Inward purity & outward dress -- Does it matter how we dress for worship?

The Prayer Book Society of the USA ^ | September 2, 2003 | The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon

[hiho hiho]

Inward purity & outward dress

Does it matter how we dress for worship?

Not too long ago, it was commonly held within all Christian denominations, from Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Baptist, that anyone going to a church service on Sunday should put on his best clothing (or at least his good clothing) for he was meeting not a human king or a human president, but the King of the kings and the Lord of the lords and the President of the presidents, even the Lord God, the Blessed Trinity. And "best" or "good" dress was defined in cultural terms as what was appropriate when meeting someone of great importance.

So one did not go to church on the Lord's Day in one's work clothing or in one's leisure attire. Along with this dress code, the basic affection of the soul that was seen as appropriate in entering the house of the Lord was "the fear of the Lord" (a sense of reverence and awe and sinfulness before the Infinite and Eternal, Holy God), for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

Today, semi-casual or even casual clothing are the norm in many denominations from Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Baptist, and "the fear of the Lord" has generally been replaced by "wanting a relationship with the Lord and [perhaps] with all [or some of those] who gather" (thus the spread of "the passing of the peace" or "the greeting" in the services of virtually all American denominations since the 1970s).

One can challenge this description claiming that the difference between 1950 and 2000 is not so marked. Yet any churchgoer who is 60 or more will be able to verify it, at least in general terms from personal observation.

But why this change in dress code and general attitude? One can offer all kinds of answers related to changing social and cultural mores, changing liturgical fashions, changing doctrinal teaching and a felt, greater sense of personal freedom and autonomy. But what seems to make sense, because we are beings with soul and body, is that there is a vital connection with what is believed, taught and confessed and how one dresses for worship and how one perceives and describes worship.

The move from dressing in one's best clothing to dressing in one's leisure or semi-formal clothing seems to be an outward and visible change of an inward disposition or attitude. Apparently the general perception of God, his nature, character & attributes, has changed and so has the sense of the place of a human being before him. Today we seem to think that we can easily enter the presence of God for he is the Friendly One who welcomes us just as we are. He is always ready to have "a relationship" with us. Yesterday, we apparently thought that to seek to enter the presence of God was an awesome calling, requiring reverence and penitence and that if He did establish a relation with us it was one of sovereign mercy.

The Lord's Day is not merely special, it is unique, for it is the weekly festival of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Perhaps we should dress in an appropriate manner to celebrate the uniqueness of the Saviour and the Day!

The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon.)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

You need a daughter that is going thru beauty school:).

Jenny has done all that to all of us practicing. Me, her husband, her brother, her sister in law. Every one but Mack anyway:).

When she took the test for her state license I was her model. She had to do finger waves, pin curls rollers. I had to go to OK City and walk into a goverment building all this stuff in my hair. Then when the test started they take all that out and rat your hair, do a comb out that looks like Queen Elizabeth's hair do. It was awful. Since my hair does not hold curl that well, I had to have a perm before the test day. I'm not real into perms. That was only the third time in my life I had had one. Geez, what we do for our kids.

Nudist colonies, may fresh fig leaves:)

Becky

[Gamecock]

My Brother,

We scream, we fuss, sometimes we get annoyed with each other. But what really happens here, IMHO, is that this little corner of FR sharpens our swords so when we leave and go out into the real world we can teach the gospel.

Every day I have to reevaluate, think just a little harder, and recover from a bruising because I thought I knew. There are a lot of very smart, blessed people on this board. I have learned a lot.

Thank you for your significant contribution over the last day!

<><

Sola Deo Gloria!

[CindyDawg]

Could be worse. She could have been going thru nursing school lol

Here's my take on the nudist colony (assuming there even is a church there) You go in , in your jeans so you won't get cold and all these naked ladies are gonna huddle and whisper "well I never". You are never going to please everyone so I just try to please One.

[drstevej]

***Got a serious question. What do you think the dress code is for churches in nudist camps? :')***

My Guess:

[1] No make up
[2] No body jewelry
[3] Beehive hairdos for ladies
[4] No beards for men
[5] KJV Bibles only

[CindyDawg]

your nudist camp very conservative.

[RnMomof7]

Thanks for the info on Calvinism too. Very interesting.

See contrary to what Gamecock and DrSteve posted that was painless :>)))

[RnMomof7]

I said what I did before I learned of what happened with RnMomof7 and before I looked in my Freepmail box

I have read posts from people that have never posted on a religion thread that say they have come to believe some doctrine because of the "debates" here.

I firmly believe that God will use the discussions to make people consider their doctrine.

On the sovereignty of God issue. We would say that doctrinally the "Arminian " position presents man as sovereign over God until they are saved..(and for some that believe in the ability to lose your salvation man is sovereign over God forever )

When I was a Wesleyan I always said that I believed God was totally sovereign , because I did not consider Man choosing to be saved as sovereign over God. But of course it is because it allows man to refuse the grace of God.

[Gamecock]

What about sandals?

[RnMomof7]

I was in Rock Hill a few years back. It is beautiful. Much nicer than CA. What's going on there these days? I remember it was starting to grow about 10 years ago when I was there. A very beautiful, pleasant area to live. I may go back there someday.

It is a fair sized city. When my son moved down there I had this mental picture of a sleepy village. It is not:>)

Of course it maintains the slower life and beautiful customs of the South . When we had my grandsons funeral I was touched by the southern practice to pull over to the side of the road or to stop walking to pay tribute to the deceased . Up here people try to cut into the funeral procession or they are annoyed by the delay.

It is a nice area of the country , nice folks..the "Bible belt":>)

[RnMomof7]

I was a last minute replacement for a state test one time..It was not "fun"

[ninenot]

Well, yeah...BUT

Seems to me that dress and appearance are a matter of respect, as well. Around the home/office I am extraordinarily casual--but if meeting a client or other business-type, I use the coat/tie as a sign of respect for THEM, not for me...

There are the obvious exceptions, either by pre-arrangement or by accident, but...

No question, though, that God wants us to turn to Him (metanoia) and conform to His Son.

[RnMomof7]

There are a lot of very smart, blessed people on this board. I have learned a lot.

Game I never realized there was so much to learn about Church history, bible history , doctrine etc . My knowledge base is 5x times higher now than it was only two years ago. And I am still having to google or ask what something means and how it fits in..You and Lock and Doc and Dark Calvinist and Fumenchue, and Woody and nobody, OP and Steve and many others keep me growing new synapses .

It sometimes amazes me now that I can hold up my end of doctrinal discussions with very educated people (or least know what they are talking about:>)

I also post on another Christian site there is no comparison of the level of biblical and doctrinal understanding . This is a learning /growing place indeed

[Between the Lines]

See contrary to what Gamecock and DrSteve posted that was painless

Totally painless. You have the ability to write in terms I can understand. While most here are well learned in doctrine, I am but a child in Christianity. I appreciate the simplicity.

[lockeliberty]

But at church, where did the suit and tie idea come from? It's decidedly not biblical in origin, but rather cultural. "Sunday best" was not about piety, but rather showing off to the community.

I think you assume too much, my FRiend. For Christianity is certainly cultural. I'm afraid the problem with American Christianity is that is waaaaaaay too individualistic. IMHO, that is why we see so much apostasy. That one would dress in a certain manner as a reflection of a particular christian culture not only may bring to the mind of the individual a certian reverence but it also is a reflection to the pagan world that we belong to the "city of God".

After we escaped the dualism of Catholicism notice how culture took off when we incorporated God into all aspects of our lives as a culture. Is it a coincidence that some of the greatest cultural accomplishments occured during the 17th century? What this country needs is a decidedly christian culture.

[RnMomof7]

Totally painless. You have the ability to write in terms I can understand. While most here are well learned in doctrine, I am but a child in Christianity. I appreciate the simplicity.

Well simple is as simple does:>) Beside having a simple mind, so I figure if I can "get it" most anyone can *grin*

[CobaltBlue]

What about keeping a change of shoes and some kind of dressy jacket or pantsuit in the truck? I realize that putting on a dress is more involved.

If you do hard work and then come to church without taking a bath, maybe you need to freshen up first?

As you say, it's not for God, it's for your fellow man, but gossipers are always with us. I am younger than 60 but would not go to church without dressing up a bit. I have mastered the technique of slipping on long slip, pantyhose and a nice, no-iron polyester dress in seconds. You don't need makeup, minimal jewelry will complete the "look." Nothing fancy, but nothing to gossip about, either.

[drstevej]

***Seems to me that dress and appearance are a matter of respect, as well. Around the home/office I am extraordinarily casual--but if meeting a client or other business-type, I use the coat/tie as a sign of respect for THEM, not for me...***

Sure, but God is always present (omnipresent ya know) including the bathroom. And I find worship in there is uninterrupted and focused on Him. Guess I'll have to bathe in a coat and tie.

In worship He deserves my full attention and full devotion. That's how I honor Him. That's what He wants (Jn 4 Spirit and Truth).

You are pressing an earthly analogy toward Heaven despite the clear statement of Jesus that the Father seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth.

Dressing for church to please Him is fine if that's your conscience, but it is certainly not a biblical absolute that all must embrace.

James 2 gives a stern warning about sizing people up in church by what they are wearing.

2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?


NOTE TO KJV Onlyists:

"him that weareth the gay clothing"

Think this might be misunderstood by some unfamiliar with the Bible? A perfect translation.....

[George W. Bush]

I'm not a robed methodist. I'll wear one for a wedding, but normally...

After RnMom and drstevej have been mentioning the au naturel thing, I just wanted to make sure you were wearing something under that robe.

[Gamecock]

LOL, Hey CDL, check this out....

[George W. Bush]

I was once a mild mannered Wesleyan/Arminian...

My memory must be going. I don't recall it that way. Or drsteve being around either...