## connect up to discussion of images

In a culture filled with idols, the Ante-Nicene fathers were right to distrust pictures and statues. But to make their distrust into a dominant mood for all times and places is to over-react. This wouldn’t be the first issue which Tertullian and Jerome carried to an extreme in their laudable austerity.

The Orthodox are right, as well, that “venerating” an image is not necessarily worship, and can be a good and healthy prompt for the memory and affections. I have a picture of my wife. I may be found with it at times, sighing with affection and even kissing the image. This is not worship; this is affection, which infuses the word “veneration”. I don’t think God is threatened or offended.

This can be carried too far. The Mary cult, in some forms, has replaced Jesus with His mother and there’s no indication

I am some flavor of Protestant, but I have a painting of the Christ Pantocrator ikon in my study. I may, at times, have sent a profound bow toward the picture.  This is an expression of my affection for Jesus.  If this ends up my worst offense, I will have done well.