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Reverence in God's house

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DHK

<b>Moderator</b>
I don't believe for one minute that you are aware of churches that require those who cannot afford means of warmth to have such to attend church. I believe you are overstating the problem in order to support your view.
Even if it were true then there is an obligation put on the church:

James 2:15-16 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
 

nodak

Active Member
Site Supporter
Here's a novel but old fashioned thought:

How about each of us asking the Lord how we should dress in our particular local church to reach our particular field of harvest without compromising standards He would set for us?

And do it.

And let others follow their own convictions without judging them.

As a teen, that worked even to eliminate immodest clothing. Each was concerned to protect their witness, and found amazing freedom within modesty.
 

Johnv

New Member
That would word, Nodak, but "without judging them" is apparantly contrary to some folks' Baptist theology.
 

donnA

Active Member
I don't believe for one minute that you are aware of churches that require those who cannot afford means of warmth to have such to attend church. I believe you are overstating the problem in order to support your view.
and you are misstating what I actually said, get it right and we'll discuss it, but as long as your calling me a liar, without proof.
which reminds me, prove I'm a liar, prove no one here lives like this. otherwise I'm not the one lying here.
 

Spinach

New Member
Sister Donna, I think you're taking things way too personally here and assigning intent where there is none. Just my take.

Brother Aaron, exploiting the poor? Hardly. I was simply showing (with thankfulness) that God is not bound to our four walls, and, hallelujah, will meet with us, even in the dung hill.

As for the thread:
I have personal preferrences on what I wear---inside the church building and outside. I have preferrences on how I dress my children. How I raise my children. Etc. I do think that people should act respectful in the church house. But I don't think we should act better on Sundays than we do the rest of the week.

But none of that makes me holy (or holier than others who don't share my preferrences). If that were the case and my best was what was accepted, Cain's sacrifice would have been just fine. Unfortunately, we've gone the way of Cain if we think our best will grant us favor. Our righteousness stinks in God's nostrils.

That's why there is grace. Jesus paid the price and gave us His grace because we could Never, Ever do anything to merit the favor of Almighty God. Thank God for Jesus!!!
 

MB

Well-Known Member
Where is it said that if you don't dress up, you are dressing immodestly? All of us would condemn immodesty in church and everywhere else.
Hi Tom;
I would say that common sense wins here. I'm not talking about dressing up to show off your wealth, or make others uncomfortable. Dressing modestly to me is wearing what best represents our witness. It isn't necessarily an $1500. suit. I believe we should always put our best foot forward for the Lord. If all you have is rags to wear the by all means wear the best rags you have. I've seen women in shorts in the summer and men in sleaveless T- shirts, which is not appropreate.
You would wear your best for a job interview or to appear in court what makes them any better than being in the presence of the Lord. How we present ourselves says a lot about us. If you look like a slob you most likely are. Do slob's make good witnesses?
MB
 

Johnv

New Member
The "job interview" analogy is often cited, but not necessary the analogy that support dressing up. I wore a suit when I interviewed for my current job. But my daily business attire is the more casual dockers and a polo shirt. Both are modest, but one is appropriate for regular business attire, while the other is not. If the analogy applies to weekly worship, it shows that casual attire can be modest and respectful to the environment, just as my dockers and polo shirt are respectful to my business environment.
 

Mexdeaf

New Member
Hi Tom;
I would say that common sense wins here. I'm not talking about dressing up to show off your wealth, or make others uncomfortable. Dressing modestly to me is wearing what best represents our witness. It isn't necessarily an $1500. suit. I believe we should always put our best foot forward for the Lord. If all you have is rags to wear the by all means wear the best rags you have. I've seen women in shorts in the summer and men in sleaveless T- shirts, which is not appropreate.
You would wear your best for a job interview or to appear in court what makes them any better than being in the presence of the Lord. How we present ourselves says a lot about us. If you look like a slob you most likely are. Do slob's make good witnesses?
MB

Please provide your definition of 'slob' as determined by one's dress- dress jeans, Dockers, dress shirt, etc.
 

abcgrad94

Active Member
Hi Tom;
I would say that common sense wins here. I'm not talking about dressing up to show off your wealth, or make others uncomfortable. Dressing modestly to me is wearing what best represents our witness. It isn't necessarily an $1500. suit. I believe we should always put our best foot forward for the Lord. If all you have is rags to wear the by all means wear the best rags you have. I've seen women in shorts in the summer and men in sleaveless T- shirts, which is not appropreate.
You would wear your best for a job interview or to appear in court what makes them any better than being in the presence of the Lord. How we present ourselves says a lot about us. If you look like a slob you most likely are. Do slob's make good witnesses?
MB

We are ALWAYS in the presence of the Lord. Why do you say sleeveless T-shirts and shorts are not appropriate? According to whom? If it's not in the Bible, it's only your opinion.

It's fine to have a preference. We all do. But it's not our job to tell others their attire is not "appropriate" based on our PREFERENCE and not SCRIPTURE.
I also do not think we should say "common sense" dictates we wear (fill in the blank) because it implies that others who do not share your opinion do not have common sense. Culture, tradition, or personal preference is what dictates it, usually, not "common sense."
 

paul wassona

New Member
The "job interview" analogy is often cited, but not necessary the analogy that support dressing up. I wore a suit when I interviewed for my current job. But my daily business attire is the more casual dockers and a polo shirt. Both are modest, but one is appropriate for regular business attire, while the other is not. If the analogy applies to weekly worship, it shows that casual attire can be modest and respectful to the environment, just as my dockers and polo shirt are respectful to my business environment.
So you're sayingthat when going to church you have a higher standard for "regular business attire" than for it?

I asked earlier andit was so conveniently ignored, "Didn't Jesus mean 1st the inside should be made clean and then the outside is next? Isn't the connection made that we are the temple which is to be adorned better on the outside than the tabernacle was covered with badger's skins?

I would have to say that kahki's resemble badger's skins more closely than "reg. bus. attire" "Dockers" ARE CONSIDERD KAHKI'S AND ALSO ARE CASUAL.
 

paul wassona

New Member
Please provide your definition of 'slob' as determined by one's dress- dress jeans, Dockers, dress shirt, etc.
Caution MB, my experiences with mexdeaf is all he wants to do is pick a fight.

Your own counterpart defined this for you already mexdeaf, do you also think God deserves less than regular business attire but the world deserves bette?
 
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paul wassona

New Member
We are ALWAYS in the presence of the Lord. Why do you say sleeveless T-shirts and shorts are not appropriate? According to whom? If it's not in the Bible, it's only your opinion.

It's fine to have a preference. We all do. But it's not our job to tell others their attire is not "appropriate" based on our PREFERENCE and not SCRIPTURE.
I also do not think we should say "common sense" dictates we wear (fill in the blank) because it implies that others who do not share your opinion do not have common sense. Culture, tradition, or personal preference is what dictates it, usually, not "common sense."
I have read where the bearing of the thigh is always considered nakedness. I also know that when the upper portion of the arm is exposed it draws attention and when it is covered it draws less attention.

Don't blame me for the truth, blame the depravity of mankind.
 

Johnv

New Member
So you're sayingthat when going to church you have a higher standard for "regular business attire" than for it?
No, saying that, if you're using the analogy of wearing a suit for an interview, one must accept the fact that appropriate business attire on daily basis is informal, and still appropriate.
I asked earlier andit was so conveniently ignored, "Didn't Jesus mean 1st the inside should be made clean and then the outside is next? Isn't the connection made that we are the temple which is to be adorned better on the outside than the tabernacle was covered with badger's skins?
You're assuming incorrectly that informal attire is akin to "badger skins". That assumption is not scripturally consistent.
I would have to say that kahki's resemble badger's skins more closely than "reg. bus. attire" "Dockers" ARE CONSIDERD KAHKI'S AND ALSO ARE CASUAL.
You can say that. Scripture doesn't.
 

tinytim

<img src =/tim2.jpg>
I have read where the bearing of the thigh is always considered nakedness. I also know that when the upper portion of the arm is exposed it draws attention and when it is covered it draws less attention.

Don't blame me for the truth, blame the depravity of mankind.

You have read it where? Taliban Quarterly? :tongue3:

Scripture please.

At one time, showing ankles was considered nakedness... In our church records, a pastor was asked to leave because his wife wore a dress that showed the calf of her leg... this was early 1900's.
 

Mexdeaf

New Member
Your own counterpart defined this for you already mexdeaf, do you also think God deserves less than regular business attire but the world deserves bette?

I think God deserves what he wants- that is that I should love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, strength; and love my neighbor as myself. His attention is upon the heart. I believe there is a Scripture which says, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart."

Perhaps we could find some grace on this issue if our hearts were tuned to Him and not to the appearance of others around us.
 

Mexdeaf

New Member
I have read where the bearing of the thigh is always considered nakedness. I also know that when the upper portion of the arm is exposed it draws attention and when it is covered it draws less attention.

Don't blame me for the truth, blame the depravity of mankind.

The depravity comes not from a lack of dress, but from a lack of self-control on the part of the beholder.
 

paul wassona

New Member
You have read it where? Taliban Quarterly? :tongue3:

Scripture please.

At one time, showing ankles was considered nakedness... In our church records, a pastor was asked to leave because his wife wore a dress that showed the calf of her leg... this was early 1900's.
You know your Bible so well, find it yourself, it's there but maybe you intentionally overlooked it.
 
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