Are Sacred Images Biblical? - Living Divine Mercy

Many non-Catholics claim that religious images and statues are a form of idolatry. It is a serious accusation, and one that deserves a serious, biblical answer. Surprisingly to some, Scripture does not condemn sacred images outright. In fact, the Bible itself provides crucial distinctions between worship owed to God alone and the legitimate use of images that lift the mind and heart toward Him. On Living Divine Mercy, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC addresses this question directly: What does the Bible actually say about images? When does an image become an idol—and when does it serve as a reminder of God’s saving work in history? Far from avoiding the issue, Scripture clarifies it with depth and balance. The Church has always taught that worship belongs to God alone, while sacred images serve a different purpose: to teach, to remind, and to draw us into deeper reverence. As the Catechism explains, “The honor paid to sacred images is a ‘respectful veneration,’ not the adoration due to God alone” (Catechism of the Catholic Church §2132). Join this clear and faithful exploration of Scripture and tradition. Living Divine Mercy airs this Thursday at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on EWTN, with episodes later available on YouTube and Divine Mercy Plus.