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In a July
8, 1530 letter to Lazarus Spengler, Luther interprets his seal:
Grace and peace from the
Lord.As you desire to know whether my painted
seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I
shall answer most amiably and tell you my
original thoughts and reason about why my seal
is a symbol of my theology. The first should be
a black cross in a heart, which retains its
natural color, so that I myself would be
reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us.
"For one who believes from the heart will be
justified" (Rom. 10:10).
Although it is indeed a black cross, which
mortifies and which should also cause pain, it
leaves the heart in its natural color. It does
not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill
but keeps alive. "The just shall live by faith"
(Rom. 1:17) but by
faith in the crucified. Such a heart should
stand in the middle of a white rose, to show
that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In
other words, it places the believer into a
white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give
peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27).
That is why the rose should be white and not
red, for white is the color of the spirits and
the angels (cf. Matt. 28:3;
John 20:12).
Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field,
symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is
a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which
begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet
revealed. And around this field is a golden
ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in
Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such
blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and
goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most
precious and best metal. This is my compendium
theologiae [summary of theology]. I have wanted
to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for
your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord,
be with your spirit until the life hereafter.
Amen.
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