Iconoclasm as a Side Effect of the Reformation

Abstract

The article deals with the question of the relation of the Reformation to images and the question of the phenomenon of the iconoclasm associated with the Reformation events. The article focuses on two thematic clusters. First, it tries to explain the theological motives, which set apart the members of the Reformation from late medieval devotion – including their distance from the devotion associated with the icons. After that, the article focuses on the question of varying ranges and consequences of this separation, in particular the question of the appropriateness of this separation in relation to the very foundations or principles of Reformation. This second issue is divided into three sub-questions. First, the meaning of the Reformation’s sola scriptura principle regarding its attitude towards the multidimensionality of God’s speech in human history is considered. After that, the gradual formation of Luther’s attitude towards visual art in liturgy and devotion – which on the one hand was determined by his criticism of late medieval devotion, including the late medieval attitude towards icons, and on the other hand by his gradual affirmation of the value of visual art in devotion and worship – is considered. And finally, attention is paid to the attitude towards icons and the emergence of iconoclasm in the Swiss area.