The issue of whether or not to allow a representation of god or gods has been a central issue in Christianity through history. This issue has played a big part in the Byzantine Empire, alternatively known as the Eastern Roman Empire. Consequently, iconoclasm entitled to a division between Eastern and Western churches, specifically between the 8th and 9th century. Nevertheless, the implication of this issue has occurred because of political, economic and religious ideas. Even today, the idea of being for or against the idea of idolatry is one of the most argumentative problems in society. This paper is intended to explain both side of views of why icons and imagery were either good or bad in the eyes of Christ and also explain why people were
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Specifically, two divisions have been identified, characterizing the views of what idolatry plays in political roles. First, Iconoclasts, referred to people against idolatry, which were commonly poor Eastern churches, sought to believe that idolatry was only used as form of political power. 1Second, Iconolaters, referred to people for idolatry and imagery, which were commonly wealthy Western churches, sought to portray idolatry and imagery as a form resembling the iconic theory of incarnation and benevolent autocracy of God’s Kingdom.2 David T. Koyzis clearly discusses these issues throughout his article, “Imaging God and His Kingdom: Eastern Orthodoxies Iconic Political Ethic”, revealing certain political reasons on why Eastern and Western churches either supported or abolished idea of imagery.3 The Western church of the Byzantine Empire used imagery and icons as a way to symbolize God, specifically by using their form of government.4 Evidently, the Western church used the new testament to justify their principles of having the emperor as an icon ic figure, since for them God’s rule over His kingdom is autocratic. God’s incarnation in the body of a human, Jesus Christ, was also a resemblance they used to convey the emperor as an iconic figure of God because for them, when God became divine, incarnating himself in …show more content…
The relationship between the icon and its archetype, the icon of Christ and Christ himself, has thus moved from being an essentialist one to being a formalist one. Early Christian theologies and Byzantine iconoclasm is still viewed today as important concepts to worry about based on readings of the Bible in the Evangelicals of Saint Mark, Saint Luke, Saint Mathew and Saint John and the last book of Revelations. Going against the Bible teachings for them is a further step for them to the destruction of the word. Why? Because for them, the end of mankind is coming, approaching at a fast speed, that has already been seen as predicted by the book of
Specifically, two divisions have been identified, characterizing the views of what idolatry plays in political roles. First, Iconoclasts, referred to people against idolatry, which were commonly poor Eastern churches, sought to believe that idolatry was only used as form of political power. 1Second, Iconolaters, referred to people for idolatry and imagery, which were commonly wealthy Western churches, sought to portray idolatry and imagery as a form resembling the iconic theory of incarnation and benevolent autocracy of God’s Kingdom.2 David T. Koyzis clearly discusses these issues throughout his article, “Imaging God and His Kingdom: Eastern Orthodoxies Iconic Political Ethic”, revealing certain political reasons on why Eastern and Western churches either supported or abolished idea of imagery.3 The Western church of the Byzantine Empire used imagery and icons as a way to symbolize God, specifically by using their form of government.4 Evidently, the Western church used the new testament to justify their principles of having the emperor as an icon ic figure, since for them God’s rule over His kingdom is autocratic. God’s incarnation in the body of a human, Jesus Christ, was also a resemblance they used to convey the emperor as an iconic figure of God because for them, when God became divine, incarnating himself in …show more content…
The relationship between the icon and its archetype, the icon of Christ and Christ himself, has thus moved from being an essentialist one to being a formalist one. Early Christian theologies and Byzantine iconoclasm is still viewed today as important concepts to worry about based on readings of the Bible in the Evangelicals of Saint Mark, Saint Luke, Saint Mathew and Saint John and the last book of Revelations. Going against the Bible teachings for them is a further step for them to the destruction of the word. Why? Because for them, the end of mankind is coming, approaching at a fast speed, that has already been seen as predicted by the book of