Refuting The Use Of Objects In Worship

• Introduction: 

          -The Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church says, "Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, “the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype,” and “whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it” (Paragraph 2132).

          -Catholics regularly bow down before statues and icons of Christian figures. They kiss at the feet of them and pray to the people that the items represent. Some even roll in front of statues, shower flowers on them, light candles before them, carry statues in procession, and change the clothing on them daily. In Roman Catholic churches, there are numerous paintings of Jesus, Mary, Peter, and canonized saints. There is an abundance of religious iconography. Catholics sing worship psalms to various saints and wear amulets with pictures of Mary on them.

          -"Owing to the influence of the Old Testament prohibition of images, Christian veneration of images developed only after the victory of the Church over paganism. The Synod of Elvira (about 306) still prohibited figurative representations in the houses of God (Can. 36)." (Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p. 320)

          -Roman Catholic scholar Rachel Bundang said the following: "Christianity emerged from Judaism, which itself rejected figurative religious art as being too much like idol worship (see Ex 20:3). But once Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine in the 4th century CE, it was not long before Roman practices of portraying and honoring the divine (their gods and emperors) would make their way into Christian practices as well."

          -"Moses ages before enacted expressly, that neither a graven, nor molten, nor moulded, nor painted likeness should be made; so that we may not cleave to things of sense, but pass to intellectual objects: for familiarity with the sight disparages the reverence of what is divine; and to worship that which is immaterial by matter, is to dishonour it by sense." (Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 5.5)

          -"And make counterfeit images of Christ, alleging that these were in existence at the time (during which our Lord was on earth, and that they were fashioned) by Pilate." (Hippolytus, The Refutation of All Heresies 7.20)

• The Case Against The Use Of Statues, Images, And Relics In Worship:

          -Actions such as kneeling (in religious contexts) and prayer are defined as worship according to the Bible (Exodus 20:5; Isaiah 44:17; 45:20; Matthew 4:9-10; 6:6-14; Philippians 2:10). The apostles refused to accept honor as people knelt before them (Acts 10:25-26; 14:13-15), reflecting strict Jewish monotheistic sensitivities. Even the angels who served God did not want people bowing down before them in adoration (Revelation 4:10; 19:10; 22:8-9). Offering such devotion to entities other than God is idolatry, improper reverence to persons or things that are not fit to receive it. 
          -God clearly condemned making figures for the purpose of giving religious devotion to beings other than Him (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 4:15-24; 2 Chronicles 33:6-7). Further, the Apostle Paul specifically said that God is not served with physical objects (Acts 17:23-25). God said that He would not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). We are not to worship Him like the pagans do with their gods. That kind of reverence is offensive to God.

• A Valid Practice In The New Testament?:

          -In the New Testament, we are never given permission to use statues as an aid in worship. Jesus and the apostles, who laid the foundation for Christianity, are never seen as accepting or approving of such behavior, much less there being religious devotion offered to the deceased or to entities other than God Himself. Idols defile the worship of our Creator. There are also different forms of idolatry (Ephesians 5:5-7), highlighting the importance of pure religious devotion. In fact, the only time that we see people prostrating themselves before icons and statues in the biblical record are the unfaithful and unbelieving. Thus, only pagans worship as pagans worship. The issue is not the existence of images themselves, but using them in the worship of God. That is not something which Christians do.

• Veneration Or Worship?:

          -When it is claimed that Roman Catholics worship Mary and the saints, they often object that they are simply venerating (i.e. giving honor to) them. This idea is elaborated on by dividing given exaltation into three distinct categories (using Latin): latria (God alone), hyperdulia (Mary alone), and dulia (saints and angels). These philosophical distinctions were obviously designed to protect the worship that only God deserves, but their effectiveness is a separate matter.
          -Even granting that this argument is internally consistent, it is theoretical only. In addition, occupying distinct categories of honor does not change the essence of what is being done. Catholics still offer prayer to mere creatures. They still prostrate themselves before images of Mary or various men of high esteem. This kind of reverence belongs exclusively to God. Philosophical speculation becomes dangerous especially when it is allowed to be treated as if it were given by God Himself, when the simple reality is that it came from the minds of men for the express purpose of excusing themselves of their errors. Every instance of religious veneration recorded in Scripture by a faithful and believing person is directed to God alone. That point is not without significance. We would do well to remember that God is a jealous God. He does not take the issue of worship lightly, and failing to worship Him properly invites divine judgment.

• The Type Of Honor Which Is Appropriate To Give To Men:

          -We ought to give honor to those who are truly deserving of it. In secular contexts, bowing is often a custom of respect toward authority, of which God instituted. However, there is no evidence of Him ordaining that a person represented by a statue be the recipient of proper dues. Nor is it wrong to have pieces of art for decoration or pictures that we cherish. In fact, God can use images to communicate divine truths. It is acceptable to honor believers from the past by acknowledging their faith and following their moral example (Hebrews 11). On the other hand, building statues of such people with the intent of bowing down before them and offering prayer to them transcends honor. Such behavior is idolatrous because it belongs rightfully to God alone.

• Does The Creation Of The Bronze Serpent Support Bowing Before Statues In Worship (Numbers 21:6-9)?:

          -God commanded Moses to make the bronze serpent for a one time purpose (John 3:14-16). However, the Israelites converted it into an object of worship. It ended up getting destroyed by King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3-4). There is no biblical evidence that the bronze serpent was ever supposed to be used as an aid in worship.

• Does The Creation Of The Two Cherubs Support Bowing Before Statues In Worship (Exodus 25:18)?:

          -God commanded the making of two golden cherubs, but the Jews were never called to bow down before or pay homage to them. The real argument is not the existence of statues or other forms of art, but the intent in crafting them and their use.

• Does The Creation Of The Ark Of The Covenant Support Bowing Before Statues In Worship (Joshua 7:6-7)?:

          -God ordered the Israelites to make the ark so that He could dwell in their presence and meet with the leaders (Exodus 25:8; 22). But why does the ark have two images of angels (Exodus 25:18-21)? It has them because it is a replica of God's throne in heaven (Isaiah 6:1-2). This is further evidenced by the fact that the ark of the covenant also served as a footstool for the "feet" of the Lord (1 Chronicles 28:2). Unlike the ark, the images used in Roman Catholic veneration represent alleged saints.