The short answer is No — when understood correctly in light of Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, Early Church practices, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the Catholic use of sacred images is not idolatry, but a legitimate form of Christian devotion.
1. Understanding Exodus 20 in Context
Exodus 20:4-5 says:
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.” (NKJV)
Context matters — the commandment forbids making images for the purpose of worshiping them as gods (idolatry), not the creation of any image whatsoever. If this were an absolute prohibition, then God Himself would be contradicting His own command in later passages where He commands sacred images to be made.
2. Biblical Examples of God Commanding Sacred Images
-
Exodus 25:18-22 – God commanded Moses to make two golden cherubim for the Ark of the Covenant.
-
Numbers 21:8-9 – God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent for healing.
-
1 Kings 6:23-29 – Solomon’s Temple was filled with carved images of cherubim, palm trees, and flowers.
These examples show that God does not condemn all images, only idolatrous use of them.
3. Difference Between Worship (Latreia) and Veneration (Dulia)
Catholics distinguish:
-
Latreia – worship and adoration due to God alone.
-
Dulia – veneration given to saints and sacred images as a sign of respect, not as divine worship.
-
Hyperdulia – special veneration for the Virgin Mary due to her unique role in salvation history.
CCC 2132 explains:
"The honor paid to sacred images is a ‘respectful veneration,’ not the adoration due to God alone."
4. Early Christian Practices and Testimonies
Contrary to the claim that images are a medieval invention, early Christians used sacred images as a means of instruction and devotion.
-
Catacombs of Rome (2nd–3rd centuries) – Early Christian tombs were decorated with biblical scenes (Good Shepherd, Jonah, Eucharistic symbols).
-
St. John of Damascus (8th century) – Defender of icons:
"I do not worship matter, but I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake." (On the Divine Images)
-
Council of Nicaea II (787 AD) – Affirmed the veneration of images as part of Apostolic Tradition.
5. Bible Scholars on Sacred Images
-
F.F. Bruce, Protestant biblical scholar, admits:
“The prohibition of images in Exodus 20 refers to idols, not to artistic representations used for instruction or commemoration.” (The New Testament Documents)
-
Jaroslav Pelikan, Church historian, notes:
“Christian art and imagery were a continuation of the incarnational principle—God became visible in Christ, thus it is fitting to represent Him visibly.”
6. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
CCC 2131:
“Basing itself on the mystery of the incarnate Word, the seventh ecumenical council justified the veneration of icons—of Christ, but also of the Mother of God, the angels, and all the saints.”
CCC 1161:
“All the signs in the liturgical celebrations are related to Christ... sacred images represent the Gospel message.”
7. The Incarnation Changes Everything
When God became man in John 1:14, He took on a visible, tangible form. Colossians 1:15 calls Christ “the image of the invisible God.” Since Christ was seen, touched, and known, representing Him in sacred art is consistent with the Gospel.
Conclusion
The Catholic Church’s use of sacred images is deeply biblical, rooted in early Christian tradition, affirmed by Church Fathers, supported by Bible scholars, and clearly explained in the Catechism. Far from being idolatry, sacred images are a visual proclamation of the Gospel and a reminder of our heavenly family.
Read also: What is The Church that Christ Founded?; How can one find the Church Christ founded today?; Is the Roman Catholic Church Worship images or idols?; Protestants say Mary is no longer needed because Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. Is that true?
No comments:
Post a Comment