Too much too fast

hummm, people gong to church, yep, sounds like something God would be displeased with doesn't it.
Unless you can find scripture that directly states not to ware bluejeans or have something other then hymns in church, then I would have a hard time believeing your statement. You grew up in a culture where that was not acceptable, it does not make it scripture, but rather cultural.

 

Donna, it is not everyday that I agree with you on things, but today's the day!

 

Vermae,

1 Samuel 16:7--

"the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

You're majoring on the minors, and missing the point.

Donna's right...there is not biblical prohibition against blue jeans in church.

 

Sorry vermae -

I guess I'm confused... we don't use "hip-hop" but we do allow blue jeans. Does this mean we're only halfway doomed?

In all seriousness, I agree that the clothes in this case DO NOT make the man. A cowboy in our church was told he was inappropriately dressed to be an usher. He was in a starched shirt and "dress" black denim jeans. Anyway, because of this situation, Bill was wounded by another brother. He came to me (a staff member) and asked what he should do. I told him not to worry... keep coming and worshipping God. The Father will sort it all out. So things seem to be back to normal... although Bill is no longer an usher by his own choice.

 

Didn't everyone wear robes in biblical times? Did Christians wear suits back then, too?

 

No, they just wore ties with their robe and cloak.

 

I go back and forth on this, but I think vermae is saying this out of a frustration of the church "conforming" to the world, to get people to come in, instead of "going out" with the gospel. I do find that when in a more "relaxed" church environment that I don't have a sense of the Holiness of God or that His name is held high. However, churches where you have to look a certain way seem to be lacking Spirit.

I have been to churches where I was made fun of for dressing up! It was the father of one of my friends who helped to found the church. It was sort of like "you don't have to dress up to come to this church, so why bother?" Their motto is "come just as you are". Hmm..what if I come straight out of the shower?

When I dress up, it's not because I feel I have to, but out of reverence for God. I can surely dress up once a week for God. I don't have to. I think in 1 Cor it talks about one man holding days more sacred then others and another treating all the same, but Paul concludes that whaetever you do, do it for God. So whether you show up in bluejeans or a three-piece suit, do it unto the Lord!

With that said, if you were invited to the White House for dinner, how would you dress? I would dress up out of respect for the office of President, no matter who is President at the time.

However, I'd rather go to a church filled with homeless people who love the Lord, than a church full of "white-washed tombs".

 

I meet God every morning in my PJ's. Now I am quite sure he is displeased with that so I am going to change my ways and take my bath, put on my suit and tie before I have my devotions in the morning from now on.

I am sure He will be impressed.

 

I wanna come to church in my robe! Do I get to wear my jammies too? Sorry......

Seriously, there are some good points to dressing a bit better for church than you do on the weekday. One: It's an outward show of giving your best to the Lord. Two: If I showed up in what I'm wearing now every asthmatic in the church would be reaching for thier inhaler(I've been weedeating and am covered in grass, but I'm wearing blue jeans!).

It never hurts to have higher standards and give your best to the Lord, or does it? If you dress up on Sunday, but never meet your next door neighbor much less invite him to church, do you really have higher standards? Are you really giving your best? That new suit and tie (or dress) you just bought, is that the best use of your money (gotta look good at church, right?) or is your church collecting money to help that member's family who's home just burned? Where is the standard?

Clothes issues really just bother me because there are soooooo many things more important to God than how we dress! Think love, folks! I believe God had rather we love our neighbor than worry about what he's wearing to church.

'Nuff said.

 

It's ok for a boat to be in the sea but there is a problem when the sea is in the boat. Scripture tells us that in the last days the church will make God sick. I believe we are in that day. So many "christians" mock at someone that is really trying to be different and not conform to the world and to be as Christ like as they think possible. This board is a verrrrry good example of that!

 

Why do you think God is displeased with hip-hop style music and blue clothing made out of denim?

I can sing old-fashioned hymns and wear dresses made out of non-denim materials outside of church. Does that make home less worshipful?

Since when is music style and what clothes are made out of something that God looks at? In fact, aren't there scriptural indicators that say "dressing up" can be a form of immodesty? I'd think my most costly array would be saved for my most "wordly functions".

And just for extra emphasis...

 

The main new testament text cited concerning modesty was specifically about women who overdressed... whose appearance was intended to bring attention to themselves and make others feel inferior... it fed vanity. The point seemed to have been that people should wear their normal clothing.

I would say that is the spirit in some of the dresses only churches I have been acquainted with... not all but certainly a good number.

 

I don't see any 'mocking'. I see some folks wanting to know where in the Bible a specific style of dress is commanded for church.

We Baptists are real good at banging on other religions for their unscriptural 'traditions' when we have quite a few of our own.

 

If you wear anything at all you are conforming to someone in the world. Some of the world's greediest, most immoral men wear suits like many churches expect.

It is also pretty arrogant, pompous, and presumptuous of you to assume that those who men who don't wear a suit and tie to church or women who don't wear a dress are any less interested in being different or not conforming to the world than YOU. YOU are not the standard for holiness. God's Word is... and it doesn't say one word about not wearing jeans or women being required to wear dresses.

In fact, your comments have been some of the most "mocking", condescending, and holier than thou on this issue of any posted. The gist of your opponents' argument has been "show me the scripture"... it is you that has consistently questioned their holiness and spirituality.

Maybe you should be more concerned with what scripture actually says to make us Christlike rather than what you "think" makes you Christlike.

Particularly your posts.

 

Difference of opinion in not mocking.

and yet yer still here.

 

It is also pretty arrogant, pompous, and presumptuous of you to assume that those who men who don't wear a suit and tie to church or women who don't wear a dress are any less interested in being different or not conforming to the world than YOU. YOU are not the standard for holiness. God's Word is... and it doesn't say one word about not wearing jeans or women being required to wear dresses.

In fact, your comments have been some of the most "mocking", condescending, and holier than thou on this issue of any posted. The gist of your opponents' argument has been "show me the scripture"... it is you that has consistently questioned their holiness and spirituality.
by Scotty
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WOW! When did I say all that? Who licked the red off your candy? I was trying to be nice to you buddy.

 

Jesus called the pharasees white washed tombs because they spent all their time worrying about outward appearance while neglecting the inside of their cups. What they needed was inner cleansing from sin - wash the inside and the whole cup will be clean. Perhaps we should spend more time getting the inside of our own cup clean instead of focusing on the outward appearance of others dress and music preferences.

 

Shiloh,
This subject is quite easy for me compared to others (such as Calvinism, etc). The Pharisees were perfectly dressed for their day, they prayed the correct prayers, they gave to correct offering, they worshiped the correct way, yet their hearts were as far from God as possible. Jesus called them "whitewashed tombs." In fact, false outward appearances are one of the few things that made Jesus angry.

From my generation, yes, I like hymns from the old hymnals. Yes, I grew up with the suit and tie thingy. But to sit here and say that this is what God wants in worship is crazy.

Lets see, what does this have to do with a true heart for worshiping God.

1. Songs written between 1500-1890 put in a hymnal book.

2. Wearing a suit and tie that didnt even exist in Jesus day.

3. Wearing dresses

4. Amish wearing 1870s midwest clothing.

5. Church of Christ not playing instruments

6. Etc, etc, etc

If the younger people's hearts are worshiping God with the new Christian music, and they are wearing jeans, I say, Amen, and more power to them.

And as a sidenote, lets see some of the ways our
"traditional" generation has brought the world into the church. How about gossiping in corners of the church, yak yak yak? How about looking at watches during sermons? How about getting mad when someone has taken your seat? How about stuffing ourselves like pigs at pot lucks? How about not going to visitation and not witnessing which is our number one reason for being here? How about being a pew sitter and never helping with teaching, van driving, hospital visits, work of the church, etc? How about not attending a service when I have something more exciting to do?

I think nothing else needs to be said about the subject. Its all a matter of the heart towards God through Jesus Christ.

 

I grew up with the suit and tie, my wife wore "proper" attire, and our children were "well-dressed." We sang only hymns. Today it is a mixed bag for our children, who are all married. Our grandchildren couldn't give a flip about dress codes, styles, what's proper and what's not, and they move to the beat of upscale music (at least they attend services). I've become comfortable with much of it, periodically, but not all. The snow cones and candy in the foyer, much like a movie theatre, turn me off, along with the hawking of gifts. I'll never forget the distraction of a young girl (not in our church), maybe 8 years old, walking down steps in the balcony, periously juggling a cardboard container of soft drinks and popcorn, to her waiting family, and their subsequent consumption of it all.

I want to be in the spirit, inside the church building, as well as outside. I want to be moved in love and adoration for an amazing God and His amazing grace. I think the traditional worship service facilitates that. The language "I want to be in the spirit" divides me into the "I" on the one hand, and the "spirit" on the other. I want the two to merge, 24/7/365, so that I am no longer I, but more and more like Jesus, exercising the "mind" (the Spiritual insight and understanding) of Christ. The English language (well, any language) makes the depth of understanding of that burning desire difficult for others to comprehend. Hip hop doesn't help my witness much. (BTW, we have no dress code at our SBC church. Guys in blue jeans, cowboy shirts and boots, sometimes usher. It's done on a rotation basis, involving all the deacons. Some are in suit and tie, others aren't.)