Theology of the Image

The debate over religious images wasn't merely aesthetic — it struck at fundamental questions about worship. Reformers argued that beautiful paintings and sculptures distracted believers from God's word. Catholics countered that images educated the illiterate and inspired genuine devotion.

Martin Luther took a moderate position, accepting images that taught scripture while opposing those that drew superstitious veneration. Zwingli and Calvin went further, demanding the complete removal of all images from worship. These differences produced dramatically different visual cultures across Europe.