should women wear dresses/skirts all the time

[Baptistgal]

Why is it that a lady comes in here and, in answer to another person's question, states her own personal conviction she is called legalistic and almost (not quite) called a liar? FBCPastorsWife did nothing but state her own personal conviction and give an honest assessment of why she held to those convictions. I think she did it in a humble, ladylike way, without being rude or nasty, and without acting "holier than thou."
She also gave some good reasons for her conviction, which is more than I can say for most who disagreed with her.

I also have the same conviction. It is a personal conviction, one which the Lord showed me over the years. There is nothing I have to do that cannot be done in a dress. I don't live on a farm, but ladies back in the 1800s wore dresses while doing dirty work....it is not impossible. Regardless of that though, any lady wearing dresses only should be doing so because it is a conviction from God. And anyone who does not agree with her, should not try to justify themselves by cutting her down, or calling her legalistic.

Just my opinion, but Ive been treated this way as well over this issue, and it has always baffled me.

 

[dianetavegia]

I wear dress slacks to church more often than a dress or skirt because I work with the 4 year olds and after years of sitting on the floor or having kids crawl through my legs.......

BTW... if you do a search on dresses only, etc. you'll find dozens of VERY angry/ heated threads where some women called those of us who wear pants sodomites, lesbians, etc. so that's why people tend to be very defensive on this subject.

Diane

 

[Gershom]

Baptistgal posted:
Why is it that a lady comes in here and, in answer to another person's question, states her own personal conviction she is called legalistic and almost (not quite) called a liar? FBCPastorsWife did nothing but state her own personal conviction and give an honest assessment of why she held to those convictions.

I don't think anyone believes FBCPW is a liar. But some take offense (as Diane pointed out) because of past and present treatment over this issue. It may add to the tension to suggest that God "convicted" you to always wear a dress while others have not received such "conviction" thereby insinuating, whether intentional or not, you have a "hand up" spiritually.

I applaud both you and FBCPastorsWife for your desire to please our Lord in dressing with modesty.

 

[FBCPastorsWife]

Thank you Baptistgal and Gershom for your understanding words. I only try to do what "I feel" is God-honoring and I don't ever want to make others feel lower. Again I thank you

 

[Gershom]

 

[HankD]

FBCPastorsWife did nothing but state her own personal conviction and give an honest assessment of why she held to those convictions.

Well baptistgal it's not as bad as you think.

This is a "debate" forum and others were giving their opposing opinions, no harm intended.

I do agree with one thing, I would much rather see my wife in dresses than slacks.

HankD

 

[Baptistgal]

ok Diane, thats a fair point....Ive never been to sites like that, and I would tend to believe that anyone calling a woman a sodomite for wearing pants was being a "troll" and trying to make us all look bad.

Regardless, Ive been called legalistic many times simply because I only wear dresses. Plus I hate to see a Pastor's wife come and be frowned upon over such a thing.

HankD...while I appreciate your words of wisdom, I thought this particular thread was more of a question and answer forum rather than a debate.

 

[dianetavegia]

Originally posted by Baptistgal:
ok Diane, thats a fair point....Ive never been to sites like that, and I would tend to believe that anyone calling a woman a sodomite for wearing pants was being a "troll" and trying to make us all look bad.

WELCOME TO THAT SITE!!! We were called that HERE~

 

[Thankful]

Regardless of that though, any lady wearing dresses only should be doing so because it is a conviction from God.

Perhaps I do not understand this statement, but I believe that a lady can wear only dresses without a conviction from God. My mother wears only dresses, but she never required me to do so. And she never told me that it was a conviction from God. My mother is a Christian and when she was able was very active in the church.

I believe appropriate and modest dress is the key.

I agree it is the woman's choice. I usually dress to please my husband. He prefers dresses for certain occasions, but never complains if I wear slacks, pant suits, or jeans.

Diane is correct. We are probably on the defensive because of past discussions.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Maybe a person is called "legalistic" because they are "legalists". Man-made rules elevated to de facto Scriptural status made the Pharisees of old an example. And Jesus decried them.

But often the epithet "legalism" is given to people who hold different views on standards than we hold. I have been called such because I believe in attending church when they have services! And have been called a compromiser because I wore short-sleeve shirt to preach in at camp, instead of "modest" long-sleeved shirt!

I didn't see anyone call FBC a "legalist". But many who hold the Deut 22:5 = slacks are evil position fall into that camp.

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Originally posted by Barbara R.:
The church I am a member of believes women should wear dresses all day everyday. I have asked them several times to show me in Scripture where this is found, they have yet given me a clear answer. I am confused on this topic, and would love to hear some of your opinions

Greetings Barbara!!
I laughed out loud when I read your post. I visualized the reaction you received from the church when you asked for proof. If you are attending a church that believes that “women should wear dresses all day everyday,” I am honestly surprised that you were not escorted to the door the minute you confronted them on this topic. Dr. Bob said it best:

This is legalism at its worst. If someone wants to follow that, let them. But if they make you feel unspiritual or less than holy because you don't conform, RUN. They have crossed the line.

Originally posted by FBCPastorsWife:
Deuteronomy 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.

The people I fellowship with interpret this as saying, "A woman should not wear the clothes of a man and likewise a man should not wear a woman's garment." Many people will interpret is differently though. From classes that I have studied in, the difference between the garments were simply the division between the legs of the fabric. Meaning a man's garment was divided and the woman's was not. I'm sure many things are taught though and we will never really know till we get to Heaven what the Lord meant by all the Scriptures.

With all due respect, I think you need to study that again. Dr. Bob has a great post concerning the interpretation of this Verse, and the intent. Furthermore, read further into that particular Scriptural Passage. How long are the tassels on your husband’s shawl? How tall is the parapet on your roof?

Don't ever change how you are based on what "man" tells you. Always let the Lord change you from within.

This, however, is EXCELLENT advice.

[Note: I am currently staying in BEAUTIFUL Downtown Chicago, and the hotel in which my co-workers and I are staying (The House of Blues) has a card that reads:

For your reading and spiritual pleasure, the following books are available for use during your stay with us….

Buddhism…………………………………The Dammapada
Christianity………………………………Holy Bible (King James Version)
Confucianism…………………………..The Analects by Confucius
Hinduism………………………………….Bhagardad-Gita
Islam………………………………………. The Koran
Judaism…………………………………….Torah: The Five Books of Moses
Taoism………………………………………Tao te Ching by Lao Tzu

Now that is funny!!!

]

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Barbara R.:
The church I am a member of believes women should wear dresses all day everyday. I have asked them several times to show me in cripture where this is found, they have yet given me a clear answer. I am confused on this topic, and would love to hear some of your opinions

Deceived folks do not want the truth. They simply want their way and that way is conformity.

 

[TaterTot]

I think FBCPastorswife meant no offense. She seems sincere with her beliefs and isnt trying to change us. But, those of us who were privy to those past discussions on this topic should remember that she wasnt, and we dont have ill feelings toward her.

 

[Phillip]

GB, it is actually very interesting that this type of latter-day doctrine seems to stick with the same people. Often people who make up their own doctrine believe and make up a LOT of doctrine.

Doctrines that appear to go together as evidenced on this board:

1 KJVonlyism
2 Dresses only
3 Billy Graham produces bad fruit

and on and on

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Originally posted by TaterTot:
I think FBCPastorswife meant no offense. She seems sincere with her beliefs and isnt trying to change us. But, those of us who were privy to those past discussions on this topic should remember that she wasnt, and we dont have ill feelings toward her.

Not sure if this was directed at me, but if it was - note my comments to her.

 

[TaterTot]

oh, no - not directed at anyone! Honest. It just seemed that FBCPW was feeling a little attacked, and I was just trying to validate her without aggreeing with her stance. And thats the bottom line.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Originally posted by dianetavegia:
I wear dress slacks to church more often than a dress or skirt because I work with the 4 year olds and after years of sitting on the floor or having kids crawl through my legs.......

BTW... if you do a search on dresses only, etc. you'll find dozens of VERY angry/ heated threads where some women called those of us who wear pants sodomites, lesbians, etc. so that's why people tend to be very defensive on this subject.

Diane

Sadly though, the "heat" goes both ways. My wife chose many years ago to not wear trousers. She has never tried to make anyone agree with her, yet she is still attacked as a "legalist" by some. This is a position where liberty is the key. Neither side has any reason to attack the other.

 

[joyfulkeeperathome]

I wear dresses only...mostly. I can do most everything in a dress just fine (including scrubbing my floors and teaching little ones in Children's Church.) I only wear pants when my husband asks me to (usually for 4-wheel riding and snowmachine riding (both of which I have done in a dress, but he prefers me in pants for those situations.

The verse that I found that really convicted me (this was just me, anyone else is welcome to disagree with me, I don't force my opinion on anyone...except my daughter and I don't call it a "doctrine") Anyway, modesty from the New Testament comes from the word "Katastole" which means long flowing garments.....so I try to wear long flowing garments for modesty's sake.

Once again, this is just me...I don't tell anyone else what to wear, that is between them and their husband and God!!!

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Where is that passage joyful?

The only time I can find "modesty" in the NT (KJV) is in 1 Timothy 2v9 and there the Greek word is kosmias which has a basic idea of "harmony" of the inside and outside. The picture being that one's dress reflects an inner harmony.

I am interested in the word katastole and how and where it is used.

<spelling error corrected>

[ November 15, 2004, 06:38 AM: Message edited by: C4K ]

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Two quotes worth noting:

Originally posted by C4K:
Sadly though, the "heat" goes both ways. My wife chose many years ago to not wear trousers. She has never tried to make anyone agree with her, yet she is still attacked as a "legalist" by some. This is a position where liberty is the key. Neither side has any reason to attack the other.

and

Originally posted by joyfulkeeperathome:
The verse that I found that really convicted me (this was just me, anyone else is welcome to disagree with me, I don't force my opinion on anyone...except my daughter and I don't call it a "doctrine") <snip>

The point worth noting here is that both posters note that they do not force their opinion upon anyone. That being the case, I would commend both of you.