Why the Church Defends Holy Icons
The Church defends holy icons because they are seen as essential to affirming the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the central doctrine of Christianity. According to Orthodox and Catholic theology, since God became incarnate in Jesus Christ—taking on real human flesh—there is no longer a theological barrier to depicting Him in material form. This belief is rooted in the idea that the material world, sanctified by the Incarnation, can serve as a conduit for divine presence and spiritual truth. The veneration of icons is not worship (latria), which is reserved for God alone, but a form of honor (dulia) that is directed toward the holy person depicted, with the understanding that the honor given to the image passes to its prototype.
This theological foundation was formally established during the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD, which condemned iconoclasm—the destruction of religious images—and affirmed that icons are legitimate and necessary for teaching and inspiring devotion. The council declared that icons, like the cross and the Gospels, deserve equal veneration because they proclaim the same message of salvation. The defense of icons is thus not merely about art or tradition, but about safeguarding the truth of Christ’s humanity and divinity, which are inseparable.
The Church also emphasizes that icons are not idols; they do not possess divine power in themselves, nor are they objects of worship. Instead, they are spiritual tools that help believers focus their prayers, remember the saints, and participate in the communion of saints. The veneration of icons is deeply tied to the sacramental worldview of the Church, where the physical and spiritual realms intersect, allowing the presence of God and the saints to be experienced in the here and now. This is especially evident in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical tradition, where icons are central to worship and are believed to mediate the personal presence of Christ and the saints.
Historically, the defense of icons was a matter of life and death, as thousands of iconodules (those who venerate icons) were martyred during the Iconoclastic Controversy, which lasted over a century. The triumph of Orthodoxy in 843, commemorated annually on the first Sunday of Great Lent, marked the definitive victory of the Church’s position that icons are necessary for authentic Christian faith and practice. As such, the Church maintains that without icons, the fullness of Christian doctrine—particularly the Incarnation—cannot be properly proclaimed or understood.
What Does The KJV Bible Say?
The Catholic and Orthodox Churches defend the use of holy icons and religious images by interpreting the biblical commandments against graven images in context, emphasizing that the prohibition is not against images per se, but against idolatry—worshipping images or treating them as divine. This interpretation is supported by several key passages from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, which are cited to show that God Himself commanded the creation of images for religious purposes, and that the commandment specifically forbids bowing down to or serving (worshipping) images, not their mere existence.
| Biblical Passage (KJV) | Context and Interpretation | Supporting Evidence from Context |
| Exodus 20:4–5: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them…” | The commandment prohibits the worship of images, not their creation. The key issue is not the image itself, but the act of adoration or service directed toward it. The use of “bow down” and “serve” as a hendiadys (two words expressing one idea) indicates that the focus is on idolatrous worship, not on physical representation. | The Catholic Church clarifies that God did not prohibit statues outright, but specifically forbade their adoration. The same commandment is later followed by God commanding the creation of cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant, which were to be venerated as part of divine worship. |
| Exodus 25:18–19: “And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat… And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another…” | God explicitly commanded the making of cherubim (angels) as part of the Ark of the Covenant, which was the holiest object in Israelite worship. This demonstrates that images of heavenly beings were not only permitted but required for sacred purposes. | The presence of cherubim on the Ark shows that God Himself sanctioned the use of images in religious worship, contradicting a literalist interpretation of Exodus 20. |
| Numbers 21:8–9: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole…” | God commanded the creation of a bronze serpent to heal those bitten by serpents. The people were to look upon it for healing, not worship it. This image served as a type of Christ, illustrating how God uses physical objects to convey spiritual healing. | The serpent was not an object of worship but a means of divine healing. This shows that images can be instruments of God’s grace without being idols. |
| 1 Kings 6:23–35: “And he made two cherubims of olivewood, and their wings were ten cubits… And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims, and palm trees, and open flowers…” | Solomon built the Temple with extensive carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and flowers—images of things “in heaven above,” “in the earth beneath,” and “in the water under the earth”—all approved by God. After completion, God declared He was pleased with the temple. | This passage demonstrates that God permitted and even commanded the use of images in sacred spaces, refuting the idea that all images are forbidden. |
| Colossians 1:15: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature…” | Christ is described as the “image” (Greek: icon) of God, meaning He is the visible representation of the invisible divine. This theological foundation allows for the depiction of Christ in art, as He has taken on a visible human form. | Since Christ became incarnate, Christians can make images of Him, unlike ancient Israelites who had no visible form of God to depict. |
| Ephesians 3:15: “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named…” | This verse indicates that human fatherhood is a reflection of God the Father, making it theologically acceptable to represent God as a father in religious art. | The concept of fatherhood as an image of God supports the use of paternal imagery in icons and religious art. |
In summary, the Church defends holy icons by arguing that the biblical prohibition in Exodus 20:4–5 is not against all images, but against idolatry—worshipping images as gods. The commandments themselves are fulfilled in the creation of sacred images like the cherubim on the Ark, the bronze serpent, and the Temple carvings, all of which were divinely approved. The Incarnation of Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, provides the theological basis for depicting divine and saintly figures in art, as these images serve to honor the person represented and direct devotion to God, not to the image itself.
As You seek understanding and clarity in your life you should always turn to your Heavenly Father for Guidance
Table of Contents
- Youtube Video (Todays Message)
- Are You Your Own Worst Enemy?
- Women are looking for a fathers love
- Spiritual Order – In The Family and Church
- How God Commands Us To Forgive Those Who We Have Resentment Toward
- Join Our Newsletter
- Top Seven Articles
- Our Mission Statement
- Our Vision
- Tithing And Giving!
When Tithing please give what you feel is good to the amount we are helping you in your spiritual life.
Here is a YouTube video to help theses who need to understand someone explaining the important message, the YouTube video is called, “Why the Church Defends Holy Icons”, This video is with
Patristic Nectar YouTube Channel:
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This is a major important point about forgiveness
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. -MATTHEW 5:24 KJV
Are You Your Own Worst Enemy?
I would start out by saying what Jesus Christ would want us to do? Pray and how should we pray? The Lord’s Prayer, and how often should we pray? Continually. Why do we use the Lord’s Prayer and not some other? The Lord’s Prayer covers all the areas that is important for our spiritual being.
When we pray the Lords prayer we ask to forgive our enemies, let God’s will be done, the kingdom to come. By praying the Lord’s prayer we let go of many thoughts we have in our head and give them back to God so we can have things revealed to us.
We must overcome resentment in our heart, and in a past video I shared about Dr. Jordan Peterson talks about how resentment can destroy us and we become our own very worst enemy and Jordan goes on to say that we must talk to people what we have resentment toward to overcome that resentment. Other people who lived in the past who talked about this is Jesus Christ and someone who is living now who talks about this daily is Brother Augustine, Dr. John MacArthur, Dr. Charles Stanley, Rev. John Piper and Pastor Paul Washer.
Women are looking for a fathers love
Women are looking for a fathers love. Its important that men understand women are looking for a fathers love and not get screwed. Woman more than anything are looking for a strong spiritual man to lead the future (the family). I think in many YouTube videos on biblical teachings, how young women are being hurt by men that are just looking to get laid instead of doing right and being in Christ and setting a good example of a strong man. We must be in Christ, hate no one, love all, forgave theses we resent, love what is right and support people who are walking with God.
Women need their fathers in their lives to be strong man to be good examples and not BETA men or weak examples of what a man should be. Its important that a man leads the way as Christ leads men, we as man need to fellow Jesus Christ to keep society from going to HELL.
Every day you can see or people watch how some men and women our living in hell without the right spiritual order then you will continue your hellish way according to 2 Peter. You can also find it in Romans. God will give you over to a reprobate mind.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. – Romans 1:28 (KJV)
In Romans 1, Paul refers to something known as a reprobate mind. If you’re not familiar with the term reprobate, the literal definition in the Greek is failing to pass the test, unapproved, counterfeit.
Spiritual Order – In The Family and Church
God the father
Jesus Christ
Father (Men over women)
Mother (Women over children)
Here is Book, Chapter and Verse from the Kings James Version 1 Corinthian 11:2-16, But the main message is in 1 Corinthian 11:3: “3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
A Woman Conferring The Spiritual Order According to Saint Paul And How The War On The Family Is Being Wage
How You Treat People Is Who You Are! On Judgement Day You Will Be Judged How You Treated The Less Fortunate (Open Letter)
New Social Contract To Save The West!
Should America And The Western World Have A New Social Contract? (Open Letter)
Father’s Rights
GARBAGE GENERATION
GARBAGE GENERATION By Daniel Amneus
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Back to Patriarchy!
Back to Patriarchy! by Daniel Amneus
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How God Commands Us To Forgive Those Who We Have Resentment Toward.
All of us are tested everyday by our personal internal struggle coming from resentment of what happened earlier in our lives as children typically what our mother did to us, telling how our fathers were not good enough or driving us away from our fathers when we were children. We most go to the people that we have resentment against and forgive them. By forgiving our mothers or whoever we have resentment against, God will forgive us and we can return to the heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It was said if you don’t love everyone then you love no one. People today live like the Old Testament people did. We must forgive and love everyone as God Commanded us to do according to Matthew 22:34-40.
After Reading The Passage I would Recommend Doing A Silent Prayer
Its is said: Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 King James Version (KJV)
Jesus is an example of a Fathers loves
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In a world where it is so easy to forget the importance of God, we must remember that He is holy and will not share His glory. America has forgotten this truth and it is time for us to re-examine our relationship with God and recognize that He is the one true God who deserves our full devotion and reverence. We must remember that He will not be taken lightly or ignored, but rather should be honored as the Creator of all things. Only then can we truly experience His love and grace in our lives.
America Has Forgotten! That God The Father Is Holy And He Will Not Share His Glory!
God Reveals Himself
Click the link about a PDF how God reveals himself to you: God Reveals and Satan Speaks to you!
Our Mission Statement
Uniting men of good character who, though of different ethnic or social backgrounds, share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind. Bring Men back to the Father and sharing the biblical view of the Heavenly Father.
Our Vision
By returning to our heavenly father God thru the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we can rebuilt the family, once the man is recognized as the head of the family and household. Partner with us as we develop a community, mission, and leadership support for the men of today.
Now is the time for a new movement of men. As brothers, fathers let’s become who we’re created to be, knowing our identity, purpose, and destiny in Christ. Then let’s do, linking arms to change the world for good … and for God. Help bring transformation and revival to our families, churches, and communities.
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Conclusion
Hope this post was helpful to you and that you have a very successful Daily Bible Study with your friends and family! Check out the other sections of my blog for more tips on MadeManMinistries.
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