Can a Christian Burn Incense?
The use of incense in worship and prayer is a practice that dates back thousands of years and continues today in some Christian denominations and traditions. However, there are disagreements among Christians as to whether or not the burning of incense is acceptable for believers. This article will examine what the Bible says about incense and evaluate the arguments for and against the use of incense by Christians.
What is Incense?
Incense is aromatic matter that releases fragrant smoke when burned. It is made from various natural materials including resins, barks, flowers, spices, and essential oils. Incense has been used for spiritual purposes across many religions and cultures throughout history. The smoke from burning incense is seen as a symbol of prayers rising to heaven. The fragrant smell is thought to create an atmosphere conducive to worship, prayer, and meditation.
In the Bible
There are around 140 references to incense in the Bible depending on the translation. Incense was closely associated with worship in both Old and New Testament times. God provided detailed instructions for burning incense in the tabernacle and temple using specially formulated incense recipes (Exodus 30:34-38). Incense burning was conducted by priests as part of daily offerings and sacrifices (Exodus 30:7-8). The imagery of incense being accepted by God symbolized prayer and was described poetically in passages like Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 8:3-4.
However, the Bible does not explicitly command or prohibit the use of incense by regular believers outside of temple and tabernacle worship. Most references connect incense with the specialized priestly duties in the temple rather than personal or corporate worship and prayer. While incense clearly played an important symbolic role in biblical times, the Bible alone does not definitively answer whether regular burning of incense is acceptable for Christians today.
Arguments For Christian Use of Incense
Those who believe using incense in Christian worship and prayer is biblically permissible make several arguments:
1. Incense is portrayed positively as part of worship throughout the Bible. God expected and accepted incense offered in the tabernacle and temple. There are no verses prohibiting general use of incense by God’s people. It brings a sweet aroma before the Lord (Leviticus 2:2).
2. Prayer in Revelation 5:8 is depicted as incense before God’s throne. Using incense is a way to symbolize prayers rising to heaven.
3. Incense adds a multi-sensory dimension to worship and prayer. The sight and smell can help focus our minds on God and spiritual things.
4. Burning incense has been part of Christian history from the early church. Many venerated saints and pre-Reformation Christian leaders used incense regularly.
5. Some Bible verses associate incense with prayer. “Let my prayer be set before you like incense” (Psalm 141:2). This suggests incense can accompany prayer.
6. Jesus said nothing to condemn the priests burning incense in the temple during his life on Earth. Within the context of worship there appears to be biblical precedent for using incense.
7. Incense can be used to consecrate places and objects to God’s service and glory. Throughout the Bible anointing oil and incense were used in the consecration of the tabernacle, temple, altars, priests, etc.
Based on these arguments, some Christian denominations like Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and some Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist churches have traditionally incorporated incense into their worship services and prayer practices. They believe it adds an important spiritual symbolism, connects with biblical heritage, and facilitates an atmosphere of worship, even if the Bible does not explicitly command it.
Arguments Against Christian Use of Incense
Those who believe burning incense is inappropriate for Christian practice generally make the following case:
1. None of the instruction regarding incense use in the Bible is directed at regular believers. It was specifically for priestly tabernacle and temple duties. There are no examples of ordinary people using incense in personal prayer and worship.
2. Jesus inaugurated a new covenant in his death and resurrection. The ceremonial laws governing temple worship in the Old Testament, including incense offerings, are fulfilled in Christ. They are no longer binding for the church.
3. The New Testament gives no instruction about incense when describing church worship and prayer. While it describes singing, teaching, communion, offerings, baptism, and other elements, it never mentions incense.
4. Burning incense today could be perceived as an unnecessary religious ritual empty of meaning rather than genuine worship and prayer. It could become a meaningless practice not guided by scripture.
5. Using incense could be seen as unnecessarily symbolic and distracting from focus on biblical worship and prayer. It risks elevating aesthetic experience over sound doctrine and practice.
6. Incense is not needed to facilitate prayer. Jesus taught that we can pray directly to God because of his mercy and grace. People can worship and commune with the Holy Spirit without sensory aids like incense.
7. The offering of incense as temple worship was fulfilled in Christ as the perfect high priest and offering (Hebrews 7:26-28). Christians now offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and righteous living (Hebrews 13:15-16).
These concerns about lack of instruction, outdated ceremonial laws, potential distractions, and sufficiency of Christ lead some Christians to argue that incense has no place in corporate or private worship and prayer today.
Other Perspectives
There are some other perspectives on the issue of Christians and incense beyond those who are for or against its use:
1. Indifference: Some Christians believe use of incense is neither commanded nor forbidden. It is a matter of personal conviction and Christian liberty. If it helps some people connect with God it can be fine, but it should not be imposed on others.
2. Cultural Adaptation: Adapting worship practices like incense to different cultural contexts may be appropriate so long as it does not compromise core doctrine and biblical principles. Customs can help people relate to Christ if inculturated wisely.
3. Moderation: Incense could have limited or occasional uses in Christian gatherings, but it should not become an unduly prominent or indispensable component that distracts from biblical truth and practices.
4. Avoid Potential Problems: Incense may not be intrinsically wrong, but it can become ritualistic, promote mystical ideas, or become a superficial substitute for a relationship with Jesus. These potential hazards may mean avoiding it is the wisest option.
5. Wait on the Lord: Sincere Christians can disagree on this practice. With open hands, we can wait on the Lord in humility, study the scriptures, and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit together on disputable matters.
These perspectives try to navigate between the different biblical arguments and church traditions on incense use in a thoughtful way. They aim for unity in love and avoiding unnecessary division over disputable matters. There is room for principled, gracious disagreement.
Conclusion
There is no definitive “yes” or “no” biblical answer on Christians using incense today. Sincere believers interpret the scriptures differently on this issue. All agree incense was central in Old Testament temple worship. But people divide on how instructions for priests and temple offerings apply symbolically and practically for Christians now. The New Testament neither commands nor prohibits incense for regular believers.
In the end, every Christian must be fully convinced in their own mind what God would have them do on potentially disputable issues (Romans 14:5). We must also be quick to extend grace, patience, and understanding to other believers who see things differently. As in all things, we look to Jesus Christ as our model of faithful obedience to the Father and worship in spirit and truth.