A bow is not a complete theology
Bowing, kissing, and incense have contexts. Examine the recipient and meaning instead of deciding only from the movement or only from the word used.
Key points
- Gesture: A bodily act expresses a relationship; its outward shape does not settle its religious meaning.
- Recipient: In Joshua 7 the appeal is to the Lord before the Ark. Do not turn the Ark itself into the god addressed.
- Boundary: Nicaea distinguishes reverence from divine adoration. Actual practice must remain faithful to that distinction.
- The strongest defense combines meaning, object, and Church practice. 'It is only veneration' is not an answer to a demonstrated abuse.