Anisha Riggs
Incense burning is a widely debated topic among Christians. While some Christians believe that burning incense is not appropriate due to its association with pagan rituals and potential for leading individuals towards idolatrous practices, others argue that it is acceptable, especially considering its presence in the Bible. The Bible mentions specific recipes for holy incense, and it was a part of ritual worship in the Old Testament. Today, incense burning is still practised in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic tradition, and some Lutheran and Episcopal churches. Ultimately, the decision to burn incense or not depends on the individual's branch of Christianity and their personal interpretation of Scripture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense in Christianity | Incense is an integral part of Orthodox Christian worship and is also used in Roman Catholic traditions and some Lutheran churches. |
| Burning incense in the Bible | Incense was very common in the Old Testament. God gave instructions for constructing an altar of incense, which was set in the Holy Place. The Bible contains 24 verses referring to incense. |
| Burning incense for personal use | Some Christians burn incense at home for meditation and prayer, or as an affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah. |
| Burning incense and its intentions | Burning incense with the wrong intentions, such as witchcraft or ritualistic practices, is not recommended. |
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What You'll Learn
Burning incense in Christianity today
Burning incense has a long history in Christianity, and it continues to be practised by some Christians today. However, it is not a uniform tradition across all branches of Christianity, and there are differing views on whether it is appropriate for Christians to burn incense.
Incense was common in the Old Testament, and God gave specific instructions for constructing an altar of incense, which was set in the Holy Place before the Holy of Holies. According to Exodus 30:8, the incense was to burn perpetually before the Lord. The exact composition of this holy incense is described in Exodus 30:34, and included fragrant spices such as gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. This type of incense was considered sacred, and "strange incense" that did not follow God's recipe was forbidden for use in worship.
Today, the use of incense varies among different Christian denominations. Incense burning is still practised by priests within the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as in Roman Catholic and some Lutheran traditions. It is also seeing a resurgence among the emergent church movement, which seeks to return to "vintage" Christianity. However, not all Christians burn incense, and some may view it with caution due to its association with pagan rituals.
For those who choose to burn incense, it can be a way to affirm their dedication to God and enhance their prayer and meditation practices. The aroma of incense can serve as a reminder of their obedient commitment to the Lord. Additionally, the practice of burning incense can be traced back to biblical times, with Jesus himself receiving frankincense and myrrh as gifts.
On the other hand, some Christians may be hesitant to burn incense due to its potential association with pagan rituals. They may worry that using incense could be construed as an approval of idolatrous practices, particularly for those who have come from a pagan background. Ultimately, the decision to burn incense or not is a personal one, and Christians are advised to use their freedom to serve one another in love, considering the potential impact of their actions on others.
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Incense in the Old Testament
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command. In the Old Testament, the burning of incense was a mandatory part of ritual worship. God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship.
The altar of incense is first mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The top of the altar was square, and the whole altar was two cubits high. The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had four “horns,” one at each corner, similar to the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard. Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight, every day, as a regular offering to the Lord. The incense was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship. The altar of incense was called “most holy to the Lord”.
The incense offered by the priest represented the prayers of God’s people rising to Him, and it represented that they did so through a needed mediator. In the New Testament, in John’s vision of the throne, we read this in Revelation 5:6-8, “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. Then the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints”.
Incense is still used by priests within the Eastern Orthodox Church. It also finds a place in Roman Catholic tradition and even some Lutheran churches. Incense burning has seen a resurgence among the emergent church movement in an effort to return to “vintage” Christianity.
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Incense in the New Testament
The use of incense by Christians is a topic of some debate. While some Christians argue that burning incense is not explicitly prohibited in the Bible and is even encouraged as a symbol of prayer, others express concern over its association with pagan rituals.
In the New Testament, there are a few verses that mention incense. For example, Luke 1:9-11 describes the priest's duty to burn incense in the temple of the Lord, with a multitude of people praying outside. Revelation 8:3-4 also mentions an angel standing at an altar, offering incense with the prayers of the saints, which ascended to God. These passages suggest that incense is connected to prayer and worship in the New Testament.
However, some Christians argue that burning incense is not necessary for their prayers to reach God. They believe that their prayers can rise to God without any additional rituals. Additionally, there is a concern that the use of incense could be a reminder of pagan practices for those who were saved from paganism, potentially causing confusion or discomfort.
Ultimately, the decision to burn incense or not is a personal one for Christians. Some may choose to incorporate it into their worship as a symbol of their dedication to God, while others may prefer to avoid it due to its associations with pagan rituals or health concerns.
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Incense in Christian worship
The use of incense in Christian worship is a topic that has been widely discussed and debated among Christians. While some Christians argue that burning incense is not explicitly prohibited in the Bible, others express concern about its association with pagan rituals and potential idolatrous practices.
In the Old Testament, incense played a significant role in the worship of the Lord. God provided specific instructions for constructing an altar of incense, which was placed in the Holy Place before the veil of the Holy of Holies. According to Exodus 30:34, God also revealed the exact composition of this holy incense, which included fragrant spices such as gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. This incense was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and "strange incense" that deviated from God's recipe was forbidden for worship (Exodus 30:9).
Even today, some Christian denominations continue to incorporate incense in their worship services. Incense is commonly used in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic tradition, and certain Lutheran churches. Catholics, for instance, burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals performed by priests. However, not all Christians choose to burn incense, and the practice varies across different branches of Christianity.
Some Christians who were previously involved in paganism may find the use of incense triggering due to its association with their past religious practices. Additionally, Christians are advised to prioritize obedience to God over rituals or sacrifices. As stated in Hebrews 10:19-22, believers are called to approach God with confidence and full assurance of faith, without relying on external acts like burning incense to enhance the power of their prayers.
Ultimately, the decision to burn incense as a Christian is a personal one, and individuals must consider their motivations and the potential impact on other believers. While some may find it helpful in meditation and prayer, reminding them of their dedication to God, others may have concerns about its connection to pagan rituals. As Christians, we are called to use our freedom to serve one another in love, being mindful of those who may interpret the use of incense as an approval of idolatry.
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Incense in the home
Burning incense in the home is a personal choice for Christians. Some Christians choose to burn incense in their homes as a way to enhance their spiritual practice, while others avoid it due to its association with pagan rituals.
Incense has a long history in the Bible, with references to it being used in both the Old and New Testaments. In Exodus 30, God provides instructions for making and burning incense as part of worship, specifying the exact composition and the altar on which it should be burned. The book of Psalms describes incense as a symbol of prayer, and in the New Testament, Jesus receives frankincense and myrrh as gifts.
Today, the practice of burning incense is still common in some Christian denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic tradition, and some Lutheran churches. However, it is less common in others. Some Christians who were previously involved in pagan practices may struggle with the use of incense due to its association with those rituals.
Ultimately, the decision to burn incense in the home comes down to personal preference and comfort. For those who enjoy the fragrance and find it enhances their spiritual practice, burning incense can be a way to connect with God and engage in worship. However, it is important to be mindful of others who may have physical reactions to incense or who may associate it with idolatrous practices. As such, it is advisable to use incense in moderation and with sensitivity to one's surroundings and company.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no clear consensus on whether Christians should burn incense. Some Christians believe that burning incense is acceptable as it was offered to Jesus as a gift and is used in Orthodox Christian worship. However, others believe that it is too closely associated with pagan activities and could be construed as an approval of idolatrous practices.
The use of incense is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. God gave instructions for constructing an altar of incense, which was set in the Holy Place before the Holy of Holies. The exact composition of this holy incense is described in Exodus 30:34 and included ingredients such as myrrh, onycha, and frankincense.
Incense is used by some Christians as a symbol of prayer and an affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah. It is also mentioned in the Bible as a sacrifice or offering to God.
Yes, the type of incense used is significant. "Strange incense," or incense that did not follow God's recipe as outlined in Exodus 30:34-36, was forbidden for use in worship.
Yes, some Christians may have concerns about burning incense due to its association with pagan religions and idolatrous practices. Additionally, the motivation behind burning incense is important; if it is done with the intention of increasing the power of prayers or pleasing God, it could be seen as falling into legalism or mysticism.
