The New, New Testament, Part 2: We Are One Body
Poor art skills are not the only thing keeping people from living as true disciples of Jesus Christ. To truly “do life” with intentional believers, one must make real sacrifices.
A Bible study meets every Wednesday night in Vincent Askelson’s home. The young men ride to his house on Mopeds, take off their Patagonia backpacks, set aside their sticker-covered Nalgenes, remove their Chacos, and spend time talking intentionally about scripture. This week, Askelson asks the group to discuss a passage from Matthew 19, in which Jesus tells a rich young man to sell all that he has.
Aaron Held, a new member, speaks to the group. “We need to give everything away—like, in our hearts. We need to sell all that we have—symbolically, of course—and not be attached to any of our possessions or jealous of the possessions that others have.” The group nods, a few sigh with heartfelt hmm’s, and everyone rides home on their mopeds.
This is a scene familiar to anyone within The Bubble. Many Christians, inspired by St. Paul’s writings about the church as one body, have adopted a more literal interpretation of the teaching, aspiring to show their oneness through a monotone of Comfort Colors, brand-name exploring gear, and identical tastes in music.
Held, a freshman, came to Texas A&M with no idea how to set up an Eno, why anyone would ever grow a dirty ‘stache, or who Ben Rector was. Upon first meeting his Church of Unity small group, Held quickly learned that being part of the body would cost him.
“No one ever told me I had to look like them,” said Held. “But, come on—if you really want be united to the body of Christ, you’ve got to walk the walk in Birkenstocks.” Held stated that he would never regret the sacrifices it takes to follow Christ. “I will gladly lay down my money, my smooth face, my preference for indoor activities, and my individuality if it means I get to purchase the clothing, grow the facial hair, participate in the hobbies, and ultimately become the person that Jesus wants.”
—Corpus Escort
This is Part 2. To read The New, New Testament, Part 1: Watercolor to Wine: click here.
He’s got the bro tanks, he’s got the neon snapback, and yeah, he’s riding his longboard by you in the dismount zone. Corpus Escort spent his entire freshman year thinking he was at A&M Corpus Christi, but somehow still made good enough grades there to transfer to College Station, where he remained living at Z Islander and throwing the raddest pool parties in town. Sometimes he writes, but mostly he just brings the brownies.