About the Crest

The Meaning of the Elements in the Heraldic Crest
Liberty University School of Law

The Crosslet
The top of the crest depicts the heraldic Cross Crosslet, made up of four Latin crosses pointing north, south, east and west to symbolize worldwide evangelization. The mission of Liberty University School of Law is to train a new generation of lawyers, judges, educators, policymakers and world leaders in the rule of law from a Christian perspective. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17.

The Shield
Bearing Liberty University School of Law’s patriotic colors of red, white and blue, the trilaterally divided shield is symbolic of the shield of faith. The shield is actually an open scroll representing the Word of God. The trilateral shield contains the Tau Cross. The three sectors inside the shield represent the Trinity and a three-fold cord that provides strength in unity. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.” Isaiah 33:22.

Sword and Trowel
The left side of the shield bears the symbol of Nehemiah, who led a determined community to restore and rebuild the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. With a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other, the people defended the city while they rebuilt its foundations. This symbol depicts the law school’s vision to reestablish the rule of law based on transcendent truth. “I will restore your judges as in days of old, your lawyers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” Isaiah 1:26.

The Word, Torch and Flame
The open Bible on the right side of the shield represents the revealed Word of God in the Holy Scriptures as the foundation of truth and law. The torch is the symbol of liberty and the flame represents knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Proverbs 1:7.

Scales of Justice
The scales of justice at the top of the shield represent equal justice under the law and righteous judgments. When the law is separated from morality and transcendent principles, it becomes a cold instrument of power, but when it is founded upon eternal truth, it is an instrument of justice and a fulcrum for good. “Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne.” Psalm 89:14.

Latin Motto
The words Ad Fontes are Latin for “back to the sources” or “to the fountainhead.” The words sometimes refer to the Protestant Reformation which called for a renewed emphasis on the Bible. For the law school, Ad Fontes refers to a movement back to the original sources and the school’s philosophy of “moving forward through the past.”

Date
Liberty University School of Law was established in 2004 and is part of Liberty University, which was founded in 1971.