Written by: Richard Volzke on March 9, 2014

Religious Symbolism and the Church

Miller’s book, Consuming Religion, summed up the consumer driven culture of many Christian denominations and theologies found in our world today Churches and Christian non-profit organizations have experienced great wealth and membership growth when they have been able to meet the demands of their constituents.  This can be both positive and negative.  In some cases, Christianity has been used as a marketing ploy for “Christian celebrities” and churches to attract monetary donations used to feed greedy individuals.  On the flip side, leveraging communication and marketing structures to propagate the message of Christ in a relevant manner is critical for churches today.  Many denominations utilize religious symbols or elements to engage people in faith practices.  Miller’s book, Consuming Religion, provides a summary of commodification and the impact to faith.  Today’s culture is so engrained in consumerism that people approach even religion with a consumer mindset. The dynamics of commodification causes people to “consume” religion instead of engage in their faith.  Christianity becomes something they can acquire just like any other commodity.

After reading Miller’s book, I thought about my grandmother who was a PLT club member in the 1970s – 1980s.  The PTL club (Praise The Lord) was hosted and owned by a couple, Jimmy and Tammy Faye Baker.  They preached the “prosperity gospel”, which is still prevalent today.  This theology teaches that one receives blessings and happiness from God when they live an obedient life and are reconciled to God.  They amassed a cult like following of lower and middle class Americans.  I remember my grandmother saying that God was going to provide her with wealth and riches because she is supporting the work of Jim and Tammy Faye. The only thing that my grandmother ever got from supporting PTL club was a drained bank account and a false sense of security that she was going to heaven because she supported that ministry.

Throughout history of the Roman Catholic Church, some form of religious icons or materialism can be found.  The 95th Thesis of Dr. Martin Luther spoke out against the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences.  Indulgences are “remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation)”^[1] The Catholic Church also has many saints with corresponding religious icons that can be found, such as the statues and images of the Virgin Mary.  She is considered the “queen of heaven” and people pray to her daily for everything from healing to interceding for love ones to get into heaven.  There have been attempts to reform the Catholic Church, but as Miller has pointed out, neo-traditionalists have rejected attempts to modernize Catholicism and have stuck to the traditional practices, beliefs, and costumes of the church.[2]

Evangelicals have also fallen into the trap of religious icons and symbols. Many of our churches view their buildings, pastors, and doctrines as “sacred cows” that cannot be changed or modified.  In the church that I am currently serving, there is an underlying mentality that nothing should be changed because we will lose our history and tradition. This mentality is common throughout of our older established churches, and change does not always come easily or joyfully. Everything from the old organ to the painting of Jesus on the wall has become an icon.  While these items may not be overtly worshiped, people view them as a necessary part of their worship experience.

I believe that the message to Christian leaders is one of caution.  Understanding the dynamics of commodification is important, as faith is not something that can or should be marketed or acquired.  We need to carefully balance our marketing efforts to ensure we aren’t just driving for church growth, popularity, or financial gain.  The focus must first and foremost stay on Christ.  If any symbol or communication from or within the church takes the focus away from Christ, then it should not be used.

About the Author

Richard Volzke