IS THERE A CHRISTIAN DRESSING CODE?

[Michael Shimiyu]

While there is a serious debate about the Islamic dress for women (the Veil) especially in some parts of Europe, nothing seems to bother the christian world. Muslims, world wide, seem to agree on how their Men and women should dress, because there might be some clearly stated codes of dressing in their book. Being extensively travelled myself, I can submit that there is no specific design of type of dress christians the world over have subscribed to. In many countries, Christian do not deviate much from the prevallent cultural way of dressing. Many things bother me though, like the level of decency, or differentitiation between women and men attires. Searching through the bible on the subject matter, and especially in the new testament, i find some instructions directed primarily to women, and these have to do with decency and moderation. Very few, or certainly none in the NT, are directed specifically to men. Most likely implying there was no issue with men as far as clothing ic concerned during the time of the NT. But we seem to have some issues with men too in this generation as many are accustomed to practices like hair plaiting, and do put on ear rings, etc.

Again, it is difficult to make the difference and Deut: 22:5 is at fault.

Deut. 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.


Now, with so many different cultures in the world, how can there be a differentiation between Women's and men's garments especially on a cross-cultural context? What does the scripture (above) mean in practical Christian living? Or can we be safe to say that this instruction applied only to the Children of Israel? Is there, in a broad sense, a Christian Code of dressing? What could that constitute in biblical context?

Can someone help to provide answers for these questions?

Regards

Michael

 

[Fembot]

So, I should throw out my jeans?

What about men in Scotland who wear kilts? Is that what men really should wear?

In that case, my wearing jeans is appropriate?

Sorry, I have no answers for you. Just more questions
I am certain that we should not dress to mock each other or expose our bodies in inappropriate ways.

 

[Apostle Paul]

I am from a very "outward holiness" background. They often speak of "holiness standards," which is their way of saying "dress code." I moved away from that orientation a long time ago, but I will have to say that there is truth to what they are trying to convey.

I don't believe there should be a stereotypical formula for the way a Christian should dress, but there should be a few overriding principles that guide a person.

Modesty and moderation should be guides in all that we do. Someone says, "well, what is modest for you may not be modest for me." That is true, but, let me give you a simple test:

Dress in a way that you normally dress then go to someone of the opposite sex that you trust to tell you the truth and ask them, "If you saw someone dressed like I am dressed, what kind of thoughts would you have about them?"

 

[Michael Shimiyu]

Fembot wrote, "So, I should throw out my jeans?"

Of course not so fast, at least not yet now....! But may be the questions you may wish to ask yourself are like: what do you make out of that scripture? Why are you dressing the way you do? And as Apostle Paul? (I wonder which Paul?) puts it: what is the general impression or message that is communicated to the 'society' around you? And more questions are like: does it matter the way I appear? Does God care about the outward appearance?

Unfortunately more questions than answers!

Michael

 

[Armor of God]

Deut. 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Now, with so many different cultures in the world, how can there be a differentiation between Women's and men's garments especially on a cross-cultural context? What does the scripture (above) mean in practical Christian living? Or can we be safe to say that this instruction applied only to the Children of Israel? Is there, in a broad sense, a Christian Code of dressing? What could that constitute in biblical context?

Can someone help to provide answers for these questions?

I think the best way to understand this is through the context of the Pentateuch as a whole. Israel was a slave nation in Egypt for hundreds of years and adopted many of the local rituals and their idolatry. God gave the nation these laws to begin purging this idolatry from the culture. Deuteronomy was the "retelling" of the laws God laid out to prepare the nation to enter the Promised Land.

In pagan temple rituals of the time, people would wear costumes as part of their worship which included masquerading as the opposite sex and culminating in orgies which could include homosexuality.

Some of the laws in Pentateuch may see trivial by today's society but the main emphasis was to address specific instances of pagan customs and idolatry in the nation. It took the nation of Israel only a few months to leave Egypt but it took 40 years of purification in the wilderness to get the Egypt out of Israel!

I think the application of dress in today's times is not to give the appearance of evil and also not to dress in a way that is immodest which could cause a weaker brother/sister to fall. I think this would include cross-dressing for sexual pleasure and lust, dressing to stand out and be a distraction, or dressing immodestly to show off in a sexual manner.

 

[Michael Shimiyu]

I am from a very "outward holiness" background. They often speak of "holiness standards," which is their way of saying "dress code." I moved away from that orientation a long time ago, but I will have to say that there is truth to what they are trying to convey.

I don't know what made you move away from your previous position. Was it because you could not stand anymore the tide that was mostly and increasingly going against your conviction? Or was it because you had grown to another level of 'understanding!' on the subject matter? If the later reason applies (or there may be any other...), could it be the former perpetuated a down-trend to this 'inferior' position? I am worried that many are giving in and compromising otherwise straight forward truths of the bible by not heeding to Jesus' warning for the last days.

Matthew 24:12
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

[quote="Armor of God":1ghsasse]

I think the best way to understand this is through the context of the Pentateuch as a whole. Israel was a slave nation in Egypt for hundreds of years and adopted many of the local rituals and their idolatry. God gave the nation these laws to begin purging this idolatry from the culture. Deuteronomy was the "retelling" of the laws God laid out to prepare the nation to enter the Promised Land.

In pagan temple rituals of the time, people would wear costumes as part of their worship which included masquerading as the opposite sex and culminating in orgies which could include homosexuality.

Some of the laws in Pentateuch may see trivial by today's society but the main emphasis was to address specific instances of pagan customs and idolatry in the nation. It took the nation of Israel only a few months to leave Egypt but it took 40 years of purification in the wilderness to get the Egypt out of Israel

[/quote:1ghsasse]

That could have been a good way of explaining away the scriptures to justifying the declining spiritual sensitivity of our generation today. I understand that some of what we consider to be 'trivial' portions of scriptures can be well understood by looking into the historical context, or other tools of interpretation. My only concern is that some of the instructions given in the bible are simple and straight forward. Many a scriptures are considered ambigous when they collide head on with what has become acceptable to our societies in this present generation. I am afraid, that there have been, as they will keep on sprouting, a multitude of teachers trying to explain away some of the otherwise vivid commandments and instructions of God. Are we heeding the Apostle Paul's warning for the end times we are in?

2 Tim. 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.


I am afraid again, that we are slowly, but surely giving in to the craftiness of the enemy...slowly being enticed into the lusts of this generation unknowingly. These are evil days.

 

[Mark62]

While there is a serious debate about the Islamic dress for women (the Veil) especially in some parts of Europe, nothing seems to bother the christian world. Muslims, world wide, seem to agree on how their Men and women should dress, because there might be some clearly stated codes of dressing in their book. Being extensively travelled myself, I can submit that there is no specific design of type of dress christians the world over have subscribed to. In many countries, Christian do not deviate much from the prevallent cultural way of dressing. Many things bother me though, like the level of decency, or differentitiation between women and men attires. Searching through the bible on the subject matter, and especially in the new testament, i find some instructions directed primarily to women, and these have to do with decency and moderation. Very few, or certainly none in the NT, are directed specifically to men. Most likely implying there was no issue with men as far as clothing ic concerned during the time of the NT. But we seem to have some issues with men too in this generation as many are accustomed to practices like hair plaiting, and do put on ear rings, etc.

My guess is partly that the true Christian faith is one of Grace and not works. Once we start hammering on about dress-code etc like the muslims then we start adding extras to our salvation through Grace.

The fact is, we don't have to conform to any one style which is in itself helpful in our mission to reach the lost. 1 Cor 9:19-23 would support this broad application I would think.

By the way, I have my ear pierced as have a number of Christian men I have known over the years.

 

[Nick]

I think the application of dress in today's times is not to give the appearance of evil and also not to dress in a way that is immodest which could cause a weaker brother/sister to fall. I think this would include cross-dressing for sexual pleasure and lust, dressing to stand out and be a distraction, or dressing immodestly to show off in a sexual manner.

I think that sums it all up. However, that doesn't mean we should 'fit in to the crowd'. I think it's OK to stand out a bit - if your motivation for doing so is not sexual.

 

[Guest]

Modesty. What is considered modest will vary from culture to culture.

 

[Nick]

Modesty. What is considered modest will vary from culture to culture.

Yes, cultures can vary. This can lead people to being ignorant of others' culture, and judging their culture (and their culture's 'dressing code') with their own culture in mind. So I guess just keeping in mind others' cultures and recognising that they might be dressing fine for their culture, even if it may be unacceptable in yours, cause let's face it - is there only one right culture? I think not.

 

[Michael Shimiyu]

I am really grateful for most of the answers I am receiving from different angles of the globe. I do believe that most of these responses are based on not only personal conviction but also cultural orientation. And that is where I am in trouble because cultures are not the same.

Yes, cultures can vary. This can lead people to being ignorant of others' culture, and judging their culture (and their culture's 'dressing code') with their own culture in mind. So I guess just keeping in mind others' cultures and recognising that they might be dressing fine for their culture, even if it may be unacceptable in yours, cause let's face it - is there only one right culture? I think not.

Speaking of accommodating cultural shortfalls in this area (of dress) for the sake of winning souls into the Kingdom of Christ reminds me of what I have learned in history classes. Comming from the part of Africa, which was considered the 'dark' continent I learn that the kind of dresses used by my fore fathers were barely sufficient to cover the body and could not in anyway be considered modest. People walked practically naked! (please and I hope you can immagine what I am trying to say...)

Here came the missionaries, we are told, the likes of Dr LivingStone, etc, and introduced the way of grace (the Gospel). But after the people were converted, they never continued to dress as they did before...they were taught, and learned a New Culture...women started wearing long dresses, and men, in church, had to put on suits, (plus a tie ....) even in the tropical weather, where temperatures go as high as 30 degrees centigrade! That was in the early eighteenth century up to the late 1980's. The culture of dressing 'properly' and respectably was so much inculcated in the society so much that even the unbelievers adhered to what had become a norm. That was, to my opinion, effective evangelism.

Things have never continued so however. Come the 21st century, with exposure to TV and increased interaction in the globe, the trend is changing fast. It started with unbelievers, switching to what they see on TV's, Movies etc, what I call shameful dressing. Whether they are true or not (as most movies are mostly acting works of arts....), the society is copying it fast. The church is stepping in the same shoes so fast, catching up with modernity...motives unknown!??? Whatever happenned to the 'culture' introduced by Christianity? Where does the guiding Spirit of Grace Stand? - only God knows...and the enemy so also does! We are free, so they say, for if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed! And where the Spirit is, so is Liberty, the Liberty we are all called in the Lord! ( )

Sorry for this long narration. But I want to bring out some important points here...culture does not seem to be static...and so is the dressing culture! I think every one of you will agree with me that things have not been the same as they were in the past. For those of you who were born more than 40 -50 years back will appreciate the fact that things are not the same any more. And so is what we try to defend on our theme, culture. The world, and all that there is in are passing away!

We appreciate for the good and positive changes. And I whole heartedly accept and support all those developments that have improved humanity spiritually, materially and morally. But on this issue of dressing I think things are falling off on the negative trend. As I travel around the world, I have noted two significant dressing cultures (codes) in the societies...the erlderly code, which embraces modesty, and the youngster's culture...which is sad to say... is nothing short of an abomonation to the Lord!

Sadly, we are allowing it to happen and take roots in christian cicles! And coin the scriptures to bulge to our changing culture....( I wonder what if these wanning and changing cultures will dicide to live like Adam and Eve...the church and our Apostles, the missionaries will have to put up with it forever, and not strive to change it!!!???). Our Morden day missionaries today, are afraid of offending the societies they are sent to, even when the issue at stake is a serious one... But I challenge every one who is indefferent about this subject, or who treats it with simplicity, as if it is not one of the christian virtue (--of goodness), to examine what I have pointed out...and dicide whether we are giving the scriptures its rigtful consideration, apart from trying to explain it away, to justify the depravation of our generation.

I hope read from you friends soon. Hoping that you will try and examine the subject from demographic history.

I humbly submit

 

[Fembot]

I am afraid again, that we are slowly, but surely giving in to the craftiness of the enemy...slowly being enticed into the lusts of this generation unknowingly. These are evil days.

Yes, just listen to any popular radio station

 

[Fembot]

So I guess just keeping in mind others' cultures and recognising that they might be dressing fine for their culture, even if it may be unacceptable in yours, cause let's face it - is there only one right culture? I think not.

:yes

 

[Michael Shimiyu]

Nick_29 wrote:
So I guess just keeping in mind others' cultures and recognising that they might be dressing fine for their culture, even if it may be unacceptable in yours, cause let's face it - is there only one right culture? I think not.

How true! There isn't only one right culture. And there are 'wrong' cultures too! Should'nt we be concern as to whether we have the right one ( or I prefer to use the word -acceptable before the Lord, or in line with Christian Norms (Code? Is there one?).

1 Thes. 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

My guess is partly that the true Christian faith is one of Grace and not works. Once we start hammering on about dress-code etc like the muslims then we start adding extras to our salvation through Grace.

Does grace mean lawlessness?

 

[Paidion]

Peter's instructions to Christian wives, transcends all culture:

Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing, but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you do right and let nothing terrify you. I Peter 3:1-6

Paul wrote to Timothy:

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self–control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness––with good works. I Timothy 2:8-10 ESV

The apostles didn't impose a dress code on anyone. But they did give instruction in modesty, humility, and good deeds.

 

[Nick]

My guess is partly that the true Christian faith is one of Grace and not works. Once we start hammering on about dress-code etc like the muslims then we start adding extras to our salvation through Grace.

Does grace mean lawlessness?

No, but what Mark was trying to say there was that we shouldn't get caught up (like you see Muslims doing) in thinking that a dress code is one way of getting to heaven, or letting it distract us from our heavenly goals. There are much more important things than a dress code.

 

[Lewis]

I still wear jeans with the holes in them, I collect large belt buckles, sometimes I am almost a hippie throwback, minus the drugs. And then the next day you might see me in a suit.

 

[Mark62]

Nick_29 wrote:
So I guess just keeping in mind others' cultures and recognising that they might be dressing fine for their culture, even if it may be unacceptable in yours, cause let's face it - is there only one right culture? I think not.

How true! There isn't only one right culture. And there are 'wrong' cultures too! Should'nt we be concern as to whether we have the right one ( or I prefer to use the word -acceptable before the Lord, or in line with Christian Norms (Code? Is there one?).

1 Thes. 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

It seems to me Michael you have a problem with cultural diversity within the Christian faith. We go to a church in Sydney that has a number of services on a Sunday, about 7 or 8 at our main building. Australia is a multicultural society and Sydney probably more so than most other parts of Australia.

7-45am service is a traditional Anglican prayerbook service. Most of the men at this service where suits to Church and the minister robes.
9-00am is a contempory family service. The minister does not where any robes and no one wears a tie, a lot more casual. A few of our congregation are Indian or Sri Lankan and some of the women wear saris soem weeks.
10-45am is Chinese service and most of the men are in suits and the women a lot more formal than at our service.
11-00am a smaller service in another hall is a mixed Anglo/Parsi (Iranian) service with a real mixture of dress codes.
5-00pm, 5-30pm & 7-15 pm are all youth services of varying types (one Chinese) and yes, you guessed it, even more laid back dress-wise than any of the others, including Im sure the odd person turning up barefoot to church.

Does it really matter how I dress as long as it doesnt get in the way of my brother or sister's Christian worship or growth. (1 Cor 8:9). Paul's message here on eating certain foods would certainly apply to Christians drinking alcohol, or dressing in certain ways etc.

My guess is partly that the true Christian faith is one of Grace and not works. Once we start hammering on about dress-code etc like the muslims then we start adding extras to our salvation through Grace.

Does grace mean lawlessness?

No of course not, that would be Gnostocism wouldn't it?

Our salvation comes from Grace not works. Grace is God's forgiveness for our sins not salvation through our works. Without God's Grace and Jesus' death & resurrection Christianity as such falls in a screaming heap.

Think of our faith like a train with Grace as the engine that tows everything else. These will include our works. As the Holy Spirit changes us, it changes our what we do and our underlying reasons for doing what we do.

On the other hand the "good' non-Christian has but a train of carriages with no real engine. Carriages full of works unto what end? They can dress as they like, even sit in church, none of it makes them a Christian.

 

[Michael Shimiyu]

My dear friends, I had not been looking into the website for the last 24 hrs and I seem to have missed many of the responses. I really enjoyed reading most of the challenging views and i took every positive advise on the matter. I have a few responses to submit though on grace, culture and diversity.

I know that we are saved by faith through grace. I also know that through the work of grace the Holy Spirit transforms us to comform to the image of Christ. Throughout my Christian life, having been affiliated with many different churches, I have learned that the subject of Dress in the churches is treated rather cautiously. The church leaders preach against most of the 'sins' except that of 'indecent exposure' through dress, especially among women, and now is becoming common to men, too! On this issue, Church leaders and Pastors believe that the Holy Spirit is supposed to persuade individual believers to acknowledge the acceptable standard. But I am afraid, Many are not filled by the Spirit in the first place, leave alone been lead by Him. Talk of the Holy Spirit transforming lives, one can not avoid touching Romans 12:1-2.

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

But in the name of culture, it is difficult to tell, which is worldly and what is not. That is why I have problem with accepting all kinds of culture when the law of the Spirit is 'abused'.

Disciple-ship to me would mean confronting all those things that do not conform to the Gospel, even if the same are popular in a certain cultural setting. I believe many of the cultures need to be changed to comply with the word of God! All of it (of course, rightly applied).

Acts 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:


I believe the call for repentance should as well cover the area of dress. We cannot treat this as a lesser matter. God's word is binding even if it refers to what we think to be a less important matter. Breaking the smallest commandment has consequences. Remember Jesus' warning on breaking the small commandments.

Matthew 5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.


As a teacher of the word for some years now, I have always warned my fellow teachers not to break anyone of the smallest commandments, and teach others likewise. I think some of the problems we have been facing in marriages, and immorality , in societies are partly contributed by the dressing culture. By seeing people improperly dressed someones soul is vexed! Of course we are so used with our diverse culture (even if it does not conform to biblical standards), so much that we have become insensitive. We don't want to offend anyone. And if one raises the alarm, we consider him/her having a problem with diversity!

Please Consider what I say.

 

[Mark62]

My dear friends, I had not been looking into the website for the last 24 hrs and I seem to have missed many of the responses. I really enjoyed reading most of the challenging views and i took every positive advise on the matter. I have a few responses to submit though on grace, culture and diversity.

I know that we are saved by faith through grace. I also know that through the work of grace the Holy Spirit transforms us to comform to the image of Christ. Throughout my Christian life, having been affiliated with many different churches, I have learned that the subject of Dress in the churches is treated rather cautiously. The church leaders preach against most of the 'sins' except that of 'indecent exposure' through dress, especially among women, and now is becoming common to men, too! On this issue, Church leaders and Pastors believe that the Holy Spirit is supposed to persuade individual believers to acknowledge the acceptable standard. But I am afraid, Many are not filled by the Spirit in the first place, leave alone been lead by Him. Talk of the Holy Spirit transforming lives, one can not avoid touching Romans 12:1-2.

As a father of two teenage boys I am curoius as to which attire you are referring to exactly. Especially that worn by men. I can only assume you are talking about our youth so I will post accordingly.

I sure if we all cast our minds back, most of our parents threw their arms up in disgust at some point about the clothes we were wearing but over time our attire became more conservative. Much of what younger people wear today is either a re-hash of what previous generations (as is the music). Some isn't.

What a lot of younger people wear is (as it was when we were younger) a reflection of where they believe sit within the now myriad of sub-cultures that permeate our society, and that is to ignore the other ethic cultures that have influenced and exist within the "traditional" Anglo culture that has held sway over the past 200 years (here in Australia anyway). My sons often go to youth group or church with black T-shirts emblazened with logos of some of their favourite bands such as Dream Theater or Bullet for My Valentine.

Despite what my sons might wear to church occaisionally, as long as what is on their T-shirts isnt offensive, then it is what is in their hearts that is important. After all they aren't alone in what they wear.They hunger to go to Youth group every Friday night and Bible study on Sunday afternoon followed by Sunday evening dinner at Church & then Church itself. Over the next few years they will (as I did) outgrow the band-emblazoned T-shirt phase.

I understand where you are coming from Michael but is it such a problem among young Christians? From where I sit I don't see it as an issue at all.