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norm in many denominations from Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Baptist, and "the fear of the Lord" has generally been replaced by "wanting a relationship with the Lord and [perhaps] with all [or some of those] who gather" (thus the spread of "the passing of the peace" or "the greeting" in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.)

[George W. Bush]

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.

We have that here in the Midwest. And usually police escort to ignore traffic lights and stop signs.

[drstevej]

I wasn't posting to the religion section when rn was Wesleyan. I have been posting in the politics section since 1998.

When I moved I had to re register so I am listed as Dec 2000.

When I first encountered rn on these threads she was no longer mild or Wesleyan! I don't think she had encountered an Amyraldian before yours truly.

[ninenot]

Interestingly, we have a number of 'street people' show up at my parish church--the church (thus, the bathrooms) are open on Sunday AM's. Convenient.

They are all quite respectful of what's going on, and their presence does not bother me, even when they are inside the nave.

I don't think God is all bent out of shape about whether I wear jeans/t-shirt or tie; but since I have the stuff, I'll wear it as a sign of respect. Those who DON'T have the stuff obviously can't wear it...

[drstevej]

***I don't think God is all bent out of shape about whether I wear jeans/t-shirt or tie; but since I have the stuff, I'll wear it as a sign of respect.***

That's okie dokie by me.

[First Amendment]

I think another valid point is that dressing to impress or attract others is not appropriate. A person should dress for public worship with modesty, so that others will not have their attention withdrawn from God to that person's attire or appearance.

[fortheDeclaration]

NOTE TO KJV Onlyists: "him that weareth the gay clothing" Think this might be misunderstood by some unfamiliar with the Bible? A perfect translation.....

Not if anyone looks up the word and sees the context it is in.

I guess 'temple prostitutes' is a good substitution for sodomites.

Wouldn't want to offend anyone now would we?

[drstevej]

***I think another valid point is that dressing to impress or attract others is not appropriate. A person should dress for public worship with modesty, so that others will not have their attention withdrawn from God to that person's attire or appearance. ***

Agreed.

[snerkel]

Ping to a beautiful testimony.

[youbetcha]

I believe that what is on the inside will be reflected on the outside. I think someone, male or female should dress appropriately no matter where they go. I always think when you go to worship, you should wear your very best.

[drstevej]

*** I always think when you go to worship, you should wear your very best. ***

I'll ask the wife to get the mink coat out of cold storage. It may be hot down here in Baton Rouge, but that's definitely her best. And she looks great in it.

The Father seeks those who worship in spirit and truth.
~ Jesus

[drstevej]

***I believe that what is on the inside will be reflected on the outside.***

Read James 2.

[youbetcha]

Absolutely you should worship in spirit and in truth, but that has nothing to do with attire. I was thinking about some girls who wear tank tops or skimpy clothes to church, when I know they have better clothes, or clothes that are not as revealing. What I meant by best didn't mean the most expensive.

[drstevej]

I agree that modest clothing is appropriate in church and elsewhere.

[snerkel]

youbetcha, do you believe that our inward purity before God is reflected by our outward dress code?

BTW, welcome to FR.

[drstevej]

I was teasing a bit, sorry. Welcome to FR and I did appreciate your input!

Steve

[First Amendment]

I might add (as someone with rather severe asthma) strong doses of heavy perfume can also take one's mind off of worship! (What to speak of inducing hacking fits!)

[RnMomof7]

Welcome to FR. I promise to be nice for a while:>))

[RnMomof7]

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..

Come on GW you know that I was a lovey dovey Wesleyan ....

[RnMomof7]

When I first encountered rn on these threads she was no longer mild or Wesleyan! I don't think she had encountered an Amyraldian before yours truly.

I had however hear of them:>) I had read an article saying McGee was one. I do not know if that is true, but I had to go look it up

[snerkel]

What exactly is an Amyraldian? I've seen the term used several times.