VDMA
VDMA, standing for the Latin motto Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum. This symbol was inscribed on swords, cannons and armor used by the Smalcaldic League which was formed to be a mutual defense organization, against the Catholic princes trying to overthrow the Reformation in the various territories of Germany that had embraced it.
The Word of the Lord Endures Forever is the motto of the Lutheran Reformation, a confident expression of the enduring power and authority of God’s Word. The motto is based on Isaiah 40:6-8 quoted by 1 Peter 1:24-25. It first appeared in the court of Frederick the Wise in 1522. He had it sewn onto the right sleeve of the court’s official clothing, which was worn by prince and servant alike. It was used by Frederick’s successors, his brother John the Steadfast, and his nephew John Frederick the Magnanimous. It became the official motto of the Smalcaldic League and was used on flags, banners, swords, and uniforms as a symbol of the unity of the Lutheran laity who struggled to defend their beliefs, communities, families and lives against those who were intent on destroying them.*
*From Concordia The Lutheran Confessions, by Concordia Publishing House. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
What is this?
How about a VDMA polo and Cap from CPH?
What does it stand for?
@Susan James
See the post again, added explanation.
VDMA Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum (Latin: The Word Of God Resides In Eternity)
Our congregation’s church building (Incarnate Word, Rochester, NY) has a single large bell in its tall steeple. There are inscriptions on opposite sides of it. One is: “Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum”; the other is: “Gottes Wort und Luthers Lehr vergehet nun und Nimmermehr” (“God’s Word and Luther’s teaching endure now and evermore”.
The bell was gifted in the 1850s to one of our two predecessor congregations (Zion, 1832) by Jenny Lind, a famous Swedish opera singer of the time who was then on tour in the U.S., and attended service at Zion. When Zion merged in 1961 with Concordia (1872) to form Incarnate Word, the bell came “mit”.
Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. every day, the bell strikes the number of the hour and once on the half hour. During The Service on Sunday mornings, however, it strikes continuously during the congregation’s prayer of the “Vater Unser” (an old custom brought from Germany). Rain or shine, it rings loud and clear.
I would like to see a well-crafted lapel pin. I would wear it faithfully.
Does the use of the motto VDMA have specific ties to martial usage, or has it also been used in other capacities (VDMA in my mind speaks to a more generally applicable truth). I’m thinking of making a wall cross incorporating it in some manner.
The VDMA logo can be used for multiple purposes. Go for it.
@Wes Nierman
Seconded.