Why icon veneration looks like idol worship to Protestants

[Tytheband]

That’s basically what I’ve discovered for myself. I realized one day that I’ve spent 20 years essentially only high-fiving God and thinking that was worship. It turned out that singing alone is not worship, sacrifice is a necessary component - and now I regularly take the Holy Eucharist aka the Body & Blood of Christ!

[TheBillyDWilliams]

I'm a catechumen coming from evangelicalism so I'm really immersing myself in these issues lately. Thanks for adding to the conversation!

[stergiosstergios]

The same Protestants who cover their walls with photos of their loved ones?

[thethikboy]

why icon veneration is a euphemism for worship.

[fricasee]

I just am not seeing how this answers the question of icon veneration. This seems to address the idea of Eucharist, but not icon veneration. I am interested in the answer, but I'm not seeing it from this explanation. It is a good explanation of the importance of the Eucharist. I'm sorry if I'm missing something.

[marincusman]

Very interesting! I like the connection of sacrifice and worship, hadn’t thought of it in that way but makes perfect sense!

- conservative Pentecostal very interested in orthodoxy

[johnflorio]

Religious art is vitally important. Most people are visual learners for example but, in the earliest centuries of Christianity the vast majority of people were illiterate. Having the Bible read to them was nice, of course, but seeing depictions of Jesus or Mary, for example, made the Bible come to life. Stained glass windows do the same. So does the crucifix.

We do not worship these things; they remind us of the original.

[Learnerofthings]

Because it is. We don’t venerates sinners. We exalt the Lord. We praise the Lord. And we worship the Lord.

[jaanabanana]

I have a genuine question about iconography and praying to the saints as a protestant looking into Orthodoxy. As an artist I understand how important imagery is. What I understand is that Orthodox Christians use icons to visually, mentally, and emotionally connect with the reality of the heavenly realm and the saints that have gone before us. That said, is it relevant to say it’s not necessary to venerate icons if that connection isn’t made by you mentally..?
Also I just can’t quite reconcile the idea of prayers to the saints. I know it’s practiced in the Orthodox church (to what degree I’m still unaware), but it just doesn’t sit well with my spirit knowing that our Jewish brothers/sisters (also the disciples of Jesus) didn’t have a practice of praying to any saints like Moses or Elijah to my knowledge, and Jesus also being of Jewish roots always prayed to and encouraged prayer to the Father, as is testified through scripture. The only exception being that we now pray in Jesus’ name, Him being our High Priest forever(Hebrews 7:23-24). I think I can agree that the saint are made aware of things happening on earth, and that they make prayers for us (Rev 5:8) but the idea of asking things of others instead of God Himself who is sufficient for all just doesn’t seem right.. Sorry lengthy comment, I know. But if there’s any Orthodox brothers/sisters willing to help me better understand I’d be so very thankful🙏🏻

[theduke]

It looks like idol worship…because it is

[gabrielbridges]

Iconography is a clear historical accretion. There is so much counter data for the ante nicene fathers and even post nicea with Eusebius telling the emperors wife who requested a icon of Jesus that she should know better because all churches strictly prohibit this. It’s a joke and should not even be taken seriously.

[m.m]

Love your channel but I fail to see how this answered the posed question.

[FLBJOJO]

if you run into any Hebrew-Israelites & have the “debate” or conversation with them please record it brother. i’m interested to see how they would respond to you & your bringing of the information

though i have seen them call it “esoteric” & “fancy wording/mystical who-hah” & ending the convo after that

[jamesmartinez]

As someone who’s converting to orthodox, I can say one thing that confuses me about icons is that exodus 20:4-5 talk about not making an imagine and bowing to it or worshiping it, I understand that orthodox don’t worship icons, they do however, clearly now to them, this is what’s confusing to me

[ReignCalebDNueva]

**modern** protestants the original and historical protestants like lutherans still use icons

[Yela]

What does he mean when he says protestant worship service is veneration?

[kyleellis]

Great video brother. I suggest looking into the Catholic Church as well.

[KristiLEvans]

It’s a 7th C. accretion. We can’t have icons in Protestantism, therefore, their use is going to be foreign to all Prots who haven’t studied Catholicism or Orthodoxy.

[gambalombo]

Exodus 20:4-5 KJV Specifically attention to verse 5, in the case of icons.

[sraveiryorkshire]

Well for the first point:
The second Commandment states “Do now create idols, do not BOW DOWN TO or worship them.” Therefore having idols at all, even without worship, is immoral and outlawed.
Secondly:
Jesus sacrificed himself ONCE saying “It is finished.”
He died once for all and his work has been made as stone.
Much love brother! May the peace of Christ be with you. 🙏