Sacred Art is not Idolatry
October 30th, 2008 by Menachem Wecker
“Father Joe,” a.k.a. Father Joseph Jenkins, pastor of Holy Family Church in Mitchellville, Maryland, has a great post on religious art and idolatry. He correctly points out that the “prohibition against images was never absolute,” and he rallies four biblical references to prove his point (three OT and one NT). Here’s the money quote:
It is peculiar that some critics will oppose the Church’s use of sacred art and yet they often have trophies, statuary, toy dolls, photographs, and paintings in their homes. Images that inspire faith and remind us of particularly holy and courageous members of our faith are no more wrong than such pictures of family and friends in our homes.
This all gets messy though if we ask ourselves whether images are religious requirements. I’ve had a lot of religious folks tell me that they worry about the temptation of religious art, and if someone genuinely wants to avoid art so as not to fall on an idolatrous path, it’s hard to know what to respond to that. Father Joe, if you are reading this, I’d love to hear more about your thoughts on this topic…
Father Joe Says
The temptation to worship man-made objects still remains, but is less likely within the Christian context. Idolatry is more likely in terms of science or in the hero worship of sports figures and entertainment celebrities. I have seen countless shrines to Elvis! It is also present in the occult, which makes sense because the devil is a creature who craves divine worship.
Certain fundamentalist protestants claim that Catholics are idolaters, not simply because of our iconography and statues, but because of the Eucharist. If one does not believe that the Blessed Sacrament is truly Jesus Christ, the Son of God, then this charge is quite understandable. We bend the knee, use incense, and offer adoration to the host. We believe that it has been transformed by God. Non-believers would just say that we are peculiar or touched in the head because we worship stale bread.
I am reminded of a soldier in Iraq who cradles a picture of his sweetheart every night. He talks to the photo and he kisses it. He holds it to his chest and says a prayer for her safety and happiness. The picture is a wonderful relic and he guards it; however, after all is said and done, he would much rather have the flesh-and-blood girl in his arms. People know the difference between a picture or representation of a loved one and the real thing.
I have cared for elderly people with houses cluttered with holy cards, religious paintings and cheap plaster statues. However, at the end of their lives, they could not care less for the trappings; they longed to see the Lord Jesus face to face. Again, modern people of faith know the difference.
Oct 30th, 2008 at 4:11 pm