Lance Carson
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East. In Christianity, the use of incense is inspired by passages in the Bible and is often used in prayer and worship. The burning of incense is seen as a symbol of reverence and dedication, with the smoke representing the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is used in various Christian denominations, including the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran churches, and Methodist churches. While some Christians embrace the use of incense, others may struggle with it due to its association with pagan religions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religious use | Used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, benediction, and exposition of the Eucharist |
| Used by neo-pagans and Wiccans in procedures designed to release power and invoke spells | |
| Used by Jews as a symbol of prayer | |
| Used by priests within the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic tradition, and some Lutheran churches | |
| Used by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC | |
| Used in ancient Egypt, China, and the Middle East | |
| Symbolism | Smoke rising to heaven as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful |
| Symbol of reverence and dedication | |
| Symbol of adoration and worship given to Christ | |
| Symbol of Christ's divinity | |
| Symbol of Christ's sacrifice | |
| Symbol of Christ as the light of the world | |
| Symbol of the cooperative affinity between Christ's blood and the prayers of Christians |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used in Christian worship
The use of incense in Christian worship has its roots in antiquity and the ancient religious practices of Egypt, China, India, the Middle East, and the Jewish faith. The burning of incense is referenced in the Old Testament, where God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for burning incense as a holy act of worship.
In Christian worship, incense is burned during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, benediction, and the consecration of churches or altars. Incense is also used in private homes by Christians to create an atmosphere of peace and to aid in their prayers.
The use of incense in Christian worship has been increasing among some Christian groups, including Methodists and the emergent church movement, which seeks to return to "vintage" Christianity. However, due to the historical association of incense with pagan religions, some Christians may struggle with its use, not wanting to be associated with idolatrous practices.
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Incense is a symbol of prayer
The use of incense as a symbol of prayer has a long history in various religions, including Christianity. The practice has its origins in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. In Christianity, the use of incense is inspired by passages in the Bible, and it carries symbolic and ritual meanings.
Incense has been employed in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican and Methodist Churches. The smoke rising from burning incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven. This symbolism is reflected in Bible verses such as Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, St. John describes elders in heaven holding "gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones."
The use of incense in Christian rituals serves multiple purposes. During the Offertory of the Mass, for instance, the priest may incense the gifts placed on the altar, the cross, and the altar itself, symbolising the Church's offering and prayer rising like incense before God. Incense is also used to show reverence and dedication, such as during funeral masses, where incensing the body symbolises respect for the deceased who was once the temple of God. Additionally, incensing the Book of Gospels indicates reverence for the word of God and Christ himself.
While incense plays a significant role in Christian worship, its use is not without controversy. Due to its association with pagan religions, some Christians, particularly those with backgrounds in paganism, may struggle with incorporating incense into their practices. They may view its use as potentially condoning idolatrous practices, as mentioned in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.
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Incense is burned at funerals
The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries symbolic meaning. Incense burning is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
Burning incense is also a sign of reverence and dedication. Incensing the altar shows respect for Christ, whom the altar represents, and his sacrifice made present upon it. Incensing the Easter candle is, again, a sign of reverence for Christ, who is the light of the world. Incense burning has seen a resurgence among the emergent church movement in an effort to return to 'vintage' Christianity.
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Incense is used in private homes
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries symbolic meaning. Incense is burned to represent the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, and as a sign of reverence and dedication. For instance, incensing the body at a funeral Mass symbolises respect for the body that once housed God. Incense is also used to show respect for the word of God and Christ himself, as seen in the incensing of the Book of Gospels and the Easter candle.
The practice of burning incense has its roots in antiquity, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. It has been used for religious purposes in ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East, as well as by Jews in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The Bible mentions the burning of incense as a divine command, with God instructing Moses and Aaron on the times, places, and methods of burning it.
Today, incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, benediction, and other services. It is also used in private homes by Christians who wish to create an atmosphere of peace and unity in their place of prayer.
While incense has a long history in Christian worship, some Christians may struggle with its use due to its association with pagan religions. However, the use of incense in Christianity is rooted in biblical passages and carries symbolic significance, representing reverence, dedication, and the offering of prayers to God and Christ.
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Incense is linked to pagan religions
The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and the consecration of a church or altar, among other services.
Incense has been used for religious purposes since ancient times in Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. Incense was also used in ancient Egypt during liturgies honoring Amun-Ra and mortuary rituals to speed souls to the afterlife. The ancient Greeks and Romans burned incense as offerings to their gods.
Incense is also used by modern pagans and Wiccans in procedures designed to release power and invoke spells. Pagans may use incense as a sacrifice of being, usually done in a sacrifice of place and time. Incense can also be used to set the mood for a ritual and/or purify the area. Some pagans make their own incense at home by grinding roots, resins, woods, dried herbs, flowers, and spices with a mortar and pestle. The resulting powder is then burned on hot coals inside a censer.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible does not mention Christ using incense. However, the use of incense is mentioned in the Old Testament, where God gave Moses instructions for making incense with storax, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
Incense is often associated with prayer and worship in the Bible. It is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where incense is used in heavenly worship, representing the prayers of the saints rising up to God.
Yes, according to the Bible, the Magi offered Christ frankincense as a gift, symbolising his divinity.
Incense is still used in Christian worship today, especially in Eastern Orthodox churches, Roman Catholic traditions, and some Lutheran churches. The types of incense used can vary and often include frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, styrax, or copal.
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