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Description of the Seal of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) Images
from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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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 that 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. |
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| In 1st 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 is 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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