Cross and flame
The cross and flame is a style of the Christian cross that is used by certain Christian denominations, especially those of the Methodist tradition.[1]
While the cross evokes the sacrifice of Jesus for mankind, the flame represents the Holy Spirit. In particular, the flame references Pentecost, when Christians "were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw 'tongues, as of fire' (Acts 2:3)."[2] The Holy Spirit plays a prominent role in the Methodist tradition, being the focus in distinctive doctrines such as assurance of faith (which is also known as "Witness of the Holy Spirit"), as well as entire sanctification (which is also known as "Baptism of the Holy Spirit").[3] John Wesley experienced assurance on Aldersgate Day when he said that his heart was "strangely warmed"; the flame in various Methodist logos additionally symbolizes this.[2]
A cross and flame have featured in the logos of many Methodist denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, Free Methodist Church, Congregational Methodist Church, Bethel Methodist Church, Evangelical Methodist Church, and Holiness Methodist Church among others.[1][4][5]
History and usage[edit]
United Methodist Church[edit]
In the United Methodist Church, a cross and flame logo was adopted shortly after the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church; the symbol relates the United Methodist church to God through Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame). The flame is a reminder of Pentecost when witnesses were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw "tongues, as of fire" (Acts 2:3). The two tongues of a single flame may also be understood to represent the union of two denominations. The two separate flames represent the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church coming together to form the United Methodist Church.[6]
The United Methodist logo was registered as a trademark in 1971.[7]
In September 2020, the North Texas Annual Conference voted 558-176 at its annual meeting to send legislation to the 2021 General Conference, the denomination's global decision-making body, to begin the process for changing the logo due to its association with the racist imagery of a burning cross.[8]
Free Methodist Church[edit]
In the Free Methodist Church, the cross and flame logo is used to symbolize the "Holy Spirit spreading across the entire world".[4]
Holiness Methodist Church[edit]
The logo of the Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church has a cross and flame, along with a dove.[5]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Vile, John R. (23 January 2024). The Christian Cross in American Public Life: An Encyclopedia. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-5275-7218-8.
- ^ a b Penning, Sally (2 June 2017). "Burning and Yearning: The Pentecost Through the Cross and Flame". St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Campbell, Ted A. (17 September 2019). Deeper Christian Faith, Revised Edition: A Re-Sounding. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-5326-5752-8.
- ^ a b "Our Heritage". Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
The Free Methodist Church's Logo includes the cross and a flame (representing the Holy Spirit) spreading across the entire world.
- ^ a b "Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church". United States Patent and Trademark Office. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "A Mark Known the World Over - The United Methodist Church". The United Methodist Church. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
- ^ "Cross and Flame - The United Methodist Church". The United Methodist Church. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
- ^ "Texas United Methodists take up call to replace denomination's logo over association with racist imagery". Religion News Service. 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
External links[edit]
- The Cross and Flame: A Personal Memoir at GCFA
- Death of Creator of UM Cross and Flame Logo at The Church on the Cape
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