Iconography: Images, Idols, and the Distortion of Worship. From gilded icons in Orthodox cathedrals to painted statues in Catholic basilicas, sacred images play a massive role in the worship practices of millions. Iconography is defended as an ancient, holy tradition — but biblically, icons and religious images are a distortion of true worship. Their origins are not in the New Testament church, but in later cultural developments. And their defense collapses under the weight o

Idolatry is not ancient history. Though few today bow to carved statues, the human heart remains no less prone to misplaced worship. In fact, idolatry may be the single most common theme in Scripture—and the most underestimated sin in the modern church.