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The Seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
is a registered trademark. The seal is comprised of the symbol, the
basic components of which are cross, scripture, a descending dove at
the upper part of the cross, and flames on either side of the lower
part of the cross, and the name of the denomination, Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.), encircles the symbol. It was designed by Malcolm
Grear and Associates.
Each congregation and governing body may use
the seal without receiving prior permission. Any other use requires
prior approval by the Office of the General Assembly. Contact
Bobbie Montgomery for more information.
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The Seal: A Closer
Look 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.
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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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. |
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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 (cup). |
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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.
For more information about the seal design, you
may want to order the book Sealed in Christ by John Mulder, PPC #
18091004, Cost $4.95. To order call: 800-227-2872. |
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