Pope Francis sent Buckingham Palace a relic of what the Vatican claims is a piece of the cross Jesus was crucified on for inclusion in King Charles’ coronation. Are relics a form of idolatry or the worshipping of such relics idolatry?

In response to the first question, Is a relic idolatry? It depends a lot upon the motivation of the heart of the giver and the recipient. For instance, all through the Old Testament the Lord instructed his people to leave altars in places for them to remember what He had done for them, Noah on Ararat (Gen. 8:20), Abraham at Bethel (Gen. 12:8), Isaac at Beer-Sheba (Gen. 26:25), and Jacob at Shechem (Gen. 33:20). This is just the list from the beginning patriarchs of the faith. Things to remember God’s promises are a good thing. However, often these items, relics in this case, begin to grow in importance in the minds of believers. Paul in Romans 1:18-32 brings this very thing to the forefront of our thoughts. In this passage of His letter He states, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” ESV. 

In the case of the Pope sending a relic for the coronation of the King of England, it appears that the Pope is using this to validate the installation of the new King in the eyes of God. The thought that a relic is needed for any type of acceptance from the Lord is an exchange of His glory that He displayed upon the cross for some perceived glory, or power, of an item associated with Him. Therefore, with the purpose of sending the relic being an exchange of glory, this is idolatry. However, holding on to an item that reminds us of the faithfulness of God can be a wonderful thing to make a part of your life, because we as sinful fallen humans too often forget what wonderful gifts the Lord has bestowed upon us. 

As for the second question, Is the coronation of a king, itself, outside of the Church of England, considered idol worship? This is not idol worship unless the motivation of the hearts of the people are to place this man, and his rule, above the Lord. The governments of this world are separate from the one that Jesus established during His time here on earth. The nation of the Lord is one that is an “already ready-not yet” reality. Paul in Ephesians tell us that we are a people, citizens of a new nation, “you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”(ESV). Therefore, this citizenship should be our first and foremost priority, because it is what Christ died for to make us a part of. However, we must juxtapose this against Jesus’s words, “…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s…” We live with manmade governments, so if that government is a monarchy, then the proper respect due to that government must be given. 

Again all this must be under grace and truth and with our brothers and sisters in faith getting the benefit of the doubt. Too often we jump to pointing out sin or perceived heresy in those who claim to be followers of Christ. Unless we have dealt with the sin in our hearts and have studied the Word of God to support what we say, the best thing that we can do is to pray for our brothers and sisters to God the Father that He will lead them in grace and truth. 

Blessings, 

Austin Strange

My name is Austin Strange. I am a disciple of Christ of 22 years, a husband of 12 years, and a father of 6 from ages 8 to newborn. I hold a Master’s of Education from Rockhurst University and am a trained Colson Fellow. Currently I live a bi-vocational lifestyle as a Pastoral Resident in a non-denominational church  where I am the Director of Student Ministries and a stay-at-home dad where I homeschool my children.

“For the word of God is loving and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 CSB