Grappling with Graven Images: Religious Symbols in Worship
> The use of images and crosses in Christian worship has been a topic of debate and divergence throughout church history. Jehovah’s Witnesses are among those who abstain from the use of religious images and symbols, including the cross, due to their interpretation of scriptural directives against idolatry.
This article seeks to explore the biblical foundations and historical considerations that inform various Christian stances on this issue, providing a thoughtful response to the question posed by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Position
Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain that the use of religious images, icons, and symbols, such as the cross, is inconsistent with biblical teachings. They reference the second of the Ten Commandments, which prohibits the making of graven images for worship (Exodus 20:4-5), and they assert that early Christians did not use the cross in their worship. Furthermore, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the cross is a pagan symbol that was later adopted by Christendom and thus should be rejected by true Christians.
A Christian Response:
The Christian response to the use of images and crosses in worship varies across denominations and theological traditions. Here are some key points that contribute to the broader Christian perspective on this issue:
– Historical Context of the Second Commandment
While the second commandment prohibits the creation of idols, the historical context suggests that the command was specifically against the worship of images as deities, a common practice among Israel’s neighbors. Many Christians argue that as long as images or symbols, such as the cross, are not objects of worship themselves but are used as tools to focus on the worship of God, they do not violate this commandment.
– Incarnation Theology
The doctrine of the Incarnation, which holds that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14), is a significant theological consideration. This central Christian belief has been used to support the use of images in worship, as it signifies that God has made Himself visible and tangible in Jesus. Therefore, some argue that visual representations can serve as reminders of God’s incarnation and His work in the world.
– Early Church Practices
Historical evidence shows that early Christians did use symbols, including the fish (ichthys) and the anchor, as secret signs of identification. The cross, as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice and victory over death, became more prominently displayed in Christian art and worship after the legalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire. However, the use of the cross and other images has evolved over time and remains a point of contention.
– Iconoclasm and Iconodulism
The debate over religious images led to the period of Iconoclasm in the 8th and 9th centuries, during which icons were destroyed in parts of the Christian world. The Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD) eventually affirmed the veneration (not worship) of icons based on the distinction between worship due to God alone (latreia) and veneration offered to images (proskynesis). This distinction is still upheld in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
– Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation brought a renewed focus on the second commandment and led to the removal of images and relics from places of worship by some reformers. This iconoclastic tendency was motivated by the desire to return to a simple, biblical form of worship and to eliminate any potential for idolatry.
– Contemporary Christian Practice
Today, Christian denominations vary in their use of images and crosses. Some, like many Protestants, use the cross as a simple reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, while others, like Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, employ a wider range of religious art and iconography in their worship spaces and practices.
– Personal Conscience and Worship
The New Testament emphasizes the role of personal conscience in matters of faith that are not central to salvation (Romans 14:1-23). This principle allows for a diversity of practices among Christians regarding the use of images and crosses in worship, as long as these practices do not lead others into sin or become a stumbling block.
Conclusion
In response to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ concerns about the use of religious images and the cross in worship, the broader Christian community provides a range of perspectives grounded in biblical interpretation, theological reflection, and historical tradition. While some Christians share similar reservations about the potential for idolatry, others embrace the use of religious art and symbols as expressions of faith and aids to worship, always with the caution that such images are not to be worshiped. The cross, in particular, holds a special place as a symbol of the Christian faith, representing the love, sacrifice, and victory of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, Christians are called to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24), and the use of religious symbols is considered by many to be a matter of personal conviction and tradition, rather than a prescriptive element of the Christian faith.
