The Christian flag is somewhere between a joke and a disgrace.
The creation of the Christian flag dates back to Sunday, September 26, 1897. On this fateful Sunday morning, Brighton Chapel on Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY, expected to have a guest speaker. Unfortunately, that guest speaker cancelled at last minute. With no emergency backup planned, Charles C. Overton, the Sunday school superintendent of Brighton Chapel, led a class discussion on how a Christian flag should appear. Based off that discussion, as well as many years of editing and revising, Charles C. Overton would team up with Ralph Eugene Diffendorfer, the Methodist Young People's Missionary Movement secretary, to create the Christian flag. According to the creators, the ground (fancy term for the main background of a flag) is white to represent purity, the canton (fancy term for the top-left quadrant of a flag) is blue to represent baptism and the blue sky in which heaven resides, and the red cross in the blue canton represents the death of Jesus, for he shed his blood on the cross. While Christian church denominations (Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant alike) have had their own flag, this flag is typically called the Christian flag because of its wide acceptance across several church denominations.
Let's be honest here. While the creators of the Christian flag would probably never admit it, they probably subconsciously received inspiration from the flag of the United States of America. The 2 flags share way too much in common. Both flags share in common the colors of red, white and blue. Both flags have the white in the ground of the flag. Both flags have a blue canton (arguably the same shade of blue, too!). It's bad enough that Christian flag imitates the flag of the United States of America so much that it borderlines ripping off the United States flag. What makes that worse is a true Christian flag, a flag representing Christians from all nations, tribes, people groups and languages (Revelation 7:9), should not associate so closely to a human nation. This rings especially true for the United States of America, where too many American Christians (more like Christian Americans) believe the United States of America is a Christian nation, or worse, God's new blessed, favorite nation to replace Israel (i.e. a new Israel).
Well that ends right here right now. I believe that I have created a better Christian flag. Not only does my redesign of the Christian flag depart from the traditional Christian flag's commonalities with the United States flag, thus alleviating the problematic nature of copying the United States (as mentioned in the previous paragraph), my redesign of the Christian better encapsulates the gospel message preached by the Bible. If the creators of the traditional Christian flag subconsciously found their inspiration in the United States flag, my redesign of the Christian flag got its inspiration from the Wordless Book colors. To further cement why my redesign of the Christian flag stands superior to the traditional Christian flag, I will defend the symbolism of the colors represented with Bible verses. Without further ado, I present my improved redesign of the Christian flag.
The left third of the flag's ground is a solid black rectangle. Black is chosen because it is the darkest color. The dark black represents the dark heart of the depraved human being, full of sin. When it comes to sin, the depraved human has 3 strikes against him or her. First, all human beings are born in sin (Genesis 8:21; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12). Second, all humans have a sin nature, which craves, desires and wants to sin (Jeremiah 7:24 & 17:9). Third, man commits sins that breaks God's laws (James 2:10 & 1 John 3:4) and grieves the Lord (Genesis 6:5&6; Isaiah 63:10; Jeremiah 8:8-10; Ephesians 4:30). This also includes neglecting and withholding doing good just as much as committing evil and wicked sins (James 4:17). Therefore, the grand conclusion is that all humanity has sinned (Psalms 14:1-3 & 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10,23 & 5:12). and therefore, the black rectangle on the left of the flag not only represents sin but also represents humankind. With the verdict guilty of sin, the sentence passed declares mankind deserving death (Romans 5:12 & 6:23), which is separation from the holy God (Isaiah 59:2). The black part of the flag also fittingly belongs on the left side of the Christian flag because the Christian has left behind the old sinful self (this wordplay probably on works in English).
The right third of the flag's ground is a solid white rectangle. White is chosen because it is the cleanest of the colors. The clean white symbolizes the clean, pure heart of the Christian, who is declared righteous in God's plan of salvation. While no one can do any work to earn this free gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8&9 and Titus 3:5), to receive this free gift of salvation, a person must respond accordingly. The response is threefold. First, the person must confess sin (1 John 1:9). Second, the person must make a statement of faith, believing in Jesus Christ (John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24 6:47, 20:31; Acts 10:43 & 16:31; Romans 10:9). Third, the person must choose to call Jesus their Lord (John 1:12; Acts 2:21, Romans 10:9&13). Both terms the Bible uses for Lord, אדֹנִ֨ (adonai) in the Hebrew Old Testament and κύριος (kurios) in the Greek New Testament, is what slaves called their master. Therefore, to choose to call Jesus Lord means to submit to his rule and his will, including everything from his laws and commands to his plan for your life. The clean white rectangle also serves a reminder of the promises the Christian for his or her covenant relationship with Jesus, for clean white robes is part of that promise (Revelation 3:4 & 7:14). More importantly, Christians receive the promise of forgiven sins (Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Acts 10:43; 1 John 1:9), membership in the family of God (Romans 8:16; 2 Corinthians 8:16; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:19; 1 John 1:3) and eternal life (John 3:16&36, 5:24, 6:47,54,68, 10:25, 12:50, 17:2&3; Romans 2:7, 5:21, 6:22&23; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 John 2:25 & 5:11-20) in Heaven (John 14:1-4) and eventually the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21&22). The Christian also receives the promise of the Lord neither abandoning or forsaking the Christian (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5-9; Psalm 37:25; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Hebrews 13:5), but rather, a helper on our side (Psalm 27:1, 56:4&11, 118:6; Hebrews 13:6). The white part of the flag also fittingly belongs on the right side of the Christian flag because the clean white represents being in the right with God (that wordplay also probably only works in English).
A large red cross connects the dark black part of the flag and the clean white part of the flag. The red color represents blood. Early on, the Lord taught his people the necessity of blood for atonement (Leviticus 19:11). The New Covenant did not change that (Hebrews 9:22). Therefore, it became crucial that the Messiah, in order to truly save his people, would have to shed his blood, in order to forgive, purify and atone. This sacrificial Messiah would become known as Jesus Christ, the son of Joseph, of Nazareth. His atoning sacrifice would take place crucified on the cross, hence the cross on the flag. The prophets foretold of it (Isaiah 53:5). All 4 Gospel authors recorded the events (Matthew 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; John 19-21). The Epistle writers would highlight the crucifixion and resurrection (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3&4; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 2:24 & 3:18; 1 John 1:7). Early on, God taught his people that atoning sacrifice could have neither defect nor flaw (Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 22:20; Deuteronomy 17:1). Thus, this Jesus Christ, the son of Joseph, of Nazareth, is perfect, living the perfect life, without sinning (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). For making through life perfect, without sin, and for becoming the Messiah by become blood sacrifice, the Lord God has exalted Jesus to the highest throne in heaven, where he receives all the glory, honor and praise (Philippians 2:9).
The gold (not yellow) halo behind the red cross reminds of the divine nature of Jesus Christ (John 1:1,14,18, 10:30, 20:38; Philippians 2:5&6; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). Therefore, in turn, the gold halo invites thinking about the doctrine of God. The symbolism works wonderfully. Early in Christian iconography, only the divine received halos, so all three entities of the trinity would receive halos. Furthermore, the gold reminds of the streets of heaven (Revelation 21:22), where the throne of God resides (Psalm 11:4 & 103:19; Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:34 & 23:22; Acts 7:49; Revelation 4:2). The heavens in which the Lord resides God creates, as well as the earth, his footstool, and everything in both dimensions (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 124:8; Acts 17:24). This especially includes humanity (Psalm 139:13), who are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27, 5:1, 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9). Since the Lord created everything out of nothing willingly with a plan and a purpose, especially human beings, humans are very special to God (Psalm 139:1-4; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 10:30; John 14:2&3), and more importantly, God loves people very much (Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:8,10,18). Halos are circles, and circles go infinitely around, and someone could argue circles have an infinite amount of sides. Thus, the circle of the halo recalls God's infinite attributes. Specifically, 4 of these infinite attributes should come to mind. First, the Lord is omnipresent, at all places at all times (Psalm 139:7-10; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 23:24). Second, God is omniscient, or all-knowing, infinite in his knowledge, wisdom and understanding (Psalm 145:7; Isaiah 40:28). Third, the Lord is omnipotent, all-powerful to do all things (Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37). Fourth, God is omnibenevolent: all good, all righteous, all just and all holy (Leviticus 19:2l Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). Of the 4 "omnis," that last one might be the most important, as his holiness and our sin prevents having a relationship, which in turn mandates the necessity of Jesus Christ.
The middle third of the flag's ground is a solid green rectangle. Green here represents Christian growth. Just as the green chlorophyll helps make plants grow, the green symbolizes growth in the faith. The Bible does indeed command Christians to grow (2 Peter 3:8). This command should be mistaken, however, for Christian growth is not the cause of salvation (Ephesians 2:8&9), but rather, growth in the faith is an effect of salvation (Ephesians 2:10). In her book Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun lists over 50 spiritual disciples that can contribute to Christian growth! If 50 feels too overwhelming, a top 5 stick out as important (in no particular order): reading and obeying the Bible (Psalm 119:9; 1 Peter 2:2; James 1:22), prayer (Jeremiah 33:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17), evangelizing (Isaiah 41:10; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:5), confessing sin (1 John 1:9) and fellowshipping in worship (Hebrews 10:25). The solid green rectangle in the middle of the dark black rectangle and the clean white rectangle is also fitting because it reminds all Christians that they do not instantly go from sinful to perfect, but rather, they need to allow the Holy Spirit to grow them into less like the sinful self and more like the godly, Christ-like self, in order to reach perfection in the New Heaven and New Earth.
In closing, I would like to cover what some Christians may consider omissions, or elements I have left out of my flag. Some Christians add blue to the Wordless Book/Gospel Colors to represent baptism. Indeed, the New Testament does command baptism dozens of times. Remember, though, I am attempting to create a flag under which many Christians could unite, regardless of church or denomination. With baptism being divisive on so many facets, from mode of baptism (dunking, pouring, sprinkling, etc.) to necessity of baptism, for unity's sake, it just seem wise to omit blue for baptism. Other Christians include purple to the Wordless Book/Gospel Colors to symbolize the return of Jesus to establish the eternal kingdom of God, with himself as king. After all, in ancient times, kings wore purple to display their royalty. As a progressive dispensational premillennialist, I definitely do believe in this doctrine. I did even consider adding a purple crown to the red cross to symbolically represent this doctrine. On second thought, however, I did reconsider. Again, I am trying to make a flag under which several Christians could unite, regardless of church or denomination. While I ultimately disagree with amillennialism and postmillennialism (and even some other form of premillennialism), I do not believe eschatology theology is a "first degree" Christian belief necessary for salvation. Amillennial and postmillennial Christians are still my brothers and sisters in Christ, who I will see in heaven one day, and I will love them as such. I will not allow that disagreement to cause Christians to not unite under my Christian flag. Besides, sometimes eschatology causes Christians to think too much about the future instead of focusing on acting like Christ here and now in the present. My Christian flag will not promote that. And yes, I do know that Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Sudan all have flags that contain these colors, but last time a checked, these nations neither call themselves a Christian nation nor do they have a Christian population that claim their country is the New Israel or God's new chosen nation. Of course, anybody, Christian or not, can agree or disagree with my flag, or can like or dislike my flag. Feel free to drop those opinions in the comments!
