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.