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Originally Posted by ColdSilverMoon  Quote:
Originally Posted by Barnpreacher
These are your opinions. Where's the Scripture for it?
| This is the key to this discussion. As if "Sunday dress" weren't subjective enough, where in Scripture do we even see the need for this? I certainly agree that looking ragged is inappropriate for church on the grounds that it is not a good witness, but beyond that there is no absolute standard based on what the Bible tells us. Again, I completely understand the "heart issue," but I don't think nice casual vs. business suit reflects a difference in one's walk with Christ... |
Mason, I concur. Those who hold to a strict view of the RPW should concur also. Scripture does not instruct on a Lord's Day dress code, although neat and appropriate is an expression of character, not legalism. Cultural considerations play a great part in determining what to wear.
Look at James 2:1-13.
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| James 2:1-13 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? 8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
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If an undo emphasis is placed on outward appearance it can morph into favoritism and partiality. The gap between those with means and the poor can sometimes be wide. Paul condemned the Corinthians for allowing this socio-economic divide to manifest itself in abuse of the Lord's Supper. I choose to dress neatly and normative based on what the rest of my church is able to do.
There was a church in Florida that my family and I visited a few years back while on vacation. If I mentioned the name everyone on the PB would recognize it. A member of the pastoral staff was on record about wearing a suit or jacket and tie on the Lord's Day. We were on vacation and only had casual attire, but we still wished to worship on the Lord's Day. We attended this church and stood out like a sore thumb. No one greeted us. No one said hello to us. They were downright unfriendly and rude. Was it because of the dress code (spoken or unspoken)? No. It was an elitist attitude that was prevalent in outward appearance. If we place too much emphasis on the externals they will reflect an imbalance with the internals.
