Answer to Question #96177 in History for Anahi

Question

What is Calvin’s position on religious imagery? (provide specific references from text to support your position) How is it different than Luther’s?

Answer 1

John Calvin is among the leading Protestants that were against the use of images in the church. According to Astington (2015), Calvin argued that the use of images results in idolatry. However, according to Luther images can be used positively by the churches when the objective is to represent respect to what is being worshipped. In this case, the focus is not about the image but the meaning that the worshippers get from the paintings or pictures.

Reference

Astington, J. H. (2015). Pastoral imagery in The Merchant of Venice. Word & Image, 31(1), 43-53.