A Universe of Icons and Idols

Are icons an ancient expression of Christian faith, or a later accretion that crosses the line into idolatry? This book follows the theme of image and idol through the whole of Scripture, weighs the evidence of Jewish and early Christian art, the two periods of Byzantine iconoclasm and the Second Council of Nicaea (787), and traces the reception of the council in the West up to today's debate among Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox. Illustrated with thirty-six engravings, one for each chapter.