Should Icons Be
Used in Worship?


1. Woman kissing a religious icon; 2. Religious icons


1. Woman kissing a religious icon; 2. Religious icons


Greek island of Tínos. Thousands gather in veneration of Mary the
mother of Jesus and of her icon, which is believed to possess
miraculous powers.* A Greek Orthodox reference work explains: "With


men and women--for our spiritual and bodily needs . . . With deep
piety we kiss and venerate their holy relics and sacred icons."


Many other professed Christians belong to denominations that engage in
similar acts of worship. But is the use of icons in worship supported
by Bible teachings?


(1 Thessalonians 1:9) Clearly, those Christians would have had the
same view of icons as John and Paul did.


Adoption of Icons by "Christians"


How, then, did the use of icons become so popular? The Britannica
continues: "About the mid-3rd century an incipient pictorial art began


accordance with the cult of the emperor," explains John Taylor in his
book Icon Painting, "people worshipped his portrait painted on canvas
or wood, and from thence to the veneration of icons was a small step."


book Icon Painting, "people worshipped his portrait painted on canvas
or wood, and from thence to the veneration of icons was a small step."
Thus pagan worship of pictures was replaced by the veneration of


and truth." (John 4:24) So when a sincere person seeks to know the
truth about the use of icons in worship, he has to turn to God's Word
for enlightenment on the subject.


for them." (Hebrews 7:25) It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we
should approach God. No other person, and certainly no lifeless icon,
can substitute for him. Such knowledge from God's Word can help anyone


* Generally, a religious icon is a representation or symbol venerated
by members of a particular religion. In the Eastern Orthodox Church,


Trinity, "saints," angels or, as in the case mentioned above, Mary the
mother of Jesus. Millions of people have a reverence for icons that
resembles the attitude that many have toward images used in worship.


Certain religions that do not claim to be Christian hold similar
beliefs and feelings toward icons and images of their deities.