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[ Early Years ] [ His Teachings ] [ 95 Theses ] [ Reforms ] [ Diet of Worms ] [ Later Years ] [ His Seal ]
While a
professor at Wittenberg, Luther devised this seal which he declared was meant to
be "expressive of his theology." This explanation is the gist of
a letter written to his friend, Herr Spengler, town clerk of Nuremberg. On
the sign for St. John you will find the seal of Martin Luther reflective of his
theology. He wrote these words regarding his seal:
"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
not 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 ground, to denote that such joy of
faith in the spirit is but an earnest and beginning of heavenly joy to come, as
anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed.
And
around this ground base 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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