The Early History of the Assyrian Church of the East

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 13 views

The Assyrian Church of the East: A Historical Perspective on Iconography and Heresy

The Assyrian Church of the East, a Christian denomination with a rich history dating back to the 1st century AD, has been a subject of interest and debate among scholars and theologians. As one of the oldest Christian churches, the Assyrian Church of the East has its own unique traditions and practices, which have been shaped by its historical context and cultural influences. One of the most significant aspects of the Assyrian Church of the East's theology is its view on iconography, specifically the veneration of images. In this article, we will explore the Assyrian Church of the East's stance on iconography and examine whether it would be considered heretical by Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians.

The Early History of the Assyrian Church of the East

The Assyrian Church of the East has its roots in the ancient Church of the East, which was established in the 1st century AD. The Church of the East was a major Christian denomination in the ancient world, with a significant presence in the Middle East and Central Asia. However, in the 5th century AD, the Church of the East was involved in a theological controversy with the Eastern Orthodox Church, which led to a split between the two churches. The Church of the East was accused of holding Nestorian views, which emphasized the humanity of Jesus Christ over his divinity. Although the Assyrian Church of the East rejects the label of Nestorianism, it is still considered to be a descendant of the Church of the East.

The Assyrian Church of the East's View on Iconography

The Assyrian Church of the East has a long history of rejecting the veneration of images, which is a central aspect of Eastern Orthodox and Catholic theology. According to the Assyrian Church of the East, the veneration of images is a form of idolatry, which is forbidden in the Bible. The church's stance on iconography is based on the biblical prohibition against making images of God or worshiping them (Exodus 20:4-5, Deuteronomy 5:8-9). The Assyrian Church of the East also argues that the veneration of images is a form of paganism, which was prevalent in the ancient world.

The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox View on Iconography

In contrast to the Assyrian Church of the East, the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches have a long tradition of venerating images. The veneration of images is seen as a way of honoring the saints and the Virgin Mary, who are considered to be intermediaries between God and humanity. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches argue that the veneration of images is a form of worship, which is distinct from idolatry. According to Catholic and Eastern Orthodox theology, the veneration of images is a way of acknowledging the presence of God in the world and of seeking his blessing and protection.

Would the Assyrian Church of the East be Considered Heretical?

Given the Assyrian Church of the East's rejection of the veneration of images, it is likely that Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians would consider the church to be heretical. The veneration of images is a central aspect of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox theology, and the rejection of this practice is seen as a fundamental error. However, it is worth noting that the Assyrian Church of the East is not alone in its rejection of the veneration of images. There are other Christian denominations, such as the Protestant churches, which also reject the veneration of images.

The Ecumenical Councils and the Assyrian Church of the East

The Assyrian Church of the East has been involved in several ecumenical councils throughout its history, including the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). However, the church's rejection of the veneration of images has led to its exclusion from these councils. The Council of Ephesus, for example, condemned the Nestorian views of the Church of the East, which emphasized the humanity of Jesus Christ over his divinity. The Council of Chalcedon, on the other hand, condemned the views of the Monophysites, who argued that Jesus Christ had only one nature, divine and human.

In conclusion, the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography is a significant aspect of its theology, which has been shaped by its historical context and cultural influences. The church's rejection of the veneration of images is based on the biblical prohibition against making images of God or worshiping them. However, this rejection is likely to be seen as heretical by Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians, who consider the veneration of images to be a central aspect of their theology. Despite this, the Assyrian Church of the East remains a significant player in the ecumenical movement, and its views on iconography continue to be a subject of interest and debate among scholars and theologians.

Recommendations for Further Study

For those interested in learning more about the Assyrian Church of the East and its views on iconography, the following resources are recommended:

The Assyrian Church of the East's official website: The official website of the Assyrian Church of the East provides a wealth of information on the church's history, theology, and practices.
The book "The Assyrian Church of the East: A History" by David Wilmshurst: This book provides a comprehensive history of the Assyrian Church of the East, including its views on iconography.
The article "The Veneration of Images in the Assyrian Church of the East" by Dr. Narsai C. Danial: This article provides a detailed analysis of the Assyrian Church of the East's views on iconography and its implications for ecumenical dialogue.

The Bible: The Bible is the primary source of scripture for the Assyrian Church of the East, and its teachings on iconography are based on the biblical prohibition against making images of God or worshiping them.
The Council of Ephesus (431 AD): The Council of Ephesus was a major ecumenical council that condemned the Nestorian views of the Church of the East.
The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): The Council of Chalcedon was a major ecumenical council that condemned the views of the Monophysites.
The book "The Assyrian Church of the East: A History" by David Wilmshurst: This book provides a comprehensive history of the Assyrian Church of the East, including its views on iconography.
The article "The Veneration of Images in the Assyrian Church of the East" by Dr. Narsai C. Danial: This article provides a detailed analysis of the Assyrian Church of the East's views on iconography and its implications for ecumenical dialogue.
Q&A: The Assyrian Church of the East and Iconography

The Assyrian Church of the East, a Christian denomination with a rich history dating back to the 1st century AD, has been a subject of interest and debate among scholars and theologians. One of the most significant aspects of the Assyrian Church of the East's theology is its view on iconography, specifically the veneration of images. In this Q&A article, we will explore some of the most frequently asked questions about the Assyrian Church of the East and its views on iconography.

Q: What is the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography?

A: The Assyrian Church of the East has a long history of rejecting the veneration of images, which is a central aspect of Eastern Orthodox and Catholic theology. According to the Assyrian Church of the East, the veneration of images is a form of idolatry, which is forbidden in the Bible.

Q: Why does the Assyrian Church of the East reject the veneration of images?

A: The Assyrian Church of the East rejects the veneration of images because it believes that this practice is a form of idolatry, which is forbidden in the Bible. The church also argues that the veneration of images is a form of paganism, which was prevalent in the ancient world.

Q: Is the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography similar to that of other Christian denominations?

A: No, the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography is not similar to that of other Christian denominations. While some Christian denominations, such as the Protestant churches, also reject the veneration of images, the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography is based on a unique interpretation of the Bible and its historical context.

Q: How does the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography affect its relationship with other Christian denominations?

A: The Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography has had a significant impact on its relationship with other Christian denominations. The church's rejection of the veneration of images has led to its exclusion from several ecumenical councils, including the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD).

Q: What are some of the key differences between the Assyrian Church of the East and other Christian denominations?

A: Some of the key differences between the Assyrian Church of the East and other Christian denominations include:

View on iconography: The Assyrian Church of the East rejects the veneration of images, while other Christian denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches, venerate images as a way of honoring the saints and the Virgin Mary.
Theology: The Assyrian Church of the East has a unique theology that emphasizes the humanity of Jesus Christ over his divinity, while other Christian denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches, emphasize the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Practices: The Assyrian Church of the East has a unique set of practices, including the use of the Syriac language and the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption.

Q: How can I learn more about the Assyrian Church of the East and its views on iconography?

A: There are several resources available for learning more about the Assyrian Church of the East and its views on iconography, including:

The Assyrian Church of the East's official website: The official website of the Assyrian Church of the East provides a wealth of information on the church's history, theology, and practices.
The book "The Assyrian Church of the East: A History" by David Wilmshurst: This book provides a comprehensive history of the Assyrian Church of the East, including its views on iconography.
The article "The Veneration of Images in the Assyrian Church of the East" by Dr. Narsai C. Danial: This article provides a detailed analysis of the Assyrian Church of the East's views on iconography and its implications for ecumenical dialogue.

In conclusion, the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography is a significant aspect of its theology, which has been shaped by its historical context and cultural influences. The church's rejection of the veneration of images is based on a unique interpretation of the Bible and its historical context. While the Assyrian Church of the East's view on iconography may be different from that of other Christian denominations, it is an important part of the church's identity and heritage.