View of icons

[Patristic]

I was having a discussion the other day with a few protestant friends about iconography. The question came up as to how other protestant groups viewed icons and I wasn't too sure about the Lutheran response. I know Zwingli and Calvin were pretty iconoclastic, but I figured Luther probably sought out more of a via media since his views weren't as extreme as the other reformers. Can anyone give me any insights or quotes? Any answers would be appreciated.

[ByzantineDixie]

I was having a discussion the other day with a few protestant friends about iconography. The question came up as to how other protestant groups viewed icons and I wasn't too sure about the Lutheran response. I know Zwingli and Calvin were pretty iconoclastic, but I figured Luther probably sought out more of a via media since his views weren't as extreme as the other reformers. Can anyone give me any insights or quotes? Any answers would be appreciated.I would summarize what I know of Luther's position to be "they can be beneficial but they are certainly not required for salvation" Here are a couple of references that will give you a flavor for his position...

The Case for Icons...


I thought it expedient to add to the Personal Prayer Book the old “Book of the Passion,” especially for the sake of children and simple people who are more apt to retain the divine stories when taught by picture and parable than merely by words or instruction. As St. Mark testifies, Christ also preached in ordinary parables for the sake of simple-minded folk [Mark 4:11].

I have added a few other stories from the Bible along with verses from the text so that both may be retained more firmly. I hope that this may mark a beginning and set an example for others to follow and to improve upon as their talents allow.

I do not think it wrong to paint such stories along with the verses on the walls of rooms and chambers so that one might have God’s words and deeds constantly in view and thus encourage fear and faith toward God. And what harm would there be if someone were to illustrate the important stories of the entire Bible in their proper order for a small book which might become known as a layman’s Bible? Indeed, one cannot bring God’s words and deeds too often to the attention of the common man.

Even if God’s word is sung and said, preached and proclaimed, written and read, illustrated and pictured, Satan and his cohorts are always strong and alert for hindering and supressing God’s word. Hence our project and concern is not only useful, but necessary—in fact, very badly needed.

I don’t care if the iconoclasts condemn and reject this. They do not need our advice and we don’t want theirs, so it is easy for us to part company. I have always condemned and criticized the misuse of [religious] pictures and the false confidence placed in them and all the rest. But whatever is no misuse of pictures I have always permitted and urged the use of for beneficial and edifying results. This is the way we teach our common people; those clever fellows shall be neither our pupils nor our masters. May Christ be with an who believe in him and love him. Amen.

[Here followed the woodcuts with Luther’s captions].

Luther, M. (1999, c1968). Vol. 43: Luther's works, vol. 43 : Devotional Writings II (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.More of the same...



I have myself seen and heard the iconoclasts read out of my German Bible. I know that they have it and read out of it, as one can easily determine from the words they use. Now there are a great many pictures in those books, both of God, the angels, men and animals, especially in the Revelation of John and in Moses and Joshua. So now we would kindly beg them to permit us to do what they themselves do. Pictures contained in these books we would paint on walls for the sake of remembrance and better understanding, since they do no more harm on walls than in books. It is to be sure better to paint pictures on walls of how God created the world, how Noah built the ark, and whatever other good stories there may be, than to paint shameless worldly things. Yes, would to God that I could persuade the rich and the mighty that they would permit the whole Bible to be painted on houses, on the inside and outside, so that all can see it. That would be a Christian work.



Luther, M. (1999, c1958). Vol. 40: Luther's works, vol. 40 : Church and Ministry II (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

The case against those who mandate the use of icons...



32 We certainly had weighty reasons for presenting this article, for it is clear that many foolish opinions about traditions have crept into the church. Some have thought that human traditions are devotions necessary for meriting justification. Later they debated how it happened that they had come to worship God in so many ways, as though these observances were really acts of devotion rather than outward rules of discipline, completely unrelated to the righteousness of the heart or the worship of God. For good and valid reasons, these vary according to the circumstances, one way or another. Similarly, some churches have excommunicated others because of such traditions as the observance of Easter, the use of icons, and the like. From this the uninitiated have concluded that there can be no righteousness of the heart before God without these observances. On this issue there are many foolish books by the summists and others.1 (http://www.christianforums.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=9978168#_ftn2)



33 But as the different length of day and night does not harm the unity of the church, so we believe that the true unity of the church is not harmed by differences in rites instituted by men, although we like it when universal rites are observed for the sake of tranquility. So in our churches we willingly observe the order of the Mass, the Lord’s day, and the other more important feast days. With a very thankful spirit we cherish the useful and ancient ordinances, especially when they contain a discipline that serves to educate and instruct the people and the inexperienced. 34 Now, we are not discussing whether it is profitable to observe them for the sake of tranquility or bodily profit. Another issue is involved. The question is whether the observance of human traditions is an act of worship necessary for righteousness before God. This must be settled in this controversy, and only then can we decide whether it is necessary for the true unity of the church that human traditions be alike everywhere. If human traditions are not acts of worship necessary for righteousness before God, it follows that somebody can be righteous and a child of God even if he does not observe traditions that have been maintained elsewhere.

Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

Does this help clarify Luther's position for you?

Peace

Rose

[Qoheleth]

Rose,

Very complete. I have to laugh, I was just today reading about the same topic.

[Patristic]

Very good that was extremely helpful. I figured his position was such, but I wasn't sure and wanted some verification. Thank you!