Here is how Luther explained the meaning of his seal:
Grace and peace in Christ!
Honorable, kind, dear Sir and Friend!
Since you ask whether my seal15
has come out correctly,16
I shall answer most amiably and tell you of those
thoughts which [now] come to my mind about my seal as a
symbol of my theology.
There is first to be a cross, black
[and placed] in a heart, which should be of its natural
color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in
the Crucified saves us. For if one believes from the
heart he will be justified.17
Even though it is a black cross, [which] mortifies and
[which] also should hurt us, yet it leaves the heart in
its [natural] color [and] does not ruin nature; that is,
[the cross] does not kill but keeps [man] alive. For the
just man lives by faith,18
but by faith in the Crucified One. Such a heart is to be
in the midst of a white rose, to symbolize that faith
gives joy, comfort, and peace; in a word it places the
believer into a white joyful rose; for [this faith] does
not give peace and joy19
as the world gives and, therefore, the rose is to be
white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits
and of all the angels.20
Such a rose is to be in a sky-blue field, [symbolizing]
that such joy in the Spirit and in faith is a beginning
of the future heavenly joy; it is already a part [of
faith], and is grasped through hope, even though not yet
manifest. And around21
this field is a golden ring, [symbolizing] that in
heaven such blessedness lasts forever and has no end,
and in addition is precious beyond all joy and goods,
just as gold is the most valuable22
and precious metal.23
May Christ, our dear Lord, be with
your spirit until the life to come.24
Amen.
15
Luther wrote:
Petschaft.
This suggests a connection with the
Petschaft
mentioned by Jonas on June 25 (see note
2), and not with the
anulus
mentioned by Luther on September 15 (see
note 5).
16
The translation is
based on the
textus receptus.
The text of the Spengler manuscript copy
reads in translation: “… whether my coat of
arms or seal (Petschaft)
in the picture, which you have sent to me,
has come out correctly …”
18
Rom. 1:17. This
quotation and the continuation of the
sentence (to “Crucified One”) are written in
Latin.
20
See
WA,
Br 13, xxxii, to
WA,
Br 5, 445, n. 5.
21
The translation is
based on the Spengler manuscript copy.
22
Literally: “the
highest.”
23
In the Spengler
manuscript copy a sentence is added which
reads in literal translation: “I wished to
have told you of this, my compendium of
theology, in good friendship, and you will
[accept it] in good part.”
24
Literally: “… your
spirit until into that life [i.e., the life
in the eschatological fulfillment just
described].”
Luther, M.
1999, c1972. Vol. 49: Luther's
works, vol. 49 : Letters II (J. J.
Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.).
Luther's Works. Fortress Press: Philadelphia
|
|
What is Faith?
Faith is not the human notion and dream
that some people call faith. When they see that no improvement of
life and no good works follow—although they can hear and say much
about faith—they fall into the error of saying, “Faith is not
enough; one must do works in order to be righteous and be saved.”
This is due to the fact that when they hear the gospel, they get
busy and by their own powers create an idea in their heart which
says, “I believe”; they take this then to be a true faith. But, as
it is a human figment and idea that never reaches the depths of the
heart, nothing comes of it either, and no improvement follows.
Faith, however, is a divine work in us
which changes us and makes us to be born anew of God, John
1[:12–13]. It kills the old Adam and makes us altogether different
men, in heart and spirit and mind and powers; and it brings with it
the Holy Spirit. O it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this
faith. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works
incessantly. It does not ask whether good works are to be done, but
before the question is asked, it has already done them, and is
constantly doing them. Whoever does not do such works, however, is
an unbeliever. He gropes and looks around for faith and good works,
but knows neither what faith is nor what good works are. Yet he
talks and talks, with many words, about faith and good works.
Faith is a living, daring confidence in
God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his
life on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in
God’s grace makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God
and with all creatures. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit
performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is
ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer
everything, out of love and praise to God who has shown him this
grace. Thus it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as
impossible as to separate heat and light from fire. Beware,
therefore, of your own false notions and of the idle talkers who
imagine themselves wise enough to make decisions about faith and
good works, and yet are the greatest fools. Pray God that he may
work faith in you. Otherwise you will surely remain forever without
faith, regardless of what you may think or do.[1]
[1]Luther,
M. 1999, c1960. Vol. 35: Luther's works, vol. 35 :
Word and Sacrament I (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H.
T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works. Fortress Press:
Philadelphia
|
