i've been researching a paper for my Christian Thought and Culture class on the theology of icons and the history of the iconoclastic controversy. (a time in the 8th century where a movement rose up against the use of icons in worship and began crusading against these images, destroying any icons that crossed their paths.) it's been a great exercise for me and i chose this topic because the idea of using icons in prayer and worship intrigues me. one thing that has really struck me through this process is how our conservative evangelical protestant movement has typically been so reactionary to many issues and, in turn, has thrown the baby out with the bathwater on many occasions. the iconoclastic controversy of the 8th century was fairly unfounded, and the little basis on which it was formed was through an improper understanding of the 1st Commandment, and secondly through the rise of Islam and its influence on Christianity at that time. (Muslims believes it is wrong/impossible to capture/portray the ima
ge of God...) One of the greatest cases I'm creating in my paper (although i can't take credit for it... i must give props to St. John of Damascus and St. Theodore the Studite for this) is the fact of the incarnation. The iconoclasts claim that it is impossible to portray the image of God, however with the incarnation we have just that. Christ incarnate is the very image God, portrayed to mankind... i could go on, but i'll leave it at this to simply illustrate our tendency to go "all or nothing" on many of these issues. (i know that our main reason for rejecting the use of icons in conservative protestant worship is because of the corruption that took place within the Church prior to the Reformation, but i think this once again only serves to confirm my "baby with the bathwater" thoughts...)i guess i'm really loving the opportunity to work through this stuff and develop a biblical and historical personal theology in areas that i've never really unpacked before...
