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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 1 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. |
From The Office of the General Assembly: http://www.pcusa.org/oga/seal.htm |
