he most enduring
symbol of the Lutheran Reformation is the seal that Luther himself designed to
represent his theology. By the early 1520s, this seal begins to appear on the
title page of Luther’s works.
Here is how Luther
himself explained its meaning:
First, there is a
black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me
that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from
the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which
mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It
doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive,
for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart
should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives
joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith
does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the
rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf.
Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field,
symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future
joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around
the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven
lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy
and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious
metal.
(From: Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus
Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain)
Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things
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