基督教旗幟

基督教旗幟是20世紀初期設計的普世教會合一運動旗幟，代表所有的基督教及基督教世界。自1942年教會聯合理事會（英语：Federal Council of Churches）採用這面旗幟開始，許多傳統基督教教派已經開始使用基督教旗幟，包括聖公會、浸信會、信義會、門諾會、循道宗、摩拉維亞弟兄會、長老宗、貴格會、歸正宗等教派。非洲和美洲是使用基督教旗幟較多的地區。 旗幟的設計是白底，左上方有藍色方塊，中有一紅色拉丁十字。十字架的紅色陰影象徵耶穌在各各他流下的寶血。藍色象徵洗禮之水和對耶穌信仰的忠誠。白色象徵耶穌的純潔。 基督教旗幟最初於1897年9月26日構想在美國紐約市布魯克林區康尼島的布萊頓禮拜堂。由於原本預定的演講者未能出席活動，查爾斯·C·歐弗頓在這一天的主日學上進行了即興演講，並詢問聽眾一面代表基督教的旗幟應是什麼樣子。1907年，歐弗頓和循道宗青年人們傳教運動秘書拉爾夫·尤金·迪芬道夫（英语：Ralph Eugene Diffendorfer）設計並開始宣傳基督教旗幟，並視基督教旗幟為基督教象徵： 底色是白色，代表和平、純潔和純真。上方有一藍色方形，象徵天堂—基督徒的家；也是信仰和信任的象徵。藍色中心是十字架，是基督教的象徵。十字架使用紅色，象徵基督的寶血 普世教會合一運動機構教會聯合理事會（英语：Federal Council of Churches）（現由國家教會協會（英语：National Council of Churches）和基督教教堂團結（英语：Christian Churches Together）繼承）在1942年1月23日啟用了這面旗幟。教會聯合理事會代表浸信會、弟兄會、東正教、聖公會、循道宗、摩拉維亞弟兄會、信義宗、東方正統教會、波蘭國家天主教會（英语：Polish National Catholic）、長老宗、貴格會、歸正宗等傳統教派。因設計者將這面旗幟獻給全基督教世界，因此基督教旗幟並未申請版權。芬尼·克羅斯貝寫過一首名為「Christian Flag」的讚美詩，並由R·亨廷頓·伍德曼譜曲。和旗幟相同，這首讚美詩同樣可自由使用。1997年9月26日，基督教旗幟迎來其百年誕辰。 美國的主流新教最先接受了基督教旗幟。1980年代，許多機構都制定了在教堂內展示基督教旗幟的政策。教會聯合理事會建議，在基督教旗幟和國旗同時使用時，基督教旗幟應有榮譽地位。在第二次世界大戰期間，許多有德裔美國人背景的信義宗教堂展示基督教旗幟和美國國旗，展示對抗納粹德國的意志。 伴隨著基督教傳教士的活動，基督教旗幟也傳播到北美洲以外的地區。象徵在許多基督教教堂都能看到基督教旗幟，特別是拉丁美洲和非洲。歐洲、亞洲和非洲的一些新教教堂也採用了基督教旗幟。 基督教旗幟並無版權，因此「任何人都可以生產，並且在正確場合使用基督教旗幟」。 在加拿大和美國，政教分離主義者及其反對者針對政府建築使用基督教旗幟一事展開激烈爭論。 類似於美國國旗的效忠宣誓，一些教堂和機構對基督教旗幟亦有效忠宣誓。最初的基督教旗幟誓詞作者是循道宗牧師林恩·哈羅德·霍夫（英语：Lynn H. Hough）。他曾在一次集會中聽過拉爾夫·迪芬道夫對基督教旗幟的宣傳。 國際佛教旗 Resolution. Federal Council Bulletin (Religious Publicity Service of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America). 1942, 25–27.  Kurian, George Thomas; Lamport, Mark A. Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 2016-11-10: 1359. ISBN 9781442244320 （英语）. In Protestant churches, the national flag was frequently displayed along with the “Christian Flag” (white field, red Latin cross on a blue canton), which had been created and popularized in American Methodist circles and adopted by the Federal Council of Churches in 1942. Often the staff would feature an eagle final and a cross final, respectively.  Kelland, Ariana; Howells, Laura. Controversial Christian flag removed as provincial, national flags flown at half-mast. CBC News. March 23, 2016 [2020-01-02]. （原始内容存档于2020-09-30）.  Grose, Howard Benjamin. Missions: American Baptist International Magazine. American Baptist Convention. 1917: 49 （英语）. Side by side in many of our churches hangs the Christian Flag with the Stars and Stripes—the Flag of White— which forever has stood for peace, having in the corner on the field of blue, the color of sincerity, faith and truth, the red Cross symbolic of Calvary.  Logan, Devin. Christian Flag: Which Denominations Say Its Pledge. Newsmax. 2015-05-01 [2017-07-08]. （原始内容存档于2019-03-28） （英语）.  Lind, Hope Kauffman. Apart & Together: Mennonites in Oregon and Neighboring States, 1876-1976. Herald Press. 1990-01-01: 277. ISBN 9780836131062 （英语）. Most congregations of Russian Mennonite heritage displayed both the national and the Christian flag in the church sanctuary.  Trewhitt, Katharine L. History of Broad Street United Methodist Church, Cleveland, Tennessee, 1836-1984: The Story of Methodism in Bradley County and of the Group which Became Broad Street United Methodist Church. The Church. 1984: 129 [2017-07-08] （英语）. In 1968 the Methodist Men of Broad Street purchased flags to be used in the sanctuary of the Church. This involved one United States flag, one Christian flag, flag poles, stands, one eagle and one cross.  Moravian Movement. 2014-12-08 [2017-07-08]. （原始内容存档于2018-06-12） （英语）. The Moravians created a seal. The seal has a picture of a sheep holding a cross with the Christian flag attached. It says, “Our lamb has conquered. Let us Follow Him.” This symbolizes Jesus conquering sin, and the Moravian’s commitment to follow Him.  Roberts, Arthur O. Tomorrow Is Growing Old: Stories of the Quakers in Alaska. Barclay Press. 1978: 446 [2017-07-08]. ISBN 9780913342220 （英语）.  Schuppert, Mildred W. A Digest and Index of the Minutes of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, 1906-1957. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. 1982: 105. ISBN 9780802819437 （英语）.  Fifty-Eighth Annual Session. Order of the Eastern Star. 1932. Today the Christian Flag is flying over Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as America.  The Christian Flag. Bob Jones University. [2007-10-18]. （原始内容存档于2005-09-05）. The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red, of course, is the color of sacrifice, in this case calling to mind the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, represented by the cross.  The American Lutheran 22–24. American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. 1939 [2018-02-01]. （原始内容存档于2017-02-15）.  A Theological Miscellany. Thomas Nelson. 2005-03-24 [2018-02-01]. ISBN 9781418552817. （原始内容存档于2017-02-15）. The flag is white (for purity and peace), with a blue field (faithfulness, truth, and sincerity) and a red cross (the sacrifice of Christ).  Christian Flag. The Christian Advocate (New York: T. Carlton & J. Porter). 1909-01-07, 84. Within recent years (1897) a flag has been designed which shall stand as an emblem; (Jesse L. Jones-McKay) which all Christian nations and various denominations may rally in allegiance and devotion. This banner is called the Christian flag. It was originated by Charles C. Overton of Brooklyn, N.Y., whose first thought of it came to him while addressing a Sunday school at a rally day service. The flag is most symbolic. The ground is white, representing peace, purity and innocence. In the upper corner is a blue square, the color of the unclouded sky, emblematic of heave, the home of the Christian; also a symbol of faith and trust. in the center of the blue is the cross, the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity: the cross is red, typical of Christ's blood. The use of the national flag in Christian churches has become almost universal throughout the world.  Coffman, Elesha. Do you know the history of the Christian flag?. Christianity Today. [2014-04-24]. （原始内容存档于2016-01-29）.  FitzGerald, Thomas E. The Ecumenical Movement: An Introductory History. Greenwood Publishing Group. 2004: 245. ISBN 9780313306068 （英语）.  Ahlstrom, Sydney E. A Religious History of the American People. Yale University Press. 2004: 985. ISBN 9780300100129 （英语）.  Convention of Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America Opposes Discrimination. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1948-12-06 [2021-03-12]. （原始内容存档于2020-07-28） （英语）. A statement calling on the churches of this country to press for extension of full social, political and economic rights to every citizen without discrimination as to race, color, creed or sex was adopted here this week-end at the three-day biennial convention of Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. The Council represents 27 Protestant and Eastern Orthodox church bodies in the U.S.  Christian Flag. The Christian Advocate (New York: T. Carlton & J. Porter). 1909-01-07, 84. Mr. Overton has dedicated his flag to the Christian world, refusing to copyright or patent it. It stands for no creed or denomination, but for Christianity. Every sect of Christ's followers can indorse this flag and it is equally appropriate for all nations. The hymn written by Fanny Crosby is also dedicated to the free use and followers of Christ the world over.  The Quiver. Cassell Limited. 1900: 380 [2014-05-04]. （原始内容存档于2020-09-21）. Miss Fanny J. Crosby, the veteran American hymn writer, has dedicated a hymn, called “The Christian Flag,” to the movement, the first verse of which is :— “ The Christian Flag!  Pollock, James R. Congratulations to The Christian Flag Fourth. 1996-03-23.  Presbyterian Mission Agency Signs and symbols. Presbyterian Church (USA). [2018-01-09]. （原始内容存档于2018-11-03） （英语）. If a national flag is used alongside a symbol of God’s realm (such as the popularly accepted “Christian flag,” found mostly in U.S. congregations), the Christian flag is appropriately given a preeminent place.  The Christian Century, Volume 59. Christian Century Company. 1942: 165 （英语）.  Grose, Howard Benjamin. Missions: American Baptist International Magazine, Volume 8. American Baptist Convention. 1917: 497 （英语）.  Diffendorfer, Ralph Eugene. Missionary Education in Home and School. Abingdon Press. 1917: 184 （英语）. The Christian flag is not patented, and is free from commercialism. Anyone may manufacture it, and it may be used on all proper occasions. Christian flags may be displayed at conventions, conferences, church demonstrations, and parades, and with the American flag may be used for general decorative purposes. For boys' and girls' societies and clubs and for the church school, especially on program occasions, the two flags may be presented and saluted.  Brown, Drew. Newfoundland's Government Flies a 'Christian Flag,' Low-Key Holy War Follows. Vice. 2016-03-25 [2018-01-09]. （原始内容存档于2019-04-16） （英语）.  McCrummen, Stephanie. Taking up the Christian banner. The Washington Post. 2017-12-22 [2018-01-09]. （原始内容存档于2019-04-18） （英语）.  Elesha Coffman, Do You Know the History of the Christian Flag?, Christianity Today, 2001-07-13 [2021-03-12], （原始内容存档于2016-01-29） 。 Balmer, Randall. Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism rev. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press. 2002: 163. ISBN 978-1-932792-04-1.  Land, Richard. The Divided States of America? What Liberals and Conservatives Get Wrong About Faith and Politics rev. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson. 2011: 41. ISBN 978-1-59555-352-2.  Marvin, Carolyn; Ingle, David W. Blood Sacrifice and the Nation: Revisiting Civil Religion. Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 1996, 64 (4): 767–780 [2021-03-12]. ISSN 1477-4585. JSTOR 1465621. doi:10.1093/jaarel/LXIV.4.767. （原始内容存档于2020-11-04）.  Coffman, Elesha, Christian History & Biography, Christianity Today, 13 July 2001 [2018-02-01], （原始内容存档于2008-09-12）  History & Symbolism of the Christian Flag, Society of the Christian Flag, [2018-02-01], （原始内容存档于2014-05-05）  The Christian Flag Hymn, The Christian Flag, Cyber Hymnal, [2014-05-04], （原始内容存档于2014-03-28）  Sidwell, Mark, The Christian Flag, Fundamentalism File Research Report, BJU, 1998-12-18 [2018-02-01], （原始内容存档于2005-09-05）  Christian Flag, Flags of the World, [2018-02-01], （原始内容存档于2017-06-25）