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Martin Luther's Seal
Last Updated On:
Saturday February 13, 2010 |
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Designed by Dr. Martin Luther, the Luther Coat
of Arms
has become the world-wide symbol of the Lutheran Church. |
| This explanation is the gist of a letter
written to his friend, Herr Spengler, town clerk of Nuremberg. |
The Luther Rose:
- "The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross, black,
within the heart, to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saves us. 'For with the
heart man believeth unto righteousness.' Now, although the cross is black, mortified, and
intended to cause pain, yet it does nor change the color of the heart,
does
not destroy nature (i.e., does not kill, but keeps alive). 'For the just shall live by
faith,' by faith in the Savior.
- But this heart is fixed upon the center of a white rose,
to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace.
- The rose is white, not red, because white is the ideal
color of all angels and blessed spirits.
- This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-colored background,
to denote that such joy of faith in the spirit is but an earnest beginning of heavenly joy
to come, as anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed.
- And around this groundbase is a golden ring, to signify
that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and treasures, since
gold is the best and most precious metal. Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto
eternal life."
Martin Luther
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