Views on Eastern Orthodox Iconography?

[George]

I know this is one of the bigger aspects of Eastern Orthodoxy that people find either strange or heretical/blasphemous/whatever the new term is nowadays. I have no issue with icons as I use them when praying and they're all to be used in focusing our worship on God. I do agree though that it can get out of hand with how far people take the use of icons.

 

[Lamb]

I think it would be helpful if you describe "how" you use them? That could be what the issue is that others have?

 

[George]

Well for example whenever I'm praying, I'll read the prayers in front of them. One example would be the Kontakion of the Nativity which is the Nativity Hymn, I would sing that in front of an icon of Christ. They've been called focus items in that they're used to focus your attention on what you're trying to do which is give worship to God.

 

[Lamb]

Ahh...see, now there's the thing. Some people see where you wrote, "I'll read prayers in front of them" and jump to the wrong conclusion. But when you say something like "they're used to focus your attention....worship to God" then that gives a clearer picture of the intent of icons and how they're truly used in the church

 

[George]

Ahh...see, now there's the thing. Some people see where you wrote, "I'll read prayers in front of them" and jump to the wrong conclusion. But when you say something like "they're used to focus your attention....worship to God" then that gives a clearer picture of the intent of icons and how they're truly used in the church

Precisely what I mean.

 

[Tallguy88]

I love Icons. I have two, imported from Bulgaria: Christ Pantokrator and the Theotokos. And a tri-bar cross imported from Russia, I believe. And another, I'm not sure where it's from, of St. George my patron saint.

There's so much symbolism in a properly made icon, that it's both a study of art and theology.

Catholics generally prefer statues and stained glass windows, but it's basically the same concept for us, though Orthodox seem more serious about veneration icons than we do statues.

 

[Lamb]

I came across an interesting read on a Lutheran site this morning about images and how some people claim that we shouldn't use images at all. The conversation was geared toward the crucifix, but I thought of this thread and thought it fit here too. We have to remember that God in the bible told people to make images, the cherubim on the ark and the snake on the pole that Moses held up.

I think people are afraid that images lead to worship (of said images) and maybe for them it will so it is best they don't have any. But probably the majority of the people will not worship those images.

 

[psalms 91]

exactly! Images are reminders of something and are good as long as we dont worship them or turn them into something they are not

 

[Hammster]

I came across an interesting read on a Lutheran site this morning about images and how some people claim that we shouldn't use images at all. The conversation was geared toward the crucifix, but I thought of this thread and thought it fit here too. We have to remember that God in the bible told people to make images, the cherubim on the ark and the snake on the pole that Moses held up.

I think people are afraid that images lead to worship (of said images) and maybe for them it will so it is best they don't have any. But probably the majority of the people will not worship those images.

The images that God commanded them to make were not intended to be worshiped, not intended to "assist" in worship.




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[Tallguy88]

The images that God commanded them to make were not intended to be worshiped, not intended to "assist" in worship.




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What do you think they were intended for? What was their purpose?

 

[Hammster]

What do you think they were intended for? What was their purpose?

It wasn't worship. Read the texts.


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[Tallguy88]

It wasn't worship. Read the texts.


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"Read the texts" is not an answer. What do YOU say they were for?

 

[Hammster]

"Read the texts" is not an answer. What do YOU say they were for?

I agree with the text.


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[Tallguy88]

I agree with the text.


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OK.

 

[Lamb]

It wasn't worship. Read the texts.


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It wasn't worship as you say. I agree.

Yet God had these reminders of the heavenly realm put on the ark. What do you read in scripture concerning the purpose of the ark?

 

[Hammster]

The ark was a demonstration of mercy in the midst of judgement. I'm not sure how that relates to this topic, though.


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[Lamb]

The ark was a demonstration of mercy in the midst of judgement. I'm not sure how that relates to this topic, though.


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Did the people worship the ornate box that was the ark?

The connection is that God could have used a plain, wooden box, yet He chose to have it decorated. Not everything that is a reflection of God/heaven is worshiped BY people yet can be useful in pointing us to our Heavenly Father and the redemption He gives us.

 

[Hammster]

Did the people worship the ornate box that was the ark?

The connection is that God could have used a plain, wooden box, yet He chose to have it decorated. Not everything that is a reflection of God/heaven is worshiped BY people yet can be useful in pointing us to our Heavenly Father and the redemption He gives us.

Okay. God commanded that the ark be built. And He commanded the design. But He did not give any commands for the creation of icons.

Also, it was a reminder of what God has done. We don't need that reminder today. We have God's word to remind us of the cross.


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[psalms 91]

Okay. God commanded that the ark be built. And He commanded the design. But He did not give any commands for the creation of icons.

Also, it was a reminder of what God has done. We don't need that reminder today. We have God's word to remind us of the cross.


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AQlways good to look at it and know that it is a representation of some things in heaven. Also it is good to see all the reminders of Jesus in the Old.

 

[Hammster]

AQlways good to look at it and know that it is a representation of some things in heaven. Also it is good to see all the reminders of Jesus in the Old.

What is "it"?


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