Subject
Idols and images -- Worship Books
Best books
Saint John of Damascus
St John Damascene on Holy Images (πρὸς τοὺς διαβάλλοντας τᾶς ἁγίας εἰκόνας). Followed by Three Sermons on the Assumption (κοίμησις)
"St John Damascene on Holy Images" is a theological treatise written in the late 19th century. This work presents St. John Damascene's defense of the veneration of holy images, responding to criticisms and misconceptions regarding their use in Christian worship. It delves into the significance of images as channels of divine grace and connection to the sacred. The opening portion introduces the author's intent and establishes the historical context in which St. John Damascene argued for the right to depict holy images while addressing the accusations of idolatry levied by iconoclasts. He emphasizes the distinction between the veneration of images and the worship due to God alone, positing that images serve to represent the divine through God's own incarnation in Christ. Additionally, Damascene discusses the necessity of using corporeal representations to lead believers in their faith and spiritual practice, reflecting on both the significance of matter in creation and the role of ecclesiastical tradition in shaping the understanding of images in worship.
Frank S. (Frank Stockton) Dobbins
Error's chains : $b How forged and broken : A comparative history of the national, social and religious errors that mankind has fallen into and practised from the creation down to the present time.
"Error''s chains : How forged and broken : A comparative history of the…" by Frank S. Dobbins is a comparative religious history written in the late 19th century. Aimed at general readers and richly illustrated, it surveys how humanity moved from an original monotheism into nature-worship, polytheism, and idolatry across civilizations, contrasting these with Christianity. Drawing on sacred texts, folklore, archaeology, and travel accounts, it traces global beliefs, myths, and rituals to show how “error” was forged and how it might be remedied. The opening of the work sets out its popular purpose, sources, and scope, then argues that humanity began with one God and later declined into many gods and idols. The preface promises a readable, illustrated tour of world religions, credits scholarly helpers, and states a Christian aim: to heighten appreciation for biblical faith and concern for the “heathen” world. Chapter I presents two witnesses for an original unity—an “old record” (Genesis) and the kinship of languages—then uses comparative folklore (the “Master Thief” cycle in Norse, Egyptian, Hindu, Spanish, and Scottish variants) to argue for a common cultural origin before the dispersion from Babel; it also notes widespread “golden age” memories and traces of a supreme deity. Chapter II explains the transition from monotheism to nature-worship and personification of the elements, quotes early hymns (Varuna, Indra, Agni, Surya) and prayers, and sketches how idols likely arose (from aids to devotion and sacred stones to animal and human forms like teraphim, Dagon, and serpent images). Chapter III begins compiling creation and flood traditions—from Chaldean Xisuthrus and Hindu Manu to Chinese Fuh-he, Mexican Coxcox/Tezpi, Fijian and North American tales, and Greek Deucalion—using their shared contours to reinforce the biblical narrative, and it moves toward the Babel story as the next link.
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