The Things Intermediate, Adiaphora, Semiophora

On the Book by Burkhard Kunkel (review)

Abstract

The Author discusses the issue of the place and function of images in the space of Lutheran churches initiated by the new book by Burkhard Kunkel. Contrary the title the book is not devoted to creating the images and to controversies between the main representatives of the Reformation and between its different fractions. The main theme comprises the issues of both the presence, the acceptance of diverse
Medieval, pre-Reformation legacy things found in adopted churches – not only the paintings or sculptures, but other furnishings and liturgical equipment, as well as
prints. However much more important is the process of their handling, the diverse schemes of accepting or rejecting them or modification of those things for new denominational needs. The author discusses also – touched upon by Kunkel – the issue of their function as adiaphora, their significance as semiophora: not belonging among
the denominational principia of the Lutheran Reformation, however of a very strong identification meaning.