If you look into church history it is fairly easy to see the use of images was political. I've explained before in
the Controversy Over Images and
the Pious Use of Icons.
A fundamental difference between churches that allow or use images seems to be in their lack of understanding of the Gospel. In such churches you will find a blend of paganism, traditionalism, etc. all obscuring the Gospel, teaching professed believers to rely in religious means instead of Christ alone. Superstition gives these practices power and should be avoided.
Augustine agrees with scripture when answering the following rationalization made by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox denominations, "the image itself is not worshiped, but is rather only a means by which God might be worshiped."
"the inspired writers guard against these things, lest any one should say, when the idols have been ridiculed, “I worship not this visible thing, but the divinity which doth invisibly dwell therein.” Thus in another Psalm the same Scripture thus condemneth these divinities. As for all the Gods of the heathen, they are but idols : but it is the Lord that made the heavens. The Apostle also saith ; Not that the idol is any thing, but that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." (for context please see link provided below)
For the complete article:
here
Eusebius speaks to the issue
here.
Nazarius, "But now your injury will make his patience the more commendable: they will long more keenly for him if no picture represents him. The desires of the spirit are more passionate when they have lost the consolation which the eyes provide."
Source
Yours in the Lord,
jm
