Posted on 11/13/2013 5:43:01 PM PST by Faith Presses On
The Bible clearly says that women should dress modestly. Why does much of the church in America not follow what the Bible says? (And I'm a woman myself, I should add). It's not so much new believers who dress immodestly who are a concern, but women in leadership.
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Women in Leadership = non-Scriptural anyway so why the hub-bub over immodest dress?
I saw a picture a few years ago of the First Baptist Church in some city in Romania. It was a large church. I noticed every woman over maybe 12 had some kind of hat or covering on her head.
I immediately remembered where Paul said that women should have their heads covered in church. I guess even the conservative Southern Baptists don’t keep that requirement.
Didn’t Paul also say that a woman’s hair, if left to grow and not plaited, can serve as a veil in church?
One thing though, I would also add -- In the past, a certain amount of cleavage or tightness of clothing was a sure signal of an "easy" female. These days, immodest fashions are so ubiquitous, that its not an accurate measure of whether a woman is a lady or the other kind. Plenty of good, chaste ladies dress immodestly without intending to at all -- they've simply been desensitized/were never educated about modesty of dress.
You might be right although I don’t remember that.
I agree completely.
We learn in Genesis that clothing was intended to conceal, not to reveal.
But I assure you. You are fighting a losing battle. This section of the Word of God does not even prevail in my own house. No matter how much I’ve tried to teach modest apparel, my daughters are always pushing the boundaries to see how much they can get away with. And they’re home schooled.
Ever notice on Sundays in the church? Men wearing full buttoned shirts, often with neckties, sport or suit coats, sweaters, loose fitting trousers, etc.
But the women are wearing short sleeves, or sleeveless blouses, tight pants or short skirts, plunging necklines, etc. I don’t think this is appropriate attire for church meetings or reverent worship.
But it is definitely a losing fight. Try to mention any of this, and you’ll be accused of having a dirty mind.
> Didn’t Paul also say that a woman’s hair, if left to grow
> and not plaited, can serve as a veil in church?
Read the passage again. If the hair were meant to be the covering of the head, then men would have to shave their heads to pray, because it is a shame for them to pray with their heads covered, as it is a shame for women to pray with their heads uncovered.
People actually used to know what this meant a few generations ago. Even the Catholic Church required women to have their heads covered as recently as 1959. Problem was, they weren’t covering their heads with Godly coverings, but with ridiculous caricatures of men’s hats.
Who defines what is modest?
Making girls wear burkas?
Making girls playing basketball wear knee length skortz?
My favorite was when I found myself unwittingly invited to a picnic with a group of Bill Gothard Institute types. The girls all wore long jean skirts. Then they got on the monkey bars and twirled upside down. Well at least they were in uniform but Oh. My.
So what is considered modest? Who decides? What century decides?
Is modesty defined by making sure everybody looks like a separatist freak? Amish women dress modestly. Is that wear it needs to be?
Does modesty mean all heads are to be covered? The problem is that this was written 2000 years ago with a diffrent set of societal norms and expectations. These expectations vary from one part of the country to another, and from one country to another yet many wish to impose provincial expectations on others that will seem silly with the passage of time. These sorts of discussions/distractions invariably promote self righteous attitudes and groups that are “in” and groups that are “out”. My advice is to relax, until women start wearing stripper gear.
Perhaps instead, Christians should quit worrying about how short a skirt is, or if (gasp) a bit of cleavage shows through and instead worship God together in peace.
Boy, does this message need to get out.
It’s unbelievable how I’ve seen women dress in church. They look like hookers or that they’re going out for a night on the town.
Dressing attractively is one thing. Dressing enticingly is another.
If we didn't have dirty minds, we wouldn't need salvation. It's yours. Own it.
/johnny
I agree with the spirit of your argument regarding changes in norms and expectations. But the problem is, modern female fashion is quite often designed to sexualize the wearer.
ridiculous describes so much of what i see in what many women wear to church on Sundays... flip-flops, tank shirts, capris, yoga pants, hoodies, yuck... any one of these things might work, but two and three of these pieces together? no bueno... mis dos centavos...
Frankly, I think this topic is best suited for a small group Bible study or a one-on-one situation with an older (in Christ, if not age) believer instructing a younger believer.
I am an older woman believer.
Ok so how are you going to shut it down without it becoming a competition to see who can dress in the most austere manner? Who can demonstrate “holiness” the mostess through dressing like a puritan housewife?
I remember that. It is a few verses following the instruction to keep our heads covered.
/johnny
A burka is overboard. Dressing like an Amish is overboard too.
Going to Church in a miniskirt is most likely not a good idea. Strolling the seaside in a fio dental (as much as I wish it were acceptable!) is not modest.
Like I said, common sense.
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