@MediaevalGuitar
What helped me to accept icon veneration when I was Protestant (now Orthodox), was the realization that the Bible seems to speak of bowing and praying toward the Temple (see, e.g., Psalm 5:7 and Psalm 98:5,9 OSB/99:5,9 KJV. The verb in Hebrew שָׁחָה is the same verb found both in these verses and in Exodus 20:5), which was a type of Christ's body (John 2:21).
@sylviaedson8453
I have been praying a LOT, since being drawn toward the Orthodox faith!❤ Am a prior lifelong Pentecostal Protestant, but am hearing, seeing and feeling MUCH truth in your informative videos. I have began purchasing recommended reading material, as well. Yesterday, I received my 1st blessed icon of Christ from Holy Cross monastery in the mail. I feel so blessed and am BEYOND thankful to get to listen to your clips here!!! Thank you and God bless❤️🙏❤️
@portraits_of_bliss
Those last 10 minutes are really compelling. Thanks for this material, and thank you all for all that you do!
@NathanaelPetucci
Christ is risen! Thank you for this wonderful interview. I did not know he had a book project in the works! It's always encouraging to see people working hard to defend the Orthodox practice not just Biblically, but also historically.
@TerenceHoefdraad
These are probably some of the most compelling arguments I have heard in defence of the veneration of Christ in/through images and fellow man. I am a Protestant/evangelical Christian who started exploring orthodoxy after listening to a few podcasts on Hank Hanegraaff's website a little over a year ago. Ever since I have started to adopt some orthodox spiritual practices like observing Lent, weekly fasting, burning incense, doing the Jesus prayer throughout the day and there's even an icon of Christ Pentocrator hanging on the wall in my bedroom. But after hearing Dr. Gavin speaking to icon veneration I started to have doubts. This response video, however, gave me back all the reassurance I need. Thank you. 🙂
@steadydividends571
More Michael Garten please!! I haven’t heard of him until today but this presentation was FASCINATING
@Lostwithquestion
Was a member of the atheist religion for almost 35 years. January 2024 i lost the faith required to believe in the atheist religion. Been addicted to learning anything i can about Jesus. If a protestant kisses a bible, would that not be the same as icons? Isn't a cross technically an icon? Isn't the bible technically an icon? What, if anything is the difference between icon and "gravin image"? December 2023, had no clue that such a thing as "orthodox Christian " existed. This whole year has been driving me right that direction. Please drive me crazy with answers. -lost former atheist with many questions.
@TheRealAbeMahoney
Orland’s case is more about defending Protestantism than it is about letting the truth lead you where it leads you.
@aaronwolf4211
These are all great arguments, especially the one in the last 15 minutes about Christians giving honor to the image of the pagan emperors. But I do wonder if another approach with Dr. Gavin might really get to the heat of things sooner and draw a clearer and more personal distinction. Anyone who has seen the movie Silence or knows about the history of Christian persecution in Japan knows that the means by which the Japanese leaders would force Christians to deny Christ was by stepping or stomping on His image. So perhaps someone should posit to Gavin, “So clearly we are entering troubling times where persecution is on the rise and we find ourselves increasingly in a pagan culture that abhors holy things. Imagine then for a moment, Dr. Gavin, if you found yourself in a situation where you were being told ‘Step on Christ to live or we will torture and kill you.’ What would you do? Take a moment to really picture that potential event and process it in your soul. Now, if you step on the image to avoid death, are you not denying Christ? And if you refuse to step on the image because you refuse to deny Christ, doesn’t that render your entire argument utterly useless?” I’d call that quite the holy unease. Worth considering.
@moglory521
This guy needs to debate Gavin Ortlund on this. Love the arguments he’s making and I’ll definitely be rewatching this video since, as an inquirer into Orthodoxy, I’m trying to have my wife come to Divine Liturgy soon and I can already anticipate this will be one of the biggest hurdles for her. So this is great prep to know how to answer her questions. Thank you all for the great content!
@Journey_of_Abundance
Here we go!
@mosescosme8629
I have been praying for this information to come to light. I am so very thankful for this episode and Michael Garten's work on this topic. Glory to God. Christ is risen!
@icxcnika7722
Quick, someone show this to Gavin Ortlund! 😂
@justicebjorke2790
Something constantly overlooked: relic veneration. Unarguably early, and the theology of relic veneration is identical to that of icon veneration
@Journey_of_Abundance
I've said this in the comments before and I'll continue to say it: The foundation of Gavin's objections to iconodulia rests on the practice being idolatrous. The problem for him is he cannot prove it to be so. This is a major problem for him because all he is left with is resorting to the ahistoric argument, and with that, he is in the same position with the Trinity and with his own church's rock band praise team. Just like iconodulia, the Trinity can be defended Biblically. However, rock band worship cannot.
@untoages
Those details towards the end there especially were awesome. Great video!
@amandabula8732
I am a Catholic and welcome home. Praying one day we all one day be one. When we partake of the Euchrist all heaven alone the Saints through the Spirit we partake of Jesus and his Blood. Praying we all one day again be one under the Church. Our history is Beautiful regardless what my very human Pope does. But Jesus said the Gates of Hail should not prevail over his Church. Welcome home to the full Gospel and the tradition of the Apostolic Church God founded! God Bless you my Brothers in the faith! 63 years old grandma who enjoy teological history here!
@michaelharrington6698
A new contender has entered the chat
@davidstaudinger1543
It’s incredible to be in a time where I get to see amazing critics bringing out amazing defenses advancing apologetics. The quotation from acts of John amazed me
@TheTransfiguredLife