Emblems

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Emblems

ELCA Graphic Emblem

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

MORE THAN ANOTHER MARKING AMID THE CLUTTER

An emblem can be more than merely another visual marking amid the clutter

of this "information age." In fact, I hope that the emblem of our Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America will serve, for each of us, as a reminder of the One

who unites us, calls us, and sends us namely, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

For more Information go to: http://www.stpaulspittsford.org/emblem.html

The Luther Rose, Lutheran Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church West Plains, Missouri

"Martin Luther's Seal"

or "The Luther Rose"

While he was a professor at Wittenberg University, Martin Luther designed this seal

which he declared was meant to be "expressive of his theology."

The following letter was written to his friend, Herr Spangler, town clerk in Nuremberg, Germany.

July 8, 1530

Grace and peace in Christ!

Honorable, kind, dear Sir and Friend!

Since you ask whether my seal has come out correctly, I shall answer most amiably and tell

you of those thoughts which now come to my mind about my seal as a symbol of my theology.

There is first to be a cross, black, and placed in a heart, which should be of its natural color (red),

to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saved us. For if one believes from the heart, he will

be justified. Even though it is a black cross, which mortifies and which also should hurt us, yet it

leaves the heart in its natural color and does not ruin nature that is, the cross does not kill, but

keeps man alive. For the just shall live by faith, by faith in the Savior. Such a heart is to be in the

midst of a white rose, to symbolize that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In a word, it places the

believer into a white joyful rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy as the world gives.

Therefore, the rose is to be white, not red, for white is the color of the spirits and of all angels.

This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in the Spirit and in faith

is a beginning of the future heavenly joy. It is already a part of faith, and is grasped through hope,

even though not yet manifest. And around this field is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in

heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and goods, just as gold is the most valuable

and precious metal. May Christ, our dear Lord, be with your spirit until the life to come. Amen.

Luther's Works

American Edition

Volume 49, pp. 356 - 359

The seal has been used by Lutherans worldwide.

St. Paul Lutheran Church ELCA West Plains Missouri, Synod, ELCA Churches in Missouri, Multi-Media-Audio Center, Multi-Video-Center, Adult Bible Study, Youth Sunday School, Links, Lutheran Church , Ask the pastor, Special Events, Photo Events, Mission, ELCA, Calendar, Contact Us, Craft Group, About Us, Prayer Request, Immanuel, Lords Table for the sacrament of Holy Communion, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America


	St. Paul Lutheran Church Emblems ELCA Graphic Emblem Copyright © 1998 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America MORE THAN ANOTHER MARKING AMID THE CLUTTER An emblem can be more than merely another visual marking amid the clutter of this "information age." In fact, I hope that the emblem of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will serve, for each of us, as a reminder of the One who unites us, calls us, and sends us namely, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For more Information go to: http://www.stpaulspittsford.org/emblem.html "Martin Luther's Seal" or "The Luther Rose" While he was a professor at Wittenberg University, Martin Luther designed this seal which he declared was meant to be "expressive of his theology." The following letter was written to his friend, Herr Spangler, town clerk in Nuremberg, Germany. July 8, 1530 Grace and peace in Christ! Honorable, kind, dear Sir and Friend! Since you ask whether my seal has come out correctly, I shall answer most amiably and tell you of those thoughts which now come to my mind about my seal as a symbol of my theology. There is first to be a cross, black, and placed in a heart, which should be of its natural color (red), to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saved us. For if one believes from the heart, he will be justified. Even though it is a black cross, which mortifies and which also should hurt us, yet it leaves the heart in its natural color and does not ruin nature that is, the cross does not kill, but keeps man alive. For the just shall live by faith, by faith in the Savior. Such a heart is to be in the midst of a white rose, to symbolize that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In a word, it places the believer into a white joyful rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy as the world gives. Therefore, the rose is to be white, not red, for white is the color of the spirits and of all angels. This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in the Spirit and in faith is a beginning of the future heavenly joy. It is already a part of faith, and is grasped through hope, even though not yet manifest. And around this field is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and goods, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal. May Christ, our dear Lord, be with your spirit until the life to come. Amen. Luther's Works American Edition Volume 49, pp. 356 - 359 The seal has been used by Lutherans worldwide. St. Paul Lutheran Church ELCA West Plains Missouri, Synod, ELCA Churches in Missouri, Multi-Media-Audio Center, Multi-Video-Center, Adult Bible Study, Youth Sunday School, Links, Lutheran Church , Ask the pastor, Special Events, Photo Events, Mission, ELCA, Calendar, Contact Us, Craft Group, About Us, Prayer Request, Immanuel, Lords Table for the sacrament of Holy Communion, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America