In Orthodox Christianity, icons are never worshippord, but they are honored or venerated. The Second Commandment says, "You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything the is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"(Ex. 20:4,5). The warning her is (1) that we are not to image things which are limited to heaven and therefor unseen, and (2) we never bow down to or worship created, earthly things such as the golden calf. Does this condemn all imagery in worship? The Bible speeks for itself, and the answer is no. Just five chapters after the giving of the Ten Commandments,God, as recorded in Exodus 25, gives His divine blueprint, if you will, for the tabernacle. Specifically in verses 19 and 20, he commands images of cherubim to be placed above the mercy seat. Also, god promises to meet and speak with us through this imagery! Ex. 25:22 It is not true imagery which is condemned in Scripture, but false imagery.
2007-11-02 09:08:47 · 6 answers · asked by Jacob Dahlen 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The simple answer is...
If we have a picture of our loved ones on our desk or in our wallet, it's not the picture that we love, it's the people that it represents, just as Veritas stated.
Mark
2007-11-02 11:37:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I answered an almost identical question so here I'll just repost my answer:
Orthodox Christianity is ofcourse focussed on Christ not saints. Saints are seen as intermediaries, helpers, examples and inspirers. Much like we look to our fellow still living Christian brethren and sisters for guidance and support.
Orthodox icons are painted depictions of the saint and various attributes putting the saint into a certain "category" i.e. martyr. Orthodox Christians feel that because saints were human they have a good understanding of our circumstances as well as having a good understanding of God and are close to Him. Therefore they are seen as natural intermediaries not just in life, but even afterwards.
2007-11-02 16:41:16 · answer #2 · answered by han_ko_bicknese 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. What God condemns in the Old Testament are graven images that people bow down to and worship.
Orthodox and Catholics do not worship religious images. Rather, the images lift our eyes and hearts to heaven so that we might commune more closely with God.
We are physical beings and physical things can be like bridges to the supernatural if used correctly.
2007-11-02 16:13:42 · answer #3 · answered by Veritas 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course not. There's nothing wrong with Christian art. My own church makes frequent use of it. It's only idolatry if you're actually worshiping the images, which we're not. I've never understood some people's obsession with removing everything of beauty and artistic meaning from their worship services. There have been moments when I've felt that sacred art has brought me closer to God.
2007-11-02 16:16:22 · answer #4 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No of course not. They are venerated because they are also called "windows into Heaven" and these graces that are given to "see" are important and should be venerated. They have meaning, besides being beautiful pictures of art.
2007-11-02 17:04:33 · answer #5 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
I Cr 13;8a
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=As0LxS10WDUdini7QwbH4n_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071102013947AAdC1e8
2007-11-02 19:32:59 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋