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.
![[ cross ]](churchpic/crcross.gif) |
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. |
| 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. |
![[ book ]](churchpic/crbook.gif) |
![[ dove ]](churchpic/crdove.gif) |
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. |
| 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. |
![[ pulpit ]](churchpic/crpulpit.gif) |
![[ flames ]](churchpic/crfire.gif) |
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. |
| The 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. |
![[ triangle ]](churchpic/crtrian.gif) |
![[ fish ]](churchpic/crfishcp.gif) |
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 (cup). |
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 encompasing
visual and symbolic unity, while not exhausting the richness of possible interpretations.
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