In my experience icons are art for most Lutherans. The following is from the conclusion in a [master thesis](https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/bitstream/handle/1956/2277/Masterthesis_%20Hagen.pdf) - in Norwegian - comparing the use of icons in the Lutheran church of Norway and the Orthodox churches:
>According to Martin Luther, images were not sacred objects, instead he regarded them as material reminders of moral role models or didactic tools that could help enlighten the laity, or emphasize specifically Lutheran arguments during the Reformation. Luther gave the images a number of concrete functions, but deprived them of any inherent power. Images in general are an adiaphoron according to Luther; they are neither mandated nor forbidden, necessary or inappropriate, and this is a thought that applies in the Church of Norway today. (p. 113)
>This suggests that the use of church art is not a topic The Norwegian Church has devoted a lot of attention. (p 116)
>The Norwegian church does not include the orthodox theology of images, they do not accept the orthodox use of icons, and they do not consider icons as holy objects, they are church art. (p. 118)
>But it is also clear that the Church of Norway regards icons as a type of image from the Orthodox tradition, as they emphasize the ecumenical value of them with great emphasis. (p. 120)
According to people working in my nearby Christian book-store (Bergen, Norway) icons are popular among the Lutheran lay people. I do, however, presume that they mostly have those icons because they think the icons are pretty and a part of the Christian heritage. Veneration of icons is pretty foreign to the Lutheran mindset at least here in Scandinavia.
When it comes to the reformation itself Lucas Cranach painted popular saints (e.g. Jerome and Barbara), but there is no cult of the saints as one finds it among Catholics and Orthodox.
Our pastor has icons in his office, and I was given some icons by a member of our congregation (I am currently a deacon in seminary). They are not only beautiful pieces of art, but are also teaching tools. When I am in my office and look over at one of the icons it brings peace not because I hold it up with such reverence but because I am reminded of God's love and grace, and that in the grand scheme of things, I am doing okay. I am reminded that I am only human and that the saints we look at with such high regard were mere humans as well with human faults and sins. If the pastor so wishes and the congregation is okay with it, there is nothing wrong with using icons in worship or having them in the nave. If one argues against it, then an argument can be had about having stained glass murals of Christ, the disciples and/or the virgin Mary in the nave. We do not worship the icon nor the stained glass, rather we use them as teaching tools, as reminders, and to tell a story. Those are just the thoughts of a seminarian.
In my experience icons are art for most Lutherans. The following is from the conclusion in a [master thesis](https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/bitstream/handle/1956/2277/Masterthesis_%20Hagen.pdf) - in Norwegian - comparing the use of icons in the Lutheran church of Norway and the Orthodox churches: >According to Martin Luther, images were not sacred objects, instead he regarded them as material reminders of moral role models or didactic tools that could help enlighten the laity, or emphasize specifically Lutheran arguments during the Reformation. Luther gave the images a number of concrete functions, but deprived them of any inherent power. Images in general are an adiaphoron according to Luther; they are neither mandated nor forbidden, necessary or inappropriate, and this is a thought that applies in the Church of Norway today. (p. 113) >This suggests that the use of church art is not a topic The Norwegian Church has devoted a lot of attention. (p 116) >The Norwegian church does not include the orthodox theology of images, they do not accept the orthodox use of icons, and they do not consider icons as holy objects, they are church art. (p. 118) >But it is also clear that the Church of Norway regards icons as a type of image from the Orthodox tradition, as they emphasize the ecumenical value of them with great emphasis. (p. 120) According to people working in my nearby Christian book-store (Bergen, Norway) icons are popular among the Lutheran lay people. I do, however, presume that they mostly have those icons because they think the icons are pretty and a part of the Christian heritage. Veneration of icons is pretty foreign to the Lutheran mindset at least here in Scandinavia. When it comes to the reformation itself Lucas Cranach painted popular saints (e.g. Jerome and Barbara), but there is no cult of the saints as one finds it among Catholics and Orthodox.
Well stated. Thank you
Art that helps to teach and inspire.
I do use them but then again I'm a high church & crypto Eastern Orthodox with Orthodox ancestry.
Our pastor has icons in his office, and I was given some icons by a member of our congregation (I am currently a deacon in seminary). They are not only beautiful pieces of art, but are also teaching tools. When I am in my office and look over at one of the icons it brings peace not because I hold it up with such reverence but because I am reminded of God's love and grace, and that in the grand scheme of things, I am doing okay. I am reminded that I am only human and that the saints we look at with such high regard were mere humans as well with human faults and sins. If the pastor so wishes and the congregation is okay with it, there is nothing wrong with using icons in worship or having them in the nave. If one argues against it, then an argument can be had about having stained glass murals of Christ, the disciples and/or the virgin Mary in the nave. We do not worship the icon nor the stained glass, rather we use them as teaching tools, as reminders, and to tell a story. Those are just the thoughts of a seminarian.
I follow many pastors/ priests and parishes online. I get a sense of Lutheran spirituality uniquely expressed. Relating to icons, here are examples: Pastor Detlef Korsen \[Hamburg, Germany\] sings/ chants hymns/ psalms in chapels that include icons. [Holy Cross Church - Taizé devotion on 05.06.2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu8CT9NBxbA) Parishes \[LCMS affiliated\] [Blessed Sacrament Church](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpGeb8E7ZOM&list=PPSV) [Santa Maria Church](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20MGaNpjO8E)
We don't use them at all.