Modest Apparel

Tuesday with Timothy #16
No, I have not forgotten about the series....

1Timothy 2:9-10  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 

 In like manner  referring back to the men of the church who are to lead in prayer, the women of the church have their own role to perform in public worship. It amazes me that Christianity is the favorite punching bag for women's groups. "Down with patriarchy" and so forth. It is Christianity that views women as made in the image of God. It is Christianity that has lifted women up through the centuries. It is Christianity that sees women as God's child in Christ, not as property. It is Christianity that sees dignity in all human beings, not just men and not just the powerful. It is absurd to even have to defend this proposition. Are there, I believe the technical term being kunckleheads, in Christianity who wrest the scripture to take advantage of women? Certainly. Does that destroy the truth of God's created order and what the text actually says? Absolutely not. In fact, it is the women's liberation movement that has done far more harm than good.  As G.K. Chesterton said “Ten thousand women marched through the streets shouting, 'We will not be dictated to,' and went off and became stenographers.” His point is not that women are not to labor, but that the heart of the issue of feminism is rebellion against God's order and rebellion against God's order will not put you in a better position in the end. The feminist movement is ultimately self destructive. The heart of the women's liberation movement was to liberate women from who God had made them to be, and when you leave God's created order, you will not find peace. Douglas Wilson well said " We started by employing feminism to turn first rate women into third rate men, and recently we have found ourselves turning third rate women into fifth rate men. And we are rapidly approaching the nadir, where a woman’s highest achievement will be considered as matching the worst behavior of male slobs everywhere."

Women are to adorn themselves in modest apparel. What is modest? Modest is that which is becoming a Christian lady. I love the Scripture, it is amazing to me how wonderful God's Word is in this general statement. The legalist in all of us would want Paul to say "Here is what you are supposed to wear, put it on." That would be easy. That is what you find in Islam and why you also see people stuck in a culture that ended hundreds of years ago. God's Word gives us the principle for godly dress and then the child of God must take these principles and apply them to the culture they live in and the day they live. Morality does not change, and the culture does not dictate right and wrong, but modesty is not stuck in a particular year and a particular culture. Every generation, every culture, has their standard of fashion, and in every culture, woman can dress in modest apparel without wearing a uniform. 

With shamefacedness and sobriety, or with a modest and serious minded heart, she is to dress herself for public worship. Not with broided hair, or decked with jewels but come with good works, which is becoming a godly woman. What is the principle? Is it wrong for a woman to fix her hair and to have jewelry?No - the prohibition is outlining modest apparel for us, not making a list. Being "Shamefaced and sober" is an attitude of the heart. It is the idea of bashfulness, or a regard for others. It is a self control that willingly does not want to be seen and it is with that attitude, the female members of the congregation should come to God's house. They are to come, not wanting to draw attention to themselves, and draw attention to their outward appearance, but to come in a manner of good works that Christ may be seen. It is the heart informing the closet. The attitude informs the dress.

One error is to dress in such a way as to bring attention to yourself, but the other error will have a rule for what is acceptable dress and as long as you meet that mark, there is no need to think about it anymore. Both errors are wrong because neither one gives any prayerful consideration to God's Word. If the heart does not inform the closet, then you will have women wearing modest apparel while acting immodestly. That is just as wrong as wearing immodest clothing. Women in the church are encouraged to have a meek and quiet spirit and dress accordingly.