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Bethlehem Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - Copyright © 2010 - The Web Guy
While he was a professor at Wittenberg University, Luther devised the seal (see above) which he declared was meant to be "expressive of his theology." In a July 8, 1530 letter written to his friend, Herr Spangler, town clerk of Nuremberg, Germany, Luther interprets his seal.
Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. For one who believes from the heart will be justified" (Rom. 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. "The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matt. 28:3 ; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theoligae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - Copyright © 2010 - The Web Guy
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have eternal life."
~John 3:16 ~
Grace Alone
God loves us, the people of the world,
even though we are sinful, rebel
against Him, and do not deserve His
love. He sent Jesus, His Son, for all
of us, to love us and save us.
Scripture Alone
The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, in which
He reveals His law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.
It is our book of "Instructions" for living a Christian life.
It's all the things God wants to say to us!
Faith Alone
By His suffering, death, and resurrection, as the
substitute for all people of all time, Jesus paid the price of our sin and won forgiveness and eternal life for us.
When we hear this good news and believe it, we have the eternal that it offers. God gives us faith in Christ and gives us forgiveness through Him.
