Icons and John of Damascus
Developments in the East
Christianity in Roman Empire is fairly unified to
451
Four ecumenical councils, incl. Nicea and Chalcedon
But there is a growing rift between East and
West
Language barriers lead to misunderstandings
Empire divided into halves (W and E)
Growing authority of bishop of Rome in West
Different controversies define East
Separation of East and West
1054: each condemns the other
Issue #1: Papal authority
Issue #2: Filioque inserted into Creed
Original creed (381 Council of Constantinople): “The
Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father.”
Western addition (anti-Arian): “The Holy Spirit
proceeds from the Father and the Son.”
Problems
Theology of Trinity
Authority of an ecumenical council disregarded
East is not consulted
Icons
Accepted Orthodox icons
Christ of Mt. Sinai:
http://www.pitt.edu/AFShome/s/o/sorc/public/html/
ocfellow/icons/jcsinai.jpg
Rublev icon
(http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/rutri
n.jpg
NOT accepted:
http://www.wga.hu/art/r/ribera/1/trinity.jpg ( 2
men and a bird)
Iconoclast controversy
Issue: is it OK to revere icons?
Iconoclasts
Argue kissing, bowing before icons is
idolatrous
Must distinguish reality and sign
Eastern emperor interferes, orders icons to be
destroyed
Theology of icons
Iconodules
Icons are an extension of Christ’s incarnation
Therefore, what was once idolatry (OT
reverence for idols) is now OK
Iconodule monks exiled or forced to marry
Lex orandi, lex credendi: liturgical practice of
lay people must be considered in forming
doctrine
John of Damascus
Distinguish forms of worship
Adoration: for God alone
Veneration: for saints, icons, etc.
But, can adore God (Christ) as represented in icon
Incarnation changes God’s relationship to creation
God CAN be depicted visually, but only as Christ
All of creation is redeemed by Christ
Appropriate to use creation to glorify God
Anti-Jewish arguments prominent
Prone to idolatry, superstitious, carnal
For next time: Crusades
1095: Why did Christians decide to fight
Muslims in the Holy Land?
How were they motivated to go?
What did they do in the First Crusade of
1096?