BYX: Understanding the Brothers Under Christ
Hart Hagerty
Issue date: 11/30/05 Section: editor's picks
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Versus Magazine Online [Image Edition]
The vast misunderstanding of Brothers Under Christ has given birth to a feeling of disconnectedness from the community. Beta Upsilon Chi, Brothers Under Christ, or more commonly referred to as BYX, is a national Christian fraternity. In the fall of 2003 Vanderbilt started its own chapter, which this year includes 45 undergraduate males committed to worshiping God together, encouraging each other through fellowship and accountability and empowering one another to go out into the world to edify Jesus Christ. While BYX exists for the purpose of "establishing brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ," many outsiders misinterpret their mission.
In order to better understand what BYX is all about, it is convenient to look at three qualifications of a BYX brother. Current BYX President Benjamin Schellack answered the question whether an Atheist or homosexual could join BYX by reciting the prerequisites for becoming a BYX brother, which requires that "He must be male, an undergraduate student, and be seeking to deepen his relationship with Jesus Christ." While Schellack said currently there are no gay or Atheists members in Vanderbilt's Christian fraternity, he insists BYX is a lot more heterogeneous than most onlookers believe.
"We are not just a bunch of Bible beaters and snooty guys who don't drink," Schellack said. Some guys may hum gospels whereas others, Schellack said, "don't like Christian music and don't feel bad about that." Some may attend church more than most guys change their socks, and others may only go on Sundays. Whatever their differences, BYX brothers "all support each other by trying to make their lives better through Christ," Schellack said.
Do not let their WWJD bracelets fool you, though! BYX brothers do not think it is their duty to make the less-than-pious feel guilty as they curl up in their beds with nasty hangovers when they should be in church. Schellack said a common stereotype is that "BYX guys think they are better than everyone else because they don't party like a lot of other Vanderbilt students."
The vast misunderstanding of Brothers Under Christ has given birth to a feeling of disconnectedness from the community. Beta Upsilon Chi, Brothers Under Christ, or more commonly referred to as BYX, is a national Christian fraternity. In the fall of 2003 Vanderbilt started its own chapter, which this year includes 45 undergraduate males committed to worshiping God together, encouraging each other through fellowship and accountability and empowering one another to go out into the world to edify Jesus Christ. While BYX exists for the purpose of "establishing brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ," many outsiders misinterpret their mission.
In order to better understand what BYX is all about, it is convenient to look at three qualifications of a BYX brother. Current BYX President Benjamin Schellack answered the question whether an Atheist or homosexual could join BYX by reciting the prerequisites for becoming a BYX brother, which requires that "He must be male, an undergraduate student, and be seeking to deepen his relationship with Jesus Christ." While Schellack said currently there are no gay or Atheists members in Vanderbilt's Christian fraternity, he insists BYX is a lot more heterogeneous than most onlookers believe.
"We are not just a bunch of Bible beaters and snooty guys who don't drink," Schellack said. Some guys may hum gospels whereas others, Schellack said, "don't like Christian music and don't feel bad about that." Some may attend church more than most guys change their socks, and others may only go on Sundays. Whatever their differences, BYX brothers "all support each other by trying to make their lives better through Christ," Schellack said.
Do not let their WWJD bracelets fool you, though! BYX brothers do not think it is their duty to make the less-than-pious feel guilty as they curl up in their beds with nasty hangovers when they should be in church. Schellack said a common stereotype is that "BYX guys think they are better than everyone else because they don't party like a lot of other Vanderbilt students."