Discussing
Costuming in Christ

The world of cosplay can be an example of the creation-affirming community the Bible calls us to be.

This response may sound unsympathetic to the central priestly function of the church but, frankly, I’m weary of Calvin’s view of human nature in general, and of the believer in particular, dominating social media and the church’s attempt to grow into our God-given, Christ-like character.

I recently read a Christian author who asked, “Are God’s people, the church, intended to be a cruise ship [or, in this case, a recovery group]? Or is the church intended to be a battleship, an aircraft carrier in particular?”

The author goes on to say, on a cruise ship [ or, in a recovery group], everyone is intended to lounge around and have a good time [or, navel gaze].

On the other hand, the author continues, on an aircraft carrier people are there to accomplish a mission [This, of course, does not exclude people in the church from having a good time while on mission, or from taking time of to visit sick bay and heal.] People are trained and skilled at specific jobs. There is mission and accountability. And the “aircraft carrier,” the church, exists to send out people continuously to accomplish a specific mission—to proclaim the good news in word and in deed. The church at its best is neither a “hospital” or a “recovery group” but a new humanity on mission to reflect God’s generous live into the world and to reflect back to God the already-not yet kingdom of God.