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Religious images in Christian theology

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medieval art and architecture survived. Joseph Leo Koerner has noted that Lutherans, seeing themselves in the tradition of the ancient, apostolic church, sought to defend as well as reform the use of images. "An empty, white-washed church proclaimed a wholly spiritualized cult, at odds with Luther's doctrine of Christ's real presence in the sacraments" (Koerner 2004, 58). In fact, in the 16th century some of the strongest opposition to destruction of images came not from Catholics but from Lutherans against Calvinists: "You black Calvinist, you give permission to smash our pictures and hack our crosses; we are going to smash you and your Calvinist priests in return" (Koerner 2004, 58). Works of art continued to be displayed in Lutheran churches, often including an imposing large crucifix in the sanctuary, a clear reference to Luther's
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which subvert the saving work of God in Christ. Orthodox and Lutherans, however, have different histories. Lutherans have received the Nicaeno?Constantinopolitan Creed with the addition of the filioque. The Seventh Ecumenical Council, the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which rejected iconoclasm and restored the veneration of icons in the churches, was not part of the tradition received by the Reformation. Lutherans, however, rejected the iconoclasm of the 16th century, and affirmed the distinction between adoration due to the Triune God alone and all other forms of veneration (CA 21). Through historical research this council has become better known. Nevertheless it does not have the same significance for Lutherans as it does for the Orthodox. Yet,
995: 1065:, writes that, "Imagining God in our heads can be just as real a breach of the second commandment as imagining Him by the work of our hands." His overall concern is that "The mind that takes up with images is a mind that has not yet learned to love and attend to God's Word." In other words, image making relies on human sources rather than on divine revelation. Another typical Christian argument for this position might be that God was incarnate as a human being, not as an object of wood, stone or canvas, and therefore the only God-directed service of images permitted is the service of other people. During the period of Archbishop 916:, and he applied that to any image. He said that if someone made an image of something in heaven, on the earth, or below the earth, then he is breaking the commandment and is guilty of idolatry. He certainly rejected the cult of saints, but he did not see pictures and statues as dangerous in themselves agreeing to the use of "importance of images as tools for instruction and aids to devotion". He stated that "If it is not a sin but good to have the image of Christ in my heart, why should it be a sin to have it in my eyes?" He permitted the commissioning of new Lutheran altarpieces, including those of the 1501:
images, icons, and statues as tools to instruct and remind people of central elements of their faith. The crucifix is a constant reminder of the gospel. It is often placed in the sanctuary to remind both the pastor and the congregation that Christ and his cross are the center of the church's worship life. Churches use images of saints to remind the congregation of the great faith of those who have come before them, and to remind them of the unity of the church in heaven and on earth. It is a valuable picture of the communion of saints as expressed in the creed.
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of Rubruck, in his journey across Asia from Southern Russia as far as the town of Karakorum, mentions several times that the Armenians and Nestorians whom he meet used the cross but not the crucifix. In response to Rubruck's questions they could only reply that it was their custom. Whatever the cause may have been it was apparently not due to any dislike of images or pictures in general. When the Roman Catholic missionaries went to Malabar they found that the Nestorian Christians there did not use images and said, "We are Christians. We do not worship idols".
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Christ, Mary, the mother of God, and the saints are seen, the more are those who see them drawn to remember and long for those who serve as models, and to pay these icons the tribute of salutation and respectful veneration. Certainly this is not the full adoration in accordance with our faith, which is properly paid only to the divine nature, but it resembles that given to the figure of the honored and life?giving cross, and also to the holy books of the gospels and to other sacred objects" (Definition of the Second Council of Nicaea).
448: 938:, reflects "the devotional forms of fifteenth- and early sixteenth century northern art". Lutheran sacred art, however, gained a new function in addition to exciting one's mind to thoughts of the Divine by also serving a didactic purpose. He saw the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a continuation of the "ancient, apostolic church" and Lutherans therefore continued to worship in pre-Reformation churches, generally with few alterations to the interior. 1185:...early Christians, and remains a Christian symbol to this day. In early Christian art, fish represented the souls of believers, while fishermen imaged the apostles as founders of the Church and thus fishers of souls.35 But, paradoxically, the 'saved' fish are the ones caught in the net of the fisherman. As Jerome puts it: 'The apostles have fished for us and have drawn us out of the sea of this world that, from dead, we might become alive.' 1116: 225:, but there is no one section that clearly defines idolatry. Rather there are a number of commandments on this subject spread through the books of the Hebrew Bible, some of which were written in different historical eras, in response to different issues. Idolatry in the Hebrew Bible is defined as the worship of idols (or images); the worship of polytheistic gods by use of idols (or images) and even the use of idols in the worship of 815: 20: 798:, or sacrificial worship to something or someone that is not God, are forbidden; yet such are not the basis for Catholic worship. The Catholic knows "that in images there is no divinity or virtue on account of which they are to be worshipped, that no petitions can be addressed to them, and that no trust is to be placed in them. . . that the honour which is given to them is referred to the objects ( 1767: 1530:
wall crosses and embroidered Bible quotes. Whether bought in the marketplace or handmade, Protestant art connected homes and families to God and Jesus. Catholics also displayed devotional art in homes. In the 1870s, Irish immigrants adapted protestant domestic religion. This home art often emulated church art.
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While Germany and the Scandinavian countries adopted the Lutheran model of church and state, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Hungary, what is now the Czech Republic, and Scotland created Reformed Churches based, in varying ways, on the model Calvin set up in Geneva. Although England pursued the
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Throughout the ages, art has been a part of the church. God designed the temple, employing artisans to create its beautiful and ornate workmanship. Churches of old included stained-glass windows created to illustrate God’s word, and even the most simple country churches often include beautiful wooden
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7. As Lutherans and Orthodox we affirm that the teachings of the ecumenical councils are authoritative for our churches. The ecumenical councils maintain the integrity of the teaching of the undivided Church concerning the saving, illuminating/justifying and glorifying acts of God and reject heresies
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says, "Worship of an idol, instead of opening the human heart to Otherness, to a liberating relationship that permits the person to emerge from the narrow space of his own selfishness to enter the dimensions of love and of reciprocal giving, shuts the person into the exclusive and desperate circle of
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is, the central act of Christian worship. Many stories of the earliest martyrs end with an account of how Christians would gather up the martyr's remains, to the extent possible, in order to retain the martyr's relics. This is shown in the written record of the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, a personal
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The New Testament also uses the term "idolatry" to refer to worship like passion for things such as wealth, as in Colossians 3:5, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which is idolatry." Some Christian theologians
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Protestants also displayed devotional art as images and objects. Beginning in the 1830s, lithographers produced and sold cheap images for display in parlors. These included scenes of families reading the Bible, children praying, and Jesus preaching. Protestants also adorned their homes with handmade
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It is not uncommon to see icons of saints in Lutheran households and churches. Many Lutherans also adopt a historic church calendar wherein certain feast days are held in remembrance of great saints. This includes both biblical saints as well as venerable figures in church history. ... Lutherans use
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argued "that God's taking on human form sanctified the human image, noting that the humanity of Christ formed an image of God; therefore, artists could use human images to depict the incarnate Word as well as human saints." As such, religious imagery today, in the form of statues, is most identified
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In modern times the Nestorians alone of all the Eastern Churches have abandoned he use of images, only using the cross to which they pay the greatest reverence. The use of a plain cross without the figure of Christ on it goes back at least as far as the middle of the thirteenth century, for William
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wrote, "...it is one thing to adore an image, it is quite another thing to learn from the appearance of a picture what we must adore. What books are to those who can read, that is a picture to the ignorant who look at it; in a picture even the unlearned may see what example they should follow; in a
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Catholicism interprets the commandment not to make "any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above" to mean to not "bow down and worship" the image in and of itself nor a false god through the image. Catholic theology offers the following explanations of liturgical practice
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This decision was based on the arguments including that the biblical commandment forbidding images of God was because no-one had seen God. But, by the Incarnation of Jesus, who is God incarnate in visible matter, humankind has now seen God. It was therefore argued that they were not depicting the
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already from the 3rd century included images very similar to what became the traditional image of Jesus, with a longish face and long straight hair. As the Church increased in size and popularity, the need to educate illiterate converts led to the use of pictures which portrayed biblical stories,
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in the Netherlands. Towards the end of the 16th century there were disputes between Lutherans and Calvinists, with the Lutherans offering strong opposition to Calvinist iconoclasm. Though both groupings did not object to book illustrations or prints of biblical events, or portraits of reformers,
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are in agreement that the Second Council of Nicaea confirms the christological teaching of the earlier councils and in setting forth the role of images (icons) in the lives of the faithful reaffirms the reality of the incarnation of the eternal Word of God, when it states: "The more frequently,
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Lutherans continued to worship in pre-Reformation churches, generally with few alterations to the interior. It has even been suggested that in Germany to this day one finds more ancient Marian altarpieces in Lutheran than in Catholic churches. Thus in Germany and in Scandinavia many pieces of
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states: "Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship...Man commits idolatry whenever he honours and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money etc." Speaking of the effects of idolatry,
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Iconoclastic incidents during the Calvinist 'Second Reformation' in Germany provoked reactive riots by Lutheran mobs, while Protestant image-breaking in the Baltic region deeply antagonized the neighbouring Eastern Orthodox, a group with whom reformers might have hoped to make common
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Without a doubt, then, liturgy and shared devotion are integrated in Eastern Christianity; icons are present in both private and public spaces. In the home, most Eastern Christians have an icon corner where members of the family and guests alike may "greet" the saints in
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Christian group that forbids the use of images in secular life. In their critiques these groups argue that such practices are in effect little different from idolatry, and that they localize and particularize God, who, they argue, is beyond human depiction.
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The Beeldenstorm, or Iconoclastic Fury, involved roving bands of radical Calvinists who were utterly opposed to all religious images and decorations in churches and who acted on their beliefs by storming into Catholic churches and destroying all artwork and
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contain strong denunciations of these practices, which seem to have included outright idol-worship. Statues on secular buildings, however, could serve as expression of secular power in various periods of Christianity, without implications of idol-worship.
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sums up Church teaching: "We should give to relics, crucifixes and holy pictures a relative honour, as they relate to Christ and his saints and are memorials of them. We do not pray to relics or images, for they can neither see nor hear nor help
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crosses and podiums. Writers, speakers and musicians have always taken part in worship services. Art is and always has been part of the church. It is simply another way in which people wonder at and express God’s creativity, love and majesty.
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Péter Bokody, "Idolatry or Power: St. Francis in Front of the Sultan," In Promoting the Saints: Cults and Their Contexts from Late Antiquity until the Early Modern Period, ed. Ottó Gecser and others (Budapest: CEU Press, 2010), 69-81.
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Some Lutherans designate a special place in the home where they can focus during personal devotions. This space could include a Bible, candles, and small colored paraments or hangings that change according to the seasons of the church
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A recent joint Lutheran-Orthodox statement made in the 7th Plenary of the Lutheran-Orthodox Joint Commission, in July 1993 in Helsinki, reaffirmed the Ecumenical Council decisions on the nature of Christ and the veneration of images:
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In an episode known as the Great Iconoclasm, bands of Calvinists visited Catholic churches in the Netherlands in 1566, shattering stained-glass windows, smashing statues, and destroying paintings and other artworks they perceived as
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Devoutly Catholic but opposed to Inquisition tactics, they backed William of Orange in subduing the Calvinist uprising of the Dutch beeldenstorm on behalf of regent Margaret of Parma, and had come willingly to the council at her
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said, (Summa, III, 25, 3), but "no reverence is shown to Christ's image, as a thing---for instance, carved or painted wood: because reverence is not due save to a rational creature". In the case of an image of a saint, the
719:. They point to the Old Testament patterns of worship followed by the Hebrew people as examples of how certain places and things used in worship may be treated with reverence or venerated, without worshiping them. The 986:, and the Secretary of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Canon Gareth J Powell, writes that it features "vibrant expressions of God's love, and a whole range of conversations that are both missional and pastoral". 866:). There is a great deal of controversy over the question of what constitutes idolatry and this has bearing on the visual arts and the use of icons and symbols in worship, and other matters. As in other 1213:
The Synod of Elvira (306-312) prohibited the exhibition of images in churches on the same terms as the participation of Christians in pagan games--obviously understanding both phenomena as kindred.
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One thing some families do is make a family altar with pictures of Jesus, candles, a crucifix, and other religious articles. This family altar reminds the family of the importance of prayer.
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Christian use of relics also dates to the catacombs, when Christians found themselves praying in the presence of the bodies of martyrs, sometimes using their tombs as altars for sharing the
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Reformation ideal in its own way, leading to the formation of the Anglican Communion, the theology of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England were heavily influenced by Calvinism.
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The New Testament does contain the rudiments of an argument which provides a basis for religious images or icons. Jesus was visible, and orthodox Christian doctrine maintains that Jesus is
802:) which they represent, so that through the images which we kiss, and before which we uncover our heads and kneel, we adore Christ and venerate the Saints whose likenesses they are" ( 260:, which God commanded Moses to make and lift high to cure any Israelites who looked at it of snakebites, is God-ordained use of an image. However, as part of a later religious reform 1277: 1880:
Although some reformers, such as John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli, rejected all images, Martin Luther defended the importance of images as tools for instruction and aids to devotion.
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is a human-made object that is venerated or worshipped for the deity, person or spirit that it embodies or represents. It is also controversially and pejoratively used by some
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production of large-scale religious art virtually ceased in Protestant regions after about 1540, and artists shifted to secular subjects, ironically often including revived
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Reformed Christianity has been known at times for its simple, unadorned churches and lifestyles, as depicted in this photograph of the interior of a Calvinist church in
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see the absolutization of an idea as idolatrous. Therefore, undue focus on particular features of Christianity to the exclusion of others would constitute idolatry.
39:, c. 50 AD: "...we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood..." ( 54:. The use of religious images has often been a contentious issue in Christian history. Concern over idolatry is the driving force behind the various traditions of 398:
argued that the connection between Jesus' incarnation and the use of images is so strong that to reject or prohibit the use of images is tantamount to denying the
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Third century visual and verbal evidence is not in disagreement; both reveal an early and generally accepted use of images in the settings of christian worship.
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traditions, was always extremely hostile to all publicly displayed religious images, which were systematically destroyed by Calvinists, as in the
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In Greek and Russian Orthodox churches icons play a very significant part in the piety of ordinary believers who often pray before their icons.
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However, in Anglican churches statues and images are far less prevalent than in Lutheran or Roman Catholic places of worship.
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in Syria. Catholic and Orthodox historians affirm, on the basis of these archeological finds in the Catacombs, that the
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along with images of saints, angels, prophets, and the Cross (though only portrayed in a bejewelled, glorified state).
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14:7-9 ). Paul of Tarsus referred to Jesus as the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). Theologians such as
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picture they who know no letters may vet read. Hence, for barbarians especially a picture takes the place of a book."
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Certain periods of Christian history have seen supporters of aniconism in Christianity, first with the movement of
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Himself for the manifestation of His presence as well as physical manifestations of His Judgement and Glory.
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Kaleidoscope Catechesis: Missionary Catechesis in Africa, Particularly in the Diocese of Wa in Ghana
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A Century of Giants, A.D. 1500 to 1600: In an Age of Spiritual Genius, Western Christendom Shatters
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used symbolic and allegorical images mainly, partly no doubt to avoid drawing attention during the
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of Reformed (Calvinist) Christianity, written in the 16th through 18th centuries, including the
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was not caused by it. However, he said that the gods worshiped in idolatry were in his belief
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The Eclipse of Christianity in Asia: From the Time of Muhammad Till the Fourteenth Century
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concerned whether it was permissible to eat meat that had been offered in pagan worship.
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The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 7. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 15 July 2019
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The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success
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The Israelites used various images in connection with their worship, including carved
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https://www.academia.edu/1787059/Idolatry_or_Power_St._Francis_in_Front_of_the_Sultan
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in 787 AD (the Western Church was not represented, but approved the decrees later).
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Image as Insight: Visual Understanding in Western Christianity and Secular Culture
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Eating and Believing: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Vegetarianism and Theology
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Christ's Subversive Body: Practices of Religious Rhetoric in Culture and Politics
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was treated with great reverence and included images of cherubim on top of it (
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Catechism of The Catholic Church, passage 2113, pp.460, Geoffrey Chapman, 1999
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have a role within the liturgical and devotional life of adherents of certain
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destroyed the Serpent, which the Hebrew people had been burning incense to (
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the meaning of the term has been extended very widely by theologians. The
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The Early Medieval World: From the Fall of Rome to the Time of Charlemagne
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was a later development). Later, personified symbols were used, including
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Lucas Cranach the Elder: Art and Devotion of the German Reformation
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After the end of persecution, and the adoption of Christianity by
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are used extensively, and are most often associated with parts of
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
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images and liturgical objects by kissing, bowing, and making the
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grew in a society where religious images, usually in the form of
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to identify Christian places of worship and Christian homes. The
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Gardner's Art through the Ages: A Concise History of Western Art
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Icons in the Western Church: Toward a More Sacramental Encounter
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art it is avoided to the current day. It only reappeared in
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Kurian, George Thomas; Lamport, Mark A. (10 November 2016).
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The Great Divide: A Lutheran Evaluation of Reformed Theology
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and other saints, which Catholics do not consider idolatry.
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Paintings of Old Testament scenes are found in Jewish
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and other forms of Eastern paganism. Many writings by
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The Methodist Modern Art Collection is housed by the
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of the same period, and the heavily painted walls of
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in the home, were a prominent feature of traditional
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contain several admonitions to "flee from idolatry" (
2091:. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 138. 1517:. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 707. 1111: 794:
Both the literal worship of an inanimate object and
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that features images, icons, statues, and the like:
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invisible God, but God as He appeared in the flesh.
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persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire
96:, in which Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Emperors 1572: 2089:Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation 1515:Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States 1506: 1403:Cohen, Yoel; Soukup, Paul A. (22 February 2023). 1398: 1396: 1169:Grumett, David; Muers, Rachel (3 November 2011). 1077:, the use of ritual implements prescribed by the 707:, in religious life and pray using depictions of 437:The use of icons and symbols in Christian worship 2199: 1673:(New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1977), 145. 1162: 573:of religious subjects was not produced, and in 1564: 1449: 1393: 1346:. Random House Publishing Group. p. 176. 85:, although some ancient Churches, such as the 1512: 1201:. Northwestern University Press. p. 60. 690:Different understandings of the use of images 221:Idolatry is prohibited by many verses in the 2113: 1967: 1965: 1929: 1892: 1890: 1888: 1757: 1755: 1432:. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 125. 1421: 1310: 1190: 1168: 2080: 2051: 1428:Thiessen, Gesa Elsbeth (20 December 2004). 1402: 463:("fish of the living"), early 3rd century, 2014: 1857: 1570: 1535: 1477: 1455: 1405:The Handbook of Religion and Communication 1375:. Christian History Project. p. 297. 1364: 1962: 1885: 1762:Fortescue, Adrian. "Veneration of Images" 1752: 1637:International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 1600: 1488:. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 91. 1316: 1246: 1229:. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 48. 1196: 2119: 2021:Picken, Stuart D.B. (16 December 2011). 1427: 1335: 1218: 1083:was a frequent cause of conflict. (See 993: 940: 885: 826:, a medieval-era Lutheran parish of the 813: 664: 658:are a response prepared in the court of 446: 18: 2086: 2057: 1905:. University Press of America. p.  1456:Holm, Jean; Bowker, John (1 May 1994). 1370: 1225:Miles, Margaret R. (1 September 2006). 1197:Solovieva, Olga V. (15 November 2017). 156:, it is common for believers to have a 2200: 2020: 1930:Love-Rodgers, Christine (2018-01-01). 1863: 1541: 1483: 1252: 48:Religious images in Christian theology 1971: 1896: 1606: 1571:Hahn, Kimberly; Hasson, Mary (1996). 1407:. John Wiley & Sons. p. 42. 1341: 1275: 1224: 608:had begun well before Constantine I. 1317:Frassetto, Michael (14 March 2013). 1285:Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 1013:of Christianity that influenced the 482:Jesus was represented indirectly by 31:, whose judgment was adopted in the 2120:Marshall, Peter (22 October 2009). 2087:Lamport, Mark A. (31 August 2017). 2058:Kleiner, Fred S. (1 January 2010). 1090: 13: 2025:Historical Dictionary of Calvinism 1997: 1342:Stark, Rodney (18 December 2007). 1269: 838:is consistently prohibited in the 699:Catholics use images, such as the 203:of statues and flat images of the 14: 2224: 2183:The Icon FAQ (Orthodox Christian) 2176: 2062:. Cengage Learning. p. 254. 1607:Visel, Jeana (6 September 2016). 1544:The Lutheran Handbook on Marriage 1484:Cooper, Jordan (27 August 2015). 984:Methodist Church of Great Britain 932:St. Wolfgang's Church, Schneeberg 210: 16:Icons and symbols in Christianity 1765: 1671:Principles of Christian Theology 1611:. Liturgical Press. p. 22. 1114: 914:one should make no graven images 873:Catechism of the Catholic Church 834:The Catholic Church states that 770:. The worship of whatever type, 271: 2169:Knowing God, IVP, 1973, Page 43 2163: 2160:Knowing God, IVP, 1973, Page 42 2154: 1991: 1923: 1832: 1811: 1807:General Audience. June 15, 2011 1800: 1791: 1777: 1731: 1718: 1697: 1676: 1663: 1642: 1629: 783: 420:religions, such as traditional 289:. Although Jesus discussed the 1546:. Augsburg Books. p. 84. 1173:. A&C Black. p. 474. 694: 183:) practice of worshipping the 144:, embroidered verses from the 1: 2002:. Methodist Church in Britain 1460:. A&C Black. p. 39. 1155: 818:A 1512 altarpiece adorns the 195:devotional practices such as 1840:"Luther and the Iconoclasts" 1253:Browne, Laurence E. (1933). 989: 964: 858:, most significantly in the 567:Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus 344:) A major controversy among 128:traditions. Two dimensional 7: 2193:Idolatry and cult of saints 2029:. Scarecrow Press. p.  1868:. Peter Lang. p. 114. 1864:Naaeke, Anthony Y. (2006). 1107: 1061:, in Chapter 4 of his book 10: 2229: 1579:. Ignatius Press. p.  1542:Skrade, Kristofer (2006). 1259:Cambridge University Press 912:read the commandment that 842:, including as one of the 457: 440: 275: 214: 179:(and, to a lesser extent, 2188:Idolatry and Christianity 1321:. ABC-CLIO. p. 327. 1135:Christianity and Paganism 956:in a Methodist church in 443:Aniconism in Christianity 368:10:14-22). See also the 56:aniconism in Christianity 1009:, the progenitor of the 808:de invocatione Sanctorum 673:depicts an image of the 645:Second Council of Nicaea 533:", a beardless youth in 148:, as well as imagery of 2130:Oxford University Press 1978:United Methodist Church 1948:10.1108/RR-03-2018-0050 971:United Methodist Church 936:Lutheran sacred imagery 635:Significant periods of 52:Christian denominations 1972:Brown, Tricia (2018). 1897:Noble, Bonnie (2009). 1430:Theological Aesthetics 1003: 980: 961: 907: 831: 686: 594:Dura Europos Synagogue 526:charming the animals. 522:in the lion's den, or 468: 426:Ancient Greek religion 422:Ancient Roman religion 65:, Christians used the 44: 2213:Christian iconography 1635:Geoffrey W. Bromiley 1371:Byfield, Ted (2002). 1085:vestments controversy 1080:Book of Common Prayer 997: 975: 944: 923:Schneeberg Altarpiece 893: 886:Lutheran and Orthodox 817: 668: 465:National Roman Museum 455:with the inscription 450: 299:Shema in Christianity 22: 1844:Lutheran Reformation 1297:10.7227/BJRL.78.3.11 1015:Continental Reformed 683:ecclesiastical Latin 641:Byzantine iconoclasm 615:, which was, and in 571:monumental sculpture 502:, or an anchor (the 486:symbols such as the 400:Incarnation of Jesus 352:, who agreed to the 278:Council of Jerusalem 154:Western Christianity 134:Eastern Christianity 94:Byzantine Iconoclasm 1819:"lutheran orthodox" 1276:Parry, Ken (1996). 1122:Christianity portal 1036:classical mythology 868:Abrahamic religions 764:Blessed Virgin Mary 721:Ark of the Covenant 561:were also found on 472:Early Christian art 295:Sermon on the Mount 287:Jewish Christianity 238:Ark of the Covenant 217:Idolatry in Judaism 187:through the use of 1998:Powell, Gareth J. 1741:. Orthodoxinfo.com 1575:Catholic Education 1069:'s conflicts with 1011:Reformed tradition 1004: 962: 950:votive candle rack 926:was placed at the 832: 687: 669:The emblem of the 628:disciple of Saint 543:depiction of Jesus 537:scenes collecting 469: 406:Early Christianity 256:). Similarly, the 115:The church father 87:Church of the East 45: 1936:Reference Reviews 1669:John MacQuarrie, 1414:978-1-119-67155-8 1145:Idolatry in Islam 1075:Church of England 946:Madonna and Child 740:Gregory the Great 717:sign of the cross 625:Eastern Orthodoxy 531:The Good Shepherd 480:Catacombs of Rome 414:lares and penates 307:Ministry of Jesus 303:Great Commandment 106:Iconoclastic Fury 79:Christian worship 2220: 2170: 2167: 2161: 2158: 2152: 2151: 2127: 2117: 2111: 2110: 2106:theologia crucis 2084: 2078: 2077: 2055: 2049: 2048: 2028: 2018: 2012: 2011: 2009: 2007: 1995: 1989: 1988: 1986: 1984: 1969: 1960: 1959: 1927: 1921: 1920: 1904: 1894: 1883: 1882: 1861: 1855: 1854: 1852: 1851: 1836: 1830: 1829: 1827: 1826: 1815: 1809: 1804: 1798: 1795: 1789: 1785:Summa Theologica 1781: 1775: 1769: 1768: 1759: 1750: 1749: 1747: 1746: 1735: 1729: 1722: 1716: 1715: 1713: 1712: 1701: 1695: 1694: 1692: 1691: 1680: 1674: 1667: 1661: 1660: 1658: 1657: 1646: 1640: 1633: 1627: 1626: 1604: 1598: 1597: 1578: 1568: 1562: 1561: 1539: 1533: 1532: 1510: 1504: 1503: 1481: 1475: 1474: 1453: 1447: 1446: 1425: 1419: 1418: 1400: 1391: 1390: 1368: 1362: 1361: 1339: 1333: 1332: 1314: 1308: 1307: 1305: 1303: 1282: 1273: 1267: 1266: 1250: 1244: 1243: 1222: 1216: 1215: 1194: 1188: 1187: 1166: 1124: 1119: 1118: 1091:Non-use by Amish 969:Writing for the 860:Apostolic Decree 844:Ten Commandments 828:Church of Sweden 804:Council of Trent 788:Adrian Fortescue 630:John the Apostle 579:Eastern Orthodox 569:. However large 462: 461: 396:John of Damascus 354:Apostolic Decree 346:Early Christians 314:Pauline Epistles 177:Eastern Orthodox 117:John of Damascus 81:within parts of 33:Apostolic Decree 2228: 2227: 2223: 2222: 2221: 2219: 2218: 2217: 2198: 2197: 2179: 2174: 2173: 2168: 2164: 2159: 2155: 2144: 2124:The Reformation 2118: 2114: 2099: 2085: 2081: 2070: 2056: 2052: 2041: 2019: 2015: 2005: 2003: 1996: 1992: 1982: 1980: 1970: 1963: 1928: 1924: 1917: 1895: 1886: 1876: 1862: 1858: 1849: 1847: 1838: 1837: 1833: 1824: 1822: 1817: 1816: 1812: 1805: 1801: 1796: 1792: 1782: 1778: 1766: 1760: 1753: 1744: 1742: 1737: 1736: 1732: 1723: 1719: 1710: 1708: 1707:. Bible Gateway 1703: 1702: 1698: 1689: 1687: 1686:. Bible Gateway 1682: 1681: 1677: 1668: 1664: 1655: 1653: 1652:. Bible Gateway 1648: 1647: 1643: 1634: 1630: 1619: 1605: 1601: 1591: 1569: 1565: 1554: 1540: 1536: 1525: 1511: 1507: 1496: 1482: 1478: 1468: 1454: 1450: 1440: 1426: 1422: 1415: 1401: 1394: 1383: 1369: 1365: 1354: 1340: 1336: 1329: 1315: 1311: 1301: 1299: 1280: 1274: 1270: 1251: 1247: 1237: 1223: 1219: 1209: 1195: 1191: 1181: 1167: 1163: 1158: 1150:Jean-Luc Marion 1120: 1113: 1110: 1093: 992: 967: 888: 725:Exodus 25:18–22 697: 692: 671:Moravian Church 583:Carolingian art 557:. Small carved 445: 439: 280: 274: 242:Exodus 25:18–22 219: 213: 146:Christian Bible 75:Synod of Elvira 17: 12: 11: 5: 2226: 2216: 2215: 2210: 2196: 2195: 2190: 2185: 2178: 2177:External links 2175: 2172: 2171: 2162: 2153: 2142: 2112: 2097: 2079: 2068: 2050: 2039: 2013: 2000:"Introduction" 1990: 1961: 1922: 1915: 1884: 1874: 1856: 1831: 1810: 1799: 1790: 1776: 1751: 1739:"The Icon FAQ" 1730: 1717: 1696: 1675: 1662: 1641: 1628: 1617: 1599: 1589: 1563: 1552: 1534: 1523: 1505: 1494: 1476: 1466: 1448: 1438: 1420: 1413: 1392: 1381: 1363: 1352: 1334: 1327: 1309: 1291:(3): 143–162. 1268: 1261:. p. 79. 1245: 1235: 1217: 1207: 1189: 1179: 1160: 1159: 1157: 1154: 1153: 1152: 1147: 1142: 1137: 1132: 1126: 1125: 1109: 1106: 1092: 1089: 1019:Congregational 991: 988: 966: 963: 887: 884: 882:self-seeking" 824:Drothem Church 812: 811: 792: 747:Thomas Aquinas 744: 696: 693: 691: 688: 656:Libri Carolini 529:The image of " 441:Main article: 438: 435: 430:Church fathers 392:Gospel of John 388:God the Father 350:Paul of Tarsus 273: 270: 246:Holy of Holies 215:Main article: 212: 211:Jewish origins 209: 122:Roman Catholic 110:Reformed faith 29:James the Just 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 2225: 2214: 2211: 2209: 2206: 2205: 2203: 2194: 2191: 2189: 2186: 2184: 2181: 2180: 2166: 2157: 2150: 2145: 2143:9780191578885 2139: 2135: 2131: 2126: 2125: 2116: 2109: 2107: 2100: 2098:9781442271593 2094: 2090: 2083: 2076: 2071: 2069:9781424069224 2065: 2061: 2054: 2047: 2042: 2040:9780810872240 2036: 2032: 2027: 2026: 2017: 2001: 1994: 1979: 1975: 1968: 1966: 1957: 1953: 1949: 1945: 1941: 1937: 1933: 1926: 1918: 1916:9780761843375 1912: 1908: 1903: 1902: 1893: 1891: 1889: 1881: 1877: 1875:9780820486857 1871: 1867: 1860: 1845: 1841: 1835: 1821:. Helsinki.fi 1820: 1814: 1808: 1803: 1794: 1788: 1786: 1780: 1773: 1772:public domain 1763: 1758: 1756: 1740: 1734: 1728: 1721: 1706: 1700: 1685: 1679: 1672: 1666: 1651: 1645: 1638: 1632: 1625: 1620: 1618:9780814646847 1614: 1610: 1603: 1596: 1592: 1590:9780898705669 1586: 1582: 1577: 1576: 1567: 1560: 1555: 1553:9780806652948 1549: 1545: 1538: 1531: 1526: 1524:9781442244320 1520: 1516: 1509: 1502: 1497: 1495:9781498224246 1491: 1487: 1480: 1473: 1469: 1467:9780567262325 1463: 1459: 1452: 1445: 1441: 1439:9780802828880 1435: 1431: 1424: 1416: 1410: 1406: 1399: 1397: 1389: 1384: 1382:9780968987391 1378: 1374: 1367: 1360: 1355: 1353:9781588365002 1349: 1345: 1338: 1330: 1328:9781598849967 1324: 1320: 1313: 1298: 1294: 1290: 1286: 1279: 1272: 1265: 1260: 1256: 1249: 1242: 1238: 1236:9781597529020 1232: 1228: 1221: 1214: 1210: 1208:9780810136014 1204: 1200: 1193: 1186: 1182: 1180:9780567577368 1176: 1172: 1165: 1161: 1151: 1148: 1146: 1143: 1141: 1138: 1136: 1133: 1131: 1128: 1127: 1123: 1117: 1112: 1105: 1102: 1098: 1088: 1086: 1082: 1081: 1076: 1072: 1068: 1064: 1060: 1056: 1052: 1048: 1044: 1041:The earliest 1039: 1037: 1032: 1028: 1024: 1020: 1016: 1012: 1008: 1001: 996: 987: 985: 979: 974: 972: 959: 955: 951: 947: 943: 939: 937: 933: 929: 925: 924: 919: 915: 911: 910:Martin Luther 906: 903: 899: 892: 883: 880: 875: 874: 869: 865: 864:Acts 15:19–21 861: 857: 854:(for example 853: 852:New Testament 850:) and in the 849: 848:Exodus 20:3–4 845: 841: 837: 829: 825: 821: 816: 809: 806:, Sess. XXV, 805: 801: 797: 793: 789: 785: 781: 777: 773: 769: 765: 761: 757: 754:would not be 753: 748: 745: 741: 738: 737: 736: 732: 730: 729:God of Israel 726: 722: 718: 714: 710: 706: 702: 684: 680: 676: 672: 667: 663: 661: 657: 652: 648: 646: 642: 638: 633: 631: 626: 622: 618: 614: 609: 607: 603: 599: 595: 591: 586: 584: 580: 576: 575:Byzantine art 572: 568: 564: 560: 556: 552: 547: 544: 540: 536: 532: 527: 525: 521: 517: 513: 509: 505: 501: 497: 493: 489: 485: 481: 477: 473: 466: 460: 454: 449: 444: 434: 431: 427: 423: 419: 415: 411: 407: 403: 401: 397: 393: 389: 385: 382: 377: 373: 371: 370:Law of Christ 367: 363: 359: 355: 351: 347: 343: 339: 335: 331: 327: 323: 319: 315: 310: 308: 304: 300: 296: 292: 288: 284: 279: 272:New Testament 269: 267: 263: 259: 255: 251: 247: 243: 239: 235: 230: 228: 224: 223:Old Testament 218: 208: 206: 202: 198: 194: 190: 186: 185:Christian God 182: 178: 174: 170: 165: 163: 159: 155: 151: 147: 143: 139: 135: 131: 127: 123: 118: 113: 111: 107: 103: 100:, as well as 99: 95: 90: 88: 84: 80: 76: 72: 68: 64: 59: 57: 53: 49: 42: 38: 37:Acts 15:19–29 34: 30: 26: 21: 2165: 2156: 2147: 2123: 2115: 2105: 2102: 2088: 2082: 2073: 2059: 2053: 2044: 2024: 2016: 2004:. Retrieved 1993: 1981:. Retrieved 1939: 1935: 1925: 1900: 1879: 1865: 1859: 1848:. Retrieved 1846:. 2016-06-09 1843: 1834: 1823:. Retrieved 1813: 1802: 1793: 1784: 1779: 1743:. Retrieved 1733: 1720: 1709:. Retrieved 1699: 1688:. Retrieved 1678: 1670: 1665: 1654:. Retrieved 1644: 1636: 1631: 1622: 1608: 1602: 1594: 1574: 1566: 1557: 1543: 1537: 1528: 1514: 1508: 1499: 1485: 1479: 1471: 1457: 1451: 1443: 1429: 1423: 1404: 1386: 1372: 1366: 1357: 1343: 1337: 1318: 1312: 1300:. Retrieved 1288: 1284: 1271: 1262: 1254: 1248: 1240: 1226: 1220: 1212: 1198: 1192: 1184: 1170: 1164: 1094: 1078: 1067:William Laud 1062: 1059:J. I. Packer 1040: 1031:Beeldenstorm 1027:Presbyterian 1005: 981: 976: 968: 921: 908: 894: 889: 879:Benedict XVI 871: 862:recorded in 840:Hebrew Bible 833: 807: 799: 795: 779: 775: 771: 767: 762:, while the 759: 755: 751: 733: 711:. They also 698: 678: 653: 649: 634: 610: 587: 548: 528: 516:Resurrection 507: 491: 470: 459:ΙΧΘΥϹ ΖΩΝΤΩΝ 404: 378: 374: 311: 281: 266:2 Kings 18:4 254:Exodus 26:31 231: 220: 166: 142:wall crosses 114: 91: 63:early Church 60: 47: 46: 2075:idolatrous. 1388:invitation. 1130:Bibliolatry 1073:within the 1063:Knowing God 1053:(1647) and 1051:Westminster 1007:John Calvin 918:Last Supper 856:1 John 5:21 758:but rather 695:Catholicism 675:Lamb of God 660:Charlemagne 621:Lutheranism 617:Catholicism 551:Constantine 500:Lamb of God 366:Corinthians 334:Gal 5:19–21 205:Virgin Mary 173:Protestants 162:icon corner 83:Christendom 2202:Categories 2132:. p.  1942:(5): 5–6. 1850:2023-06-26 1825:2013-09-20 1745:2013-09-20 1711:2013-09-20 1690:2013-09-20 1656:2013-09-20 1156:References 1140:Heterodoxy 1101:Anabaptist 1047:Heidelberg 1043:catechisms 928:high altar 776:hyperdulia 768:hyperdulia 637:iconoclasm 598:veneration 563:sarcophagi 318:1 Cor 5:11 291:Mosaic Law 276:See also: 250:Tabernacle 201:veneration 169:cult image 158:home altar 102:Theophilos 98:Michael II 27:depicting 1956:0950-4125 1559:calendar. 990:Calvinism 965:Methodism 958:Cleveland 898:Lutherans 800:prototypa 766:receives 679:Agnus Dei 613:Eucharist 590:catacombs 565:like the 484:pictogram 478:. In the 451:Funerary 384:incarnate 258:Nehushtan 197:scapulars 138:Anglicans 120:with the 2208:Idolatry 2006:30 April 1983:30 April 1108:See also 1071:Puritans 1055:Fisher's 1049:(1563), 1023:Anglican 1000:Semarang 902:Orthodox 836:idolatry 713:venerate 701:crucifix 535:pastoral 262:Hezekiah 234:cherubim 199:and the 193:Catholic 181:Catholic 126:Lutheran 1624:prayer. 1458:Worship 1359:finery. 1302:23 July 1099:are an 954:kneeler 948:with a 934:and as 820:chancel 752:worship 559:reliefs 524:Orpheus 508:Chi-Rho 504:Labarum 496:peacock 488:Ichthys 410:statues 358:scandal 342:Col 3:5 338:Eph 5:5 293:in the 283:Judaism 248:in the 236:on the 229:(God). 69:(fish) 67:Ichthys 61:In the 2149:cause. 2140:  2095:  2066:  2037:  1954:  1913:  1872:  1615:  1587:  1550:  1521:  1492:  1464:  1436:  1411:  1379:  1350:  1325:  1233:  1205:  1177:  920:. The 796:latria 772:latria 756:latria 709:saints 703:, the 606:relics 555:mosaic 520:Daniel 362:demons 322:6:9–10 305:, and 252:tent ( 227:Yahweh 71:symbol 1909:-69. 1281:(PDF) 1097:Amish 780:dulia 778:, or 760:dulia 705:cross 602:icons 539:sheep 512:Jonah 453:stele 418:pagan 330:10:14 189:icons 152:. In 150:Jesus 130:icons 2138:ISBN 2093:ISBN 2064:ISBN 2035:ISBN 2008:2018 1985:2018 1952:ISSN 1911:ISBN 1870:ISBN 1787:text 1613:ISBN 1585:ISBN 1548:ISBN 1519:ISBN 1490:ISBN 1462:ISBN 1434:ISBN 1409:ISBN 1377:ISBN 1348:ISBN 1323:ISBN 1304:2018 1231:ISBN 1203:ISBN 1175:ISBN 1095:The 1025:and 952:and 900:and 791:us." 654:The 623:and 604:and 577:and 492:fish 381:YHWH 326:10:7 312:The 124:and 41:NRSV 25:icon 2134:114 1944:doi 1581:312 1293:doi 930:of 822:of 786:). 681:in 600:of 506:or 494:), 309:). 268:). 35:of 23:An 2204:: 2146:. 2136:. 2128:. 2101:. 2072:. 2043:. 2033:. 1976:. 1964:^ 1950:. 1940:32 1938:. 1934:. 1907:67 1887:^ 1878:. 1842:. 1754:^ 1621:. 1593:. 1583:. 1556:. 1527:. 1498:. 1470:. 1442:. 1395:^ 1385:. 1356:. 1289:78 1287:. 1283:. 1257:. 1239:. 1211:. 1183:. 1087:) 1038:. 1021:, 1017:, 810:). 774:, 632:. 619:, 518:, 498:, 424:, 402:. 372:. 340:, 336:, 332:, 328:, 324:, 320:, 301:, 167:A 164:. 112:. 58:. 2031:1 2010:. 1987:. 1958:. 1946:: 1919:. 1853:. 1828:. 1774:. 1748:. 1714:. 1693:. 1659:. 1417:. 1331:. 1306:. 1295:: 1002:. 960:. 846:( 830:. 784:³ 677:( 490:( 467:. 390:( 240:( 43:)

Index


icon
James the Just
Apostolic Decree
Acts 15:19–29
NRSV
Christian denominations
aniconism in Christianity
early Church
Ichthys
symbol
Synod of Elvira
Christian worship
Christendom
Church of the East
Byzantine Iconoclasm
Michael II
Theophilos
Iconoclastic Fury
Reformed faith
John of Damascus
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
icons
Eastern Christianity
Anglicans
wall crosses
Christian Bible
Jesus
Western Christianity

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