An ongoing debate about the difference between veneration and worship exists between Protestants and Catholics. On one side of the argument, Protestants assert that worship and veneration are synonymous terms, which makes the Catholic doctrine of the veneration of saints unbiblical.
In contrast, the Roman Catholic Church traditionally holds that worship and veneration are different terms, with worship ascribed to God alone. The Orthodox church also adheres to this distinction between worship and veneration.
In examining this debate, we need to look closely at what the Bible says about worship. Are there examples of people offering adoration to created beings, such as angels or another human?
Is the idea of bowing and showing veneration to someone other than the Lord scriptural? In this article, we will think about these questions as we learn about each side of the issue while staying true to the teaching of the Bible.
Catholics and the Veneration of Saints, Relics, and Mary
Regarding the veneration of people and church relics, Catholics assert that they do not worship saints or items. They define veneration as merely the act of giving respect or showing adoration for something or someone.
As is stated by Karlo Broussard on Catholic Answers, “The respect and reverence that Catholics give to sacred objects is not of the same kind of respect or reverence given to God.”
Catholics offer traditional theological terms to describe different acts of honor. The word, “latria” refers to the honor and worship given only to God (E.A. Livingstone, Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church). No other person or item receives latria.
Another term, “dulia” is used to refer to the honor given to saints and generally to items and relics. A variant of this term, called “hyperdulia,” refers to the honor given to the Virgin Mary according to Catholic doctrine.
Therefore, when Roman Catholics or Orthodox Christians honor, pray or bow down before an image or statue of a Saint, Mary, or the crucifix, they assert that they are only showing respect.
Catholics deny any charge of idolatry since they worship God alone but venerate Mary, other people, and items.
The Protestant View of Worship and Veneration
Protestants disagree with the Catholic and Orthodox Churches’ distinction between veneration and worship. They argue that these terms are synonymous.
Since worship is the act of acknowledging worthiness, Protestants would argue that venerating, or showing respect and honor, is the same as worship.
Furthermore, Protestant Christians do not believe that saints, Mary, or items deserve special honor. The “Saints” and Mary are human beings, just like them, who trusted in the Lord as their Savior.
Items, such as the crucifix or relics, do not hold any special power and do not need to be the focus of adoration.
Although Protestants agree that we can learn from the lives of other Christians, including Mary, they believe that venerating (worshiping) anyone other than God is unbiblical.
What Does the Bible Say?
As in every area of our lives, we need to consider what the Bible says when discussing issues of veneration and worship.
Since “Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” we are wise to consider what God has instructed and commanded about worship (2 Timothy 3:16).
Biblical worship comes from the heart and is focused on God’s glory and worthiness. We are commanded to worship Him alone (Exodus 20:3). There is no verse in the Bible that shows people giving honor and praise to anyone but the Lord.
In Revelation 4:11, the angels and believers worship God by saying “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
The biblical evidence that equates veneration with worship is the following:
1. Bowing. Although bowing is not required in worship, it is commonly associated with worship in the Bible. When the Israelites bowed down to statues, images, or stars, God saw this as idolatry (Exodus 20:5; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:19; 2 Kings 17:16).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue was a form of worship, which they refused to do (Daniel 3:16-18).
Prostrating oneself or falling at the feet of someone is also seen as worship in Scripture. For instance, the disciples and others regularly kneeled before Jesus or fell at His feet in worship (Matthew 2:11; 14:33; 28:9; John 11:32). Christ rightly received worship because He is God, worthy of praise.
However, there are examples of people attempting to worship created beings. When Cornelius tried to bow to Peter in veneration, the apostle urged him to stand up.
The Catholic translation Douay-Rheims Bible calls this adoration, but other verses use the word worship: “And it came to pass, that when Peter came in, Cornelius came to meet him, Cornelius came to meet him, and falling at his feet adored. But Peter lifted him up, saying: ‘Arise, I myself also am a man. And talking with him, he went in, and found many that were come together’” (Acts 10:25-26, emphasis mine).
Clearly, Peter denied this act of adoration or veneration, declaring that he was also just a human, like Cornelius.
Similarly, John the Apostle tried to pay honor to the angel who showed him the vision recorded in Revelation, but the angel rebuked him.
When John fell at the angel’s feet, he was told, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” (Revelation 22:9).
Therefore, venerating an object, saint, or angel through bowing is an act of worship according to the Bible.
2. Proskynesis. Catholics use this Greek word to refer to the veneration of saints, Mary, and items. However, in the Bible, this word is used for worship.
For instance, in the above verse (Acts 10:25), the word used in the Douay-Rheims Bible for “adored,” which is commonly translated as “worship,” is a variant of proskynesis.
Derived from the same word, prosekynēsen means to bow down in homage (Strong’s Greek 4352). This same word is also used in Matthew 28:9 where the women worship the resurrected Jesus by falling at His feet.
Multiple other verses also associate a form of proskynesis with worship (Matthew 2:11; John 4:22; 1 Corinthians 14:25; Hebrews 1:6).
3. God Alone Deserves Praise. The “Saints,” Mary, and even religious items or pictures only have significance because of the Lord. God is the one who saved the believers who are exalted by the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
If these faithful followers could somehow talk to us from heaven today, they would likely deny any sort of “veneration,” and instead urge us to worship the One who changed their lives — Jesus (Acts 14:15).
Likewise, Mary recognized that the Lord is her Savior and never told anyone to honor her (Luke 1:46-47). She submitted to God’s will for her life, which is admirable.
However, we are wrong to elevate her to a position that is not biblical. She was a follower of Christ and worshiped Him (Matthew 28:9; Acts 1:14). We should follow her example and focus on the Lord alone.
Finally, religious items and art, such as the crucifix, would have no meaning if it were not for Christ. He died on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). The cross is a strong reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice, but we do not need to bow down to it or kiss it.
Instead, the items in a church and the believers who have gone before us, including Mary, should remind us to focus on God and to worship Him. He alone deserves our adoration, praise, and veneration.
Why Does This Matter?
The difference between veneration and worship will likely continue to be a point of disagreement between Protestants and those who teach the veneration of saints, Mary, and relics (such as the Catholic and Orthodox churches).
We need to seek to understand both sides of the debate so that we can address this matter biblically with love.
Based on the evidence of Scripture, I do not see any real difference between veneration and worship, especially when considering that adoration and bowing are common aspects of venerating objects and saints.
The Bible repeatedly equates bowing with worship, uses the word “proskynesis” for worship, and teaches us that God is the one who is credited with saving individuals who are unworthy of praise outside of their relationship with Him.
Instead of arguing about narrow uses of words, we need to stand together and offer worship to the One who alone is worthy of honor, praise, and glory — Our God: The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
For further reading:
What Is the Significance of Worship?
What Is the Real Purpose of Kneeling in Prayer?
What Is a Mortal Sin According to the Catholic Church?
What Women Were Named Saints and Why Should We Know Them?
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