier, THAT is veneration and reverence...

[cloudmountain]

Getting on your knees to pray to a statue and asking that statue or whatever that statue is supposed to represent to answer and fulfill your prayers to that statue is not veneration or reverence...
Isn't that up to GOD to decide the motives of the person praying? Or do YOU decide on who is and who is not in the "correct" position to pray.
I always thought that God hears my prayers no matter where I am or whether I'm on bended knee or walking along the beach...or even if I am kneeling before a statue.
It's God's call, not yours. No disrespect to your opinion, of course.

When you have a 21 gun salute at the funeral of a fallen soldier, THAT is veneration and reverence...
Yes, it is.
I also think that PRAYING for a fallen soldier is just as efficacious.
One MIGHT even give to soldiers' memorial funds and/or help that widow and her family. There are many things to do to help the family of the fallen soldier.
I'm sure the widow appreciates the 21-gun salute, but she may also appreciate a personal visit, a letter, a phone call or some such tangible event.

[unlearner]

“We tell people in the Church to repent all the time... so the Church is infallible...”

The true Church is made up of the people in the Church— nothing more, nothing less. But you seem to think it is something else, or otherwise your statement appears to contradict itself.

What does your Church consist of? And how can people in the Church need repentance and the Church not need repentance?

[Iscool]

Isn't that up to GOD to decide the motives of the person praying? Or do YOU decide on who is and who is not in the "correct" position to pray.

There is no correct position to pray to anyone other than God...

I always thought that God hears my prayers no matter where I am or whether I'm on bended knee or walking along the beach...or even if I am kneeling before a statue.

Only if you are praying to God...When you are praying to a statue which is not God and asking that the statue or the person the statue represents fulfill your prayers, provide salvation or grace or heal you God does not hear your prayers...Jesus said come boldly to the throne of grace to pray and get your prayers answered...That is the throne of God...He's the only one with the throne...

It's God's call, not yours. No disrespect to your opinion, of course.

Yes it is...And God has spoken on the issue numerous times in the scriptures...I'm just reminding you guys again...

[cloudmountain]

There is no correct position to pray to anyone other than God...Only if you are praying to God...When you are praying to a statue which is not God and asking that the statue or the person the statue represents fulfill your prayers, provide salvation or grace or heal you God does not hear your prayers...Jesus said come boldly to the throne of grace to pray and get your prayers answered...That is the throne of God...He's the only one with the throne...Yes it is...And God has spoken on the issue numerous times in the scriptures...I'm just reminding you guys again...

I'm not one of the guys. I'm one of the gals, if you don't mind.

[terycarl]

Yes, those cult members followed dangerous people. What they did is no different from other cults who follow the dictates of a pope or pray to a graven image of Mary. None of it is Biblical.

The Pope is the titular head of the Church and we are obliged to follow his dictates when he speaks ex cathedra, on matters of faith and morals.He has done so twice that I know of....otherwise he is just a learned and wise theologian whose words are worthy of consideration. No one that I know of ever prays to a graven image of Mary and of course that would be improper.....you can buy a nice statue of Mary for $19.95 and it is made of plaster and has no power to do anything.

[crumudgeonous]

I am not a Roman Catholic. I don’t know about them, but the clergy venerate the Gospels several times at just about every service. The people venerate the Gospels at Sunday Matins.

The Israelites bowed before the Ark because it was the footstool of God’s feet. That’s what the Bible tell us.