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Presbyterian Church USA - Meaning our the Church Seal
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The seal of the
Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) is a symbolic
statement of the church's heritage, identity, and mission in
contemporary form. Its power depends on both its simplicity and
complexity, as well as its traditional and enduring qualities. |
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The basic
symbols in the seal are the cross, Scripture, the dove, and
flames. The dominant structural and theological element in the
design is the cross -- the universal and most ecumenical symbol
of the Christian church. The cross represents the incarnate love
of God in Jesus Christ, and his passion and resurrection.
Because of its association with Presbyterian history, the Celtic
cross was chosen as a model for this contemporary rendering of
the ancient symbol. |
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| In
experimenting with the basic lines and shapes of the cross, the
contour of a book began to emerge in the horizontal section, and
the two center lines of the cross became the representation of
an open book. This integration of the horizontal dimensions of
the cross with the book motif highlights the emphasis which the
Reformed tradition has placed on the role of Scripture as a
means of knowing God's word. |
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The
slightly-flared shape of the Celtic cross also makes possible
the transforming of the uppermost section into the shape of a
descending dove. As a symbol of the holy Spirit, the dove is
intimately tied to the representation of the Bible, affirming
the role of the Spirit in both inspiring and interpreting
Scripture in the life of the church. The dove also symbolizes
Christ's baptism by John and the peace and wholeness which his
death and resurrection bring to a broken world. |
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| Beneath
the image of the book is the suggestion of a lectern or pulpit,
which captures the important role of preaching in the history of
Presbyterian worship. |
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Integrated
into the lower part of the design are flames which form an
implied triangle, a traditional symbol of the Trinity. The
flames themselves convey a double meaning: a symbol of
revelation in the Old Testament when God spoke to Moses from the
burning bush, and a suggestion of the beginning of the Christian
church when Christ manifested himself to his apostles at
Pentecost and charged them to be messengers of the good news of
God's love. |
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triangle also suggests the nature of Presbyterian government,
with its concern for balance and order, dividing authority
between ministers of the Word and laypersons and between
different governing bodies. This understanding of the church was
based in part on an important idea in Reformed theology, the
covenant, which God establishes with people to affirm God's
enduring love and to call us to faith and obedience to Jesus
Christ. |
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Looking
more closely at some of the visual components of the design,
viewers may discover elements that seem to fuse with some of the
more obvious theological symbols. In the shape of the descending
dove, for example, one might also discern in the body of the
bird, the form of a fish, an early-Christian sign for Christ,
recalling his ministry to those who hunger. For some, the
overall design evokes the calligraphy of Hebrew and Greek
manuscripts. Others have seen a baptismal font or a communion
chalice. |
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| In I
Corinthians, Paul described the church as a body with many
members, illustrating the pluralism of the church and the many
gifts which God gives to its members. So also the seal's
individual parts, when taken together, form an encompassing
visual and symbolic unity, while not exhausting the richness of
possible interpretations. |
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| The Presbyterian Symbol
depicted in graphic images available on this system are copyright © 1985
by the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). All
rights reserved. License to use the symbol has been granted by the
General Assembly to each governing body of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.). Any other use requires prior approval by the Office of the
General Assembly. |
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