Understanding Light As a Logo Element

This might seem an odd topic to cover with respect to church logos, but the more general heading might be to talk a bit about non-biblical elements used in church logos. If we choose not to use a cross, where there is little ambiguity for misinterpretation, but instead use a river, we might want to think about what rivers symbolize in the Bible before approving of it.

Most symbols don't have much in the way of negative perception attached to them, but I do want to touch briefly on the issue of using light and the sun as a logo element for a church, as I think this bears a little more consideration for some.

Sun worship. First, the reason for my concern is the many peoples throughout time who have practiced sun worship. Of course the ancient Egyptians come to mind, but they are one among many peoples who held the sun as a god over the centuries. In fact, today one could consider aspects of the world environmental movement to be earth/nature/sun worshippers in some measure.

Given this history and even present day reverence by some peoples for the sun, consideration of its use as a symbol for a Christian entity is warranted.

Jesus as light. Additionally, we also see Christ as a source of light for the world--spiritual light for a world in spiritual darkness. This theme is repeated throughout the New Testament. The metaphor is easy for human beings to understand--without light, we are blind. To acribe light to God is to understand more fully the broad nature of His provision and power. Also, Jesus refers to Himself as "the light of the world" (John 8:12), so the view of Christ as light is in keeping with the biblical model.

Possible confusion? Within the North American culture, I see little confusion between Christ as light and worship of light or the sun in general. Since the sun is the most readily identifyable symbol for light, it is frequently used in church logos and media as a reprensentation of God or Christ.

I have chosen to use the sun as a symbol of light, in the context of Christ, in some of the logos I have developed. Some, but not all, of thse logos may contain other Christian references that might make the symbol less ambiguous. My thinking and advice with respect to use of the sun or light as a symbol is to tread carefully and make sure the logo you are using clearly identifies your church as Christ-centered.

I do not think a ban on the sun as a symbol within the context of a church logo is needed. But at the same time I think the sun, as a symbol in particular, needs a bit more study and confirmation than other logo elements if it is to be included or sanctioned as a church logo or part of a church logo. Further, should you be using the symbol internationally with high frequency, I would do a bit of study on other cultures and contexts before introducing it as a symbol of your organization in another nation.

  

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