Matter
Definition
John of Damascus treats the rejection of icons as a denial of the Incarnation: because the Word became flesh, a visible God can be depicted; matter, indwelt by the Word, becomes “pre-historical” and material images have positive meaning.
Episodes
Related Concepts
- Iconoclasm As Christological Heresy
Biblical References
- John 1:1-3 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been c
- Galatians 1:8 — *But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! *
- Genesis 1:26-27 — Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on
- Genesis 32:30 (Jacob seeing God) — *So Jacob named the place Peniel, explaining, “Certainly I have seen God face to face and have survived.” *
- Exodus 20:4 (prohibition of idolatry) — *“You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below. *
- Matthew 6:9-13 (the Lord’s Prayer) — So pray this way: “Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have