Orthodox Rebuttal
Author: Steve Amato
Description: A rebuttal to my critique of the theology of Orthodox Christianity
Keywords: bible study,orthodox, icons, worship

## Eric's Orthodox Rebuttal of
the BCBSR web page
on Orthodox Christianity

Hello,

I saw your site and noticed the Anti-orthodox articles
you disply. Here is a webpage about icons.

http://members.surfbest.net/pages@surfbest.net/bible/papers/eastern_orthodoxy.htm

## BCBSR Response

The page you mention doesn't really add much to the argument. In fact it further weakens the Orthodox position. But first concerning the incorrect paradigm which they use as a strawman argument

- Scripture prohibits making images of God.
- Christ is God.
- Therefore Scripture prohibits making images of Christ.

Actually that's not the issue. That is not what the opponents of Orthodox theology are arguing. The issue is:

- The Scriptures prohibit worshipping graven images
- The Orthodox worship graven images.

But I thank you for the reference in which the Orthodox admittedly embrace the rejection of the second commandment as they say, "The second commandment, therefore, no longer applies. Clendenin concludes: "The commandment against graven images was construed as a temporal rather than a universal prohibition, one that was appropriate to the age of pagan idols but has now been superseded by the incarnation of God himself." [Daniel B. Clendenin, Eastern Orthodox Christianity: A Western Perspective, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994), p. 86.]

So the argument is not whether the Orthodox are breaking the second commandment. For they themselves admit that they do - though I suspect not all orthodox agree with one another on this point. But if so, the question is whether the incarnation logically nullified that command. I've presented enough evidence on my web page on Orthodoxy to bring that idea seriously into question. Why was it that Peter rejected veneration, as well as the angel in Rev 22:9 "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"?

But the Orthodox have not taken a consistent stand on the issue of icons. Some admit that it is in violation of the second command but that such command has been nullified. Others acknowledge the second command as being in effect, but that their "veneration" of graven images is not a violation of it, simply playing games with words. Would be good if at least they took a consistent position on the issue, if they wish to debate.

I seeing nothing particularly convincing in the Orthodox position, and in fact their position seems only to be increasing weakened as they try to defend it.

Steve Amato
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources