Seamus Hammond
The use of incense in Lutheran churches is a topic of interest, with some people questioning its history and significance. Incense has been a part of the Lutheran Church's historical, liturgical worship practices, claiming its connection to the catholic Church. While some Lutheran churches may still use incense during special services or on occasions like Easter and Christmas, its use is not as prevalent as in other denominations like Roman Catholicism. The Bible mentions incense being offered to Jesus by the Magi and its symbolic representation of cleansing, purification, and Christ's sacrifice for sins. Incense is also mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is associated with prayers rising to God and God's pleasure in receiving them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense | A tradition that may or may not be followed |
| Incense in Lutheranism | Used to represent cleansing and purification and the covering of sin |
| Incense in the Old Covenant | Testifies to the Presence in the Bread and Wine of the Presence |
| Incense in the New Covenant | Testifies to Jesus' Presence in the Lord's Supper |
| Incense in the Divine Service | Testifies to prayers rising to, and being received by, God |
| Incense in the Catholic Church | Used in a variety of ways symbolizing cleansing, purification, prayer, and Christ's sacrifice for sins |
| Incense in Sweden | Many censors and thuribles were removed from services but not destroyed |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense in Lutheranism is adiaphora, meaning it is irrelevant to salvation and may be used or not
- Incense is a catholic tradition, used throughout the history of the universal Church
- Incense symbolises the prayers of the saints rising to heaven, as described in the Book of Revelation
- Incense is used in Lutheranism to symbolise the presence of Jesus during the Lord's Supper
- Incense is used during special services, such as Easter and Christmas
Incense in Lutheranism is adiaphora, meaning it is irrelevant to salvation and may be used or not
The use of incense in Lutheranism is considered adiaphora, meaning it is not essential to salvation and can be used or omitted at the discretion of individual churches. This is because the use of incense is viewed as a tradition rather than a requirement. While some Lutheran churches may choose to incorporate incense into their worship practices, others may opt not to.
The history of incense use in Lutheranism is rooted in the belief that it symbolises the presence of God and the act of prayer. Incense has been used in the Lutheran Church to represent the idea of prayers rising to God, as referenced in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer rise before You as incense". Additionally, according to the Hebrew of the Old Testament, when God is angry, His nose is described as burning. The use of incense conveys the notion that God is pleased and receives our prayers, rather than being angry.
The Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, in its primer on the use of incense, affirms the "catholic principle" stated in their Lutheran Confessions: "we have made this mutual declaration with hearts and mouths that we intend to create or accept no special or new confession of our faith" (SD, "Concerning the Binding Summary," 2; Kolb, 526). This indicates that the church views itself as part of the historic, catholic Church and embraces traditional practices.
Incense has also been used in Lutheranism to symbolise various concepts throughout Scripture, including cleansing, purification, and Christ's sacrifice for sins. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi presented the Christ child with the gift of frankincense, acknowledging Christ's deity. This gift, along with gold and myrrh, signifies Jesus' roles as prophet, priest, and king.
While the use of incense in Lutheranism is not mandatory, some Lutheran churches continue to incorporate it into their worship practices, particularly on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas.
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Incense is a catholic tradition, used throughout the history of the universal Church
Incense is a powerful tool in many religions, including Catholicism, Lutheranism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. In Catholicism, incense is a traditional and ubiquitous practice, with deep roots in the religion's history.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy has its origins in antiquity, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it. In the Bible, God commands Moses to make an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle:
> "You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it... And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations." (Exodus 30:1-10)
The use of incense in Catholic worship is symbolic of sanctification and purification, as well as the prayers of the faithful. It is believed to uplift the souls of pilgrims and create a connection between worship on earth and in heaven. The smoke of incense, along with the prayers of God's people, rise to God, as described in the Book of Revelation:
> "The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones." (Revelation 5:8)
Incense is used at Mass and other liturgical services, where priests and altar servers swing censers, creating clouds of incense. The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is not just a tradition but also holds symbolic and theological significance.
While incense is a traditional practice in Catholicism, its use in Lutheranism is less consistent. Some Lutheran churches, particularly those of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, use incense at every service, while others only use it on special occasions like Easter and Christmas. The use of incense in Lutheranism is considered a tradition that may or may not be followed, and its presence or absence depends on the specific church and congregation.
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Incense symbolises the prayers of the saints rising to heaven, as described in the Book of Revelation
Incense has a long history in Christian worship, and its use is mentioned in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation, incense is seen as a symbol of the prayers of the saints rising to heaven. This idea is also present in the Old Testament, where the psalmist compares prayers to the smoke of incense rising up to heaven. In Revelation 5:8, St. John describes the elders as having "gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones".
The use of incense in Christian worship is not limited to the Book of Revelation. It is also mentioned in the Book of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Exodus, where it is associated with offerings and sacrifices. Incense has been used in various Christian traditions, including Lutheranism, although its use may vary between congregations and denominations.
For example, some Lutheran churches may use incense only on special occasions, such as Easter and Christmas, while others may incorporate it more regularly into their worship services. The use of incense can be seen as a way to honour holy people and holy things, and it gives visual and olfactory reminders of prayers being offered to God.
The smoke of incense rising towards the heavens serves as a powerful symbol of the prayers of the saints ascending to God. This symbolism is further reinforced by the priest's act of incensing the altar, the cross, and the congregation, signifying the connection between the altar of sacrifice, those offering the sacrifice, and those uniting themselves with the sacrifice.
Through the use of incense, Christians can physically witness their prayers rising towards God, much like the smoke of incense rising towards the sky. This multisensory aspect of worship can enhance the spiritual experience and provide a deeper connection to the prayers being offered.
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Incense is used in Lutheranism to symbolise the presence of Jesus during the Lord's Supper
The use of incense in Lutheranism is a traditional practice that is not forbidden and may be continued as part of their worship. The burning of incense in the Lutheran Church is a historical, liturgical choice, signifying their connection to the catholic Church. Incense is used in Lutheranism to symbolise the presence of Jesus during the Lord's Supper.
The Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, in their primer on the use of incense, quotes the Augsburg Confession, Article 14, “Concerning the Mass”:
> “For ceremonies are especially needed in order to teach those who are ignorant” (AC, 14, 3; Kolb, 69).
They also explain that the use of incense in the Lutheran Church is to symbolise the presence of Jesus during the Lord's Supper. This is supported by the quote from Psalm 141, which is heard during Evening Prayer: “Let my prayer rise before You as incense”. Incense is a visual representation of prayers rising to God.
The use of incense in the Old Covenant Tabernacle and later, the Temple, was commanded by God. The smell of incense conveys the idea that God is pleased and receiving our prayers, rather than being angry.
The Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool also support the use of incense, stating that it is catholic in the sense that it is part of the whole, universal Church throughout all ages. They also refer to the Gospel of Luke, where the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias was made while he was burning incense in the temple.
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Incense is used during special services, such as Easter and Christmas
Incense has been used in various religious contexts throughout history, including in Christian worship. In the Lutheran Church, incense is used during special services, such as Easter and Christmas, and other significant occasions.
The use of incense in Lutheranism is rooted in its historical and liturgical worship practices, connecting it to the broader Christian tradition. Incense is employed sparingly during major feast days and special liturgical seasons. For example, incense may be used during the seasons of Advent and Lent, which precede Christmas and Easter, respectively. Advent, a time of preparation for Christmas, is often accompanied by the colour blue, symbolizing hope and expectation. Lent, on the other hand, is marked by the colour purple, reflecting penitence and spiritual preparation for Easter.
During Easter celebrations, the colour gold is used to heighten the joy and celebration of this feast. Incense, with its sweet fragrance, adds to the festive atmosphere, creating "holy clouds" and "holy smells" that symbolize Christ's righteousness and the covering of sins. The use of incense during Easter services also connects to the biblical imagery of Psalm 141, where it says, "Let my prayer rise before You as incense." This idea is further reinforced in the Gospel of Luke, where the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias occurred while he was burning incense in the temple (Luke 1:9-11).
Incense is also used during Christmas celebrations, where white is the appointed colour, symbolizing joy and festivity. The sweet smell of incense during Christmas services can evoke the biblical imagery of the Magi bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child (Matthew 2:11). These gifts symbolize Jesus' role as our prophet, priest, and king, reminding worshippers of His life, death, and resurrection.
In addition to its use during Easter and Christmas, incense may also be used during other special services in the Lutheran Church. For example, some Lutheran churches use incense during the principal Sunday Mass or on other major feast days. The use of incense during these services emphasizes the importance of the liturgy and creates a multisensory worship experience, engaging the senses of sight, smell, and hearing.
The act of burning incense is a symbolic practice that enhances the worship experience and connects Lutherans to the broader Christian tradition and the eternal worship of God by the saints and angels in heaven.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lutheran Church worships in a historical, liturgical way, which involves claiming their mantle of being part of the historic, catholic Church. The use of incense is a part of this tradition.
Incense is used to symbolise the presence of Jesus during the Lord's Supper and to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to God.
There is no evidence that the Bible forbids Christians from burning incense in worship. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Christ child was given the gift of incense by the Magi. In the Gospel of Luke, the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias was made while he was burning incense in the temple.
The use of incense is not mandatory in the Lutheran Church and some churches may choose not to use it.
