A Foreword by Frank C. Burk

This is devoted exclusively to the interpretation, in brief form, of the symbolism of our own church building and its appointments.  It is in no way to be taken as a general treatise.  A number of the explanations are personal versions or deductions based upon a number of years of research and analysis by Mr. Frank Burk.  Furthermore, all information is given from the traditional Lutheran point of view.

Not all of the subjects are actually symbols.  Some may be emblems, figures, or types, but for the sake of simplicity, we will, in most cases, refer to them by the one familiar term - symbols.

In a broad sense, symbolism includes every means of conveying through, and there could be no social life without it.  We will, however, treat it as a special code in connection with or aside from our regular written and spoken language.  Christian symbolism is essentially the code system of expressing important religious facts and providing beauty as well as emphasis.

Practically all of the subjects are suggested by the Bible from which we learn that symbolism was used by the patriarchs, judges, kings, prophets, apostles and by God Himself.  The expressions of Jesus Christ were largely symbolic.  We recall a few Biblical quotations such as "Out of Jacob shall come a Star" -- "The Lion of the Tribe of Juda" -- "Take up the Cross and follow me" -- I am the Vine, ye are the Branches" -- "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain" and so on.  Two of these were taken from the book of the Revelation of St. John, a book which would be practically meaningless without a comprehensive knowledge of its great content of symbols.