Iconolatry refers to the veneration or worship of icons, which are religious images or representations used in Christian worship, particularly within Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and some other Christian traditions. The term “iconolatry” comes from the Greek words “eikon” (icon or image) and “latreia” (worship). While icons are intended to be tools that help Christians focus their prayers and devotion, iconolatry specifically refers to the practice of worshipping these images themselves, which is considered idolatrous by many Christian traditions.
Historical Context
The Role of Icons in Early Christianity
The use of religious images in Christianity can be traced back to the early centuries of the Church. In the early Christian period, symbols like the cross, the fish, and the chi-rho were widely used as representations of faith. As Christianity spread, the use of more elaborate religious imagery, including depictions of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints, became increasingly common, particularly in the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire).
Icons were seen as windows to the divine, serving as tangible representations of spiritual truths. Early Church Fathers like John of Damascus defended the use of icons, arguing that since Christ had taken on a visible, material form in the Incarnation, it was permissible to depict Him and other holy figures in art.
The Iconoclastic Controversy
The tension surrounding the use of icons came to a head during the Iconoclastic Controversy of the 8th and 9th centuries. The controversy began when Emperor Leo III issued a decree in 726 AD ordering the removal and destruction of icons, a movement known as iconoclasm (literally, “icon-breaking”). The iconoclasts argued that the veneration of icons amounted to idolatry, which was strictly forbidden by the Bible.
The opposition to iconoclasm was strong, particularly among the monastic communities, who were major producers and defenders of icons. The conflict was not only theological but also political, with various factions within the Byzantine Empire supporting or opposing the use of icons.
The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD marked a turning point in the controversy. The council affirmed the veneration (not worship) of icons, distinguishing between latreia (worship due to God alone) and proskynesis (veneration or honor given to saints and their images). The council condemned iconoclasm as heretical and established the use of icons as an integral part of Orthodox Christian worship.
Protestant Reformation and Iconoclasm
During the Protestant Reformation, many reformers rejected the use of religious images, associating them with the idolatry they believed had corrupted the Roman Catholic Church. Reformers like Martin Luther, while not entirely opposed to religious art, advocated for a more restrained use of images in worship, emphasizing the importance of the Word of God over visual representations.
In contrast, more radical reformers like John Calvin and the Anabaptists took a stricter stance, often leading to the removal and destruction of images from churches, a practice known as iconoclasm. Calvin’s rejection of images was rooted in his interpretation of the Second Commandment, which forbids the making of graven images (Exodus 20:4-5).
The Reformation iconoclasm was driven by a desire to purify Christian worship from what was perceived as idolatrous practices. This period marked a significant shift in the use and understanding of religious imagery in many parts of Europe, with lasting effects on Protestant theology and worship.
Biblical Foundations and Theological Issues
The Second Commandment
The primary biblical text cited in discussions of iconolatry is the Second Commandment:
| “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
| —Exodus 20:4-6 (NIV)
This commandment explicitly forbids the making and worshiping of idols, which many iconoclasts interpreted as prohibiting the use of religious images altogether. The concern was that such images could easily become objects of worship, leading people away from the true worship of God.
The Incarnation and Iconography
Those who defend the use of icons often point to the Incarnation of Christ as a key theological justification. According to this view, the Incarnation—God becoming visible and tangible in the person of Jesus Christ—transforms the way Christians understand the use of images.
As John of Damascus argued, since Christ has taken on human form, it is permissible to depict Him in art. This view suggests that icons are not merely representations but are connected to the reality they depict, serving as a means through which believers can engage with the divine. The veneration of icons is seen as a way to honor the person represented, not the material image itself.
The Dangers of Iconolatry
While icons can serve as valuable tools for devotion, the danger of iconolatry—worshiping the image itself rather than God—has been a persistent concern throughout Christian history. The biblical prohibition against idolatry is clear and forceful, emphasizing that worship is to be directed to God alone.
In Deuteronomy 4:15-19, Moses warns the Israelites against making idols of any form, pointing out the risk of corrupting their worship by focusing on created things rather than the Creator:
| “You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.”
| —Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (NIV)
This passage underscores the importance of keeping worship directed toward God and not allowing any image, no matter how well-intentioned, to take His place.
Theological Balance: Veneration vs. Worship
The theological distinction between veneration (proskynesis) and worship (latreia) is crucial in addressing the issue of iconolatry. The Second Council of Nicaea affirmed that veneration of icons is permissible because it is not directed to the material object but to the person it represents. Worship, on the other hand, is reserved for God alone.
This distinction helps to safeguard against iconolatry, reminding believers that while icons can be aids in worship, they must never become the object of worship themselves. The honor given to an icon is meant to pass to the prototype—the holy person or event depicted—not to the icon as an object.
Historical Christian Perspectives
Early Church Fathers
Church Fathers like John of Damascus and Theodore the Studite were key defenders of the use of icons, particularly during the Iconoclastic Controversy. They argued that icons were important tools for teaching and devotion, helping the faithful to contemplate spiritual realities. John of Damascus, in his Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images, defended the veneration of icons, distinguishing it from idolatry by emphasizing the Incarnation and the theological significance of images.
The Reformation
The Reformation brought a renewed focus on Scripture and a critique of what reformers saw as the excesses and corruptions of the medieval Church, including the veneration of images. Martin Luther, while not completely opposed to religious art, cautioned against its misuse. John Calvin was more critical, advocating for the removal of images from worship spaces to prevent idolatry. Calvin’s views were influential in shaping the iconoclastic tendencies of Reformed and Presbyterian traditions.
Modern Perspectives
In contemporary Christianity, views on icons and religious imagery vary widely. The Eastern Orthodox Church continues to embrace the use of icons as central to its liturgical and devotional life. The Roman Catholic Church also maintains the veneration of images, particularly in the context of Marian devotion and the veneration of saints.
In many Protestant denominations, however, there remains a cautious approach to religious imagery. While not all Protestants reject the use of images, there is often an emphasis on the dangers of iconolatry and a preference for focusing worship on the Word of God rather than visual representations.
Relevance for Today’s Christian
The issue of iconolatry remains relevant for Christians today, particularly in a world where visual culture is increasingly dominant. The use of religious imagery can be a powerful tool for devotion, but it also requires careful theological discernment to ensure that worship remains directed toward God alone.
For Christians who use icons in their worship, it is important to maintain the distinction between veneration and worship, recognizing that icons are aids to prayer and contemplation, not objects of devotion in themselves. The goal is to use these images as windows to the divine, helping believers to focus their hearts and minds on God.
For those who come from traditions that are more cautious about religious imagery, the challenge is to appreciate the role that such images can play in the spiritual lives of others while maintaining a commitment to the biblical prohibition against idolatry.
Conclusion: Connection to God’s Love and Jesus Christ
At its core, the issue of iconolatry is about the proper orientation of worship. The Christian faith teaches that worship is due to God alone, and anything that distracts from or replaces this focus is idolatrous. The use of icons, when properly understood, can enhance worship by directing the believer’s attention to the truths of the faith and the reality of God’s presence.
In Colossians 1:15, Paul describes Christ as “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (NIV). This verse reminds believers that Christ Himself is the ultimate icon—the true and perfect representation of God. All other images, no matter how revered, must point to Him and lead believers into deeper relationship with the living God.
The Christian call is to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), focusing on the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Icons can serve as helpful tools in this journey, but they must always remain just that—tools that point beyond themselves to the greater reality of God’s love and the redemption offered through Christ. In this way, Christians can navigate the tension between the use of religious imagery and the call to pure, undistracted worship of the one true God.