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#358. Color coding salvation.

Jul 22nd by Jon

One of my favorite things to do is to apply current Christian practices to Biblical times. For some reason, the idea of John the Baptist side hugging people or Jesus teaching Simon the “Hammer of God” Frisbee throw is funny to me.

I do that all the time and I recently wondered if the disciples or other Biblical figures ever used the color coded salvation plan? I included this tube of candy as an example. Different people use different colors and meanings, with some including a blue Holy Spirit, but the basic gist is a color guided walk through from sin to heaven.

I started to think though, did Paul use salvation bracelets? I mean, I know he was really good at what he did, but is it possible that during his tent making days he learned how to make little leather bracelets? Was Timothy in charge of bead acquisition? Was Paul ever in a dark corner of a prison cell quietly singing to himself as he strung beads, “making my bracelets, making my bracelets, making my bracelets for Jesus.”

I am cool with bracelets and candy tubes and anything else that makes it easy to tell someone interested in the gospel. I once teased the evangecube and was promptly reminded by readers that products like that make witnessing across language barriers much easier. So despite teasing them earlier, I have come to see the importance of witnessing tools. But if we really believe in the power of color coding, why haven’t we done it in other areas of our faith?

Why is there not a color code for certain authors or certain types of churches? Why can’t you instantly tell more about someone at church from the series of color coded stickers they have on their Bible? Why haven’t we taken all those crazy colors Crayons have and made a new guide? Surely I can’t be the first person to do this.

The SCL Color Code Guide to Christian Culture
(Each is a real Crayola color)

Bear Hug
If you see this round sticker on a Bible, this person accepts full hugs as well as side hugs.

Goldenrod
A color used to denote a hardcore fan of prosperity ministry.

Vivid Tangerine
Used exclusively to indicate a metrosexual worship leader.

Macaroni and Cheese
This actual color indicates a serious supporter of pot luck dinners. More than likely this person owns several crock pots.

Flesh
Although renamed to “peach” in 1962, this color stands for Joel Osteen. Why? Because the show 60 minutes said he can bench press 300lbs and the color “muscle” was not available. I doubt he can do this. In part because anyone that is as massively muscular as me knows that 315lbs represents three 45 pound weight plates on each side of the bar, which is a goal for many. Rarely does someone call it quits at 300. I am challenging Osteen to a bench press contest. Other writers can argue his theology.

Laser Lemon
The person sporting this color still listens to Stryper.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Brown
This is the color most commonly found in Thomas Kinkade paintings, save for the “light” he adds when the painting is done. Think thatch roof, small cottage, deer frolicking, etc.

Hot Magenta
A color generated when you “love on” someone.

Cerulean
A bluish color generated when you “pour into” someone.

Jazzberry Jam
The color of the message I’ll give if you ever let me come to your church and talk about Christians and sex.

I love this game. If I ever publish a book, this is the kind of thing I will put in the back. Seriously, I could go all day, but it would be even cooler if you played. If you want to, visit this Wikipedia page with all the colors listed. Then post a comment with as many color descriptions as you come up with. Hooray for Tuesday.

p.s. The “Called Out Ones” Dancing Preachers International Conference is in Atlanta this year. I am dead serious when I say that if I ever publish a book and become a Christian thousandaire and have headshots and am important and all such things, I will ask that conference to sponsor me so that I can go, write a ton of posts from it, give them loads of publicity and take Gospel Hip Hop dance lessons.

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Comments

Kate Aug 8, 2008

You know what, I imagined that exact color (jazzberry jam) when you mentioned that subject! That is awesome!

I personally think it would be the coolest thing if you came to my church and talked about sex. I’d also love it if you talked about modesty, as that is a serious problem as well.

Hm… what would the color of a speech on modesty be?

I think it would be either razzmatazz or tickle me pink… depending on what level of modesty it is. conservative or amish. :-P

Anonymous Aug 8, 2008

Denim- the primary color of homeschool mothers and their female offspring

Kimberly Ann Doremus Apr 17, 2010

Antique Brass– plays in the orchestra during the traditional service
Asparagus– 1: Didn't you minor in aerospace technology at the Happy Tots Preschool? 2: Why, yes! Yes, I did! 3: What'd you major in? 1: That's not important now. 2: Play-Doh. 3: Me too!
Blush–the color of a speech on modesty
Carnation pink– the color all mothers wear on Mother's Day so that the usher knows to give them a carnation
Gold– the color of prosperity ministry
Granny Smith Apple– the cranky older ladies who glare at you like you're going to hell if you clap or raise your hands to worship music or wear jeans on a Sunday morning
Gray– the color you wear while watching Family Guy (I tend to wear it more while watching Gilmore Girls and The Office).
Indigo– that emo kid in youth group
Lavender– the sweet older ladies who are just so excited to see you in church no matter what you wear

Kimberly Ann Doremus Apr 17, 2010

Mauvelous– metrosexual male or televangelist female worship leader
Outrageous Orange– the guy or gal without a filter between their brain and their mouth
Pine Green– summer camp or retreats
Robin Egg Blue– the VBS/Sunday School/Children's Church teacher that brings in birds' nests and stuff from their yards to show the kids
Scarlet– the hooker with the heart of gold (oh wait, Pretty Woman isn't a Christian yet?)
Shamrock– the official color of the Trinity, according to St. Patrick, duh!
Shocking Pink– the color the girls in the youth group threaten to make when told not to make purple
Sunglow– new baby Christians or newly rededicated Christians who are really excited about Jesus
Tickle Me Pink– the ladies who tickle and pinch cheeks when they see a cute kid
Tropical Rain Forest– foreign missions
Malachite–for the book of Malachi (possibly to be shared w/ other minor prophets…they are minor anyway, so they don't need individual colors)
Onyx– My heart was onyx with sin until my Savior came in…much more PC

Kimberly Ann Doremus Apr 17, 2010

Tiger's Eye– the athletic one, esp. when it comes to God's Favorite Sport
Stonewashed– the guy who did drugs until Jesus saved him, Hallelujah
Warm and Fuzzy– side hugs
White with confetti glitter– use to color rainbows when teaching Noah's ark—saves on the number of crayons you need
Winter Wizard– the guy with the magic key to the air conditioning who freezes your holy little butt off!
Carribean Current– the mission trips that end up being more like vacations