Sunday Best Or Casual - Page 2

Poimen · #41 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:11 PM

No matter what we may think is fine or acceptable for worship I hope we would all agree that it is wrong to say that 'it doesn't matter' what you wear to worship. Such an attitude or statement reveals a flippant view of worship that does not accord with the scripture (Hebrews 12:28-29) regardless of whether the one who makes that statement is wearing a suit and tie or the poorest rags.

JBaldwin · #42 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

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...

I agree. I can't imagine that in places in the world where people own nothing but one item of clothing (and there are many like that), that God is going to judge them because they didn't go get a suit and tie to wear to worhsip on the Lord's Day.

Joshua · #43 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poimen

No matter what we may think is fine or acceptable for worship I hope we would all agree that it is wrong to say that 'it doesn't matter' what you wear to worship. Such an attitude or statement reveals a flippant view of worship that does not accord with the scripture (Hebrews 12:28-29) regardless of whether the one who makes that statement is wearing a suit and tie or the poorest rags.

Oh GREAT!

Thank you, Rev. Kok for totally killing the thread by resolving it for everybody.

It was sooooooooooooooooo much fun continuing to talk past one another. Sheesh. Rev. Killjoy.

*huff*

JBaldwin · #44 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshua

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poimen

No matter what we may think is fine or acceptable for worship I hope we would all agree that it is wrong to say that 'it doesn't matter' what you wear to worship. Such an attitude or statement reveals a flippant view of worship that does not accord with the scripture (Hebrews 12:28-29) regardless of whether the one who makes that statement is wearing a suit and tie or the poorest rags.

Oh GREAT!

Thank you, Rev. Kok for totally killing the thread by resolving it for everybody.

It was sooooooooooooooooo much fun continuing to talk past one another. Sheesh. Rev. Killjoy.

*huff*

North Jersey Baptist · #45 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

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.

FenderPriest · #46 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by servantofmosthigh

Should we dress in our Sunday Best Or in just casual attire for worship service.

1. When you worship in God's house on Sunday mornings, do you wear the very best you have for Him like you were attending a wedding, or do you dress casual and comfortable?

I wear the same thing every day of the week - Sunday through Saturday. Jeans, collared shirt, brown leather shoes, wedding band, and imputed righteousness!

Daniel Ritchie · #47 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 03:57 PM

So do you wear and suit and tie for private devotions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coram Deo

What would you wear if you were invited to the King/Queen Throne Room of England? Or What would you wear if you were invited to Meet the President of the United States? Your very best formal clothing! Now what should you wear to worship and meet with the King of the Universe? It should be your finest and Best Formal Clothing... We are after all entering into the Throne Room of God.

So I wear my best suit and tie..

My child and future children will do the same.. They should not be allowed to dress casual or in any way they want to come to the Throne of Grace... Education of this will start at the youngest age so there will be less of a problem with this when they get older... "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart".

Quote:

Originally Posted by servantofmosthigh

Should we dress in our Sunday Best Or in just casual attire for worship service.

1. When you worship in God's house on Sunday mornings, do you wear the very best you have for Him like you were attending a wedding, or do you dress casual and comfortable?

2. Those with adolescents: do you allow your teenagers to worship God in jeans, t-shirts, and flip-flops? Or do you instruct them to dress in their very best?

Zenas · #48 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 04:08 PM

I wear a suit to set an example as a church officer, not so much that everyone needs to wear suits, but that we all need to look presentable when going to worship because it's not something to be taken lightly. If I were to appear before a judge, or royalty, or anyone else in a high position, though they be but earthly rulers, I would take it very serious what I wore out of respect to them. That much more is true when worshiping the Sovereign. Even if looking presentable is washing the one set of clothes that you have, then obviously that's what I would think one would do.

Presbyterian Deacon · #49 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 04:13 PM

As the old saying goes..."He changed my heart, not my shirt."

Matthew Henry said, "God looks not on outward pomp, but he looks at the tokens and expressions of inward reverence for a divine institution..."

Sometimes the "token and expression of inward reverence" may be seen in a suit and tie, other times not. IMO, there is no place or need for legalistic dress codes in God's church.

We are nowhere commanded to formal dress as a condition for biblical worship.

ModernPuritan? · #50 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 04:14 PM

I operate under the assumption that God cares about the heart- your heart. Personally, I found i physically feel better about studying Gods word when im comfortable. that means for me, No tie, no dress slacks, and comfortable shoes (or no shoes at home :P ) course if i get to comfortable- i sleep. so for me there is a line, I know that line, I see nothing wrong with being comfortable in church.

a Bad heart can lead to appropriate and inappropriate dress (immodest) but one can not have a right heart and wear immodest clothing.

So i would contend that, the strictly biblical answer (devoid of modern culture) is that oone should only dress modestly.

when we bring culture in- we have various veiws about "what is modest" some assume that any modern clothing not found in the victorian era is immodest. thats a whole different debate. but as far as what is relavent to this debate consider this

(this maybe where my first paragraph falls apart..) Yes I feel comfortable in jeans and shirts/polos ... I would excuse a man wearing jeans and a polo to church. but would i would support his choice as long as his heart was right. but if that guy showed up to a wedding?????

so throw out what man would think at weddings or???

Daniel Ritchie · #51 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presbyterian Deacon

As the old saying goes..."He changed my heart, not my shirt."

Matthew Henry said, "God looks not on outward pomp, but he looks at the tokens and expressions of inward reverence for a divine institution..."

Sometimes the "token and expression of inward reverence" may be seen in a suit and tie, other times not. IMO, there is no place or need for legalistic dress codes in God's church.

We are nowhere commanded to formal dress as a condition for biblical worship.

Nowhere. The insistence upon it is inconsistent with the RPW.

Scott Shahan · #52 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 04:37 PM

Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. you can look pretty on the outside with your new suit on but how do you look on the inside, is the real question.

etexas · #53 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 04:40 PM

Here in Texas....it is a weather issue (in summer)

Look, In cooler weather I wear a suit or slacks and jacket, sometimes when it is hot, I wear some nice jeans, and a short sleeve button up shirt. I think as long as modesty and having a right heart are there, I "reckon" that is what is important.

raekwon · #54 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 05:17 PM

Since the Bible doesn't really speak to the issue, I'd think that the same "rules" for dress in "everyday life" would apply to corporate worship. Rules like . . .

1) Does it fit?
2) Is it clean?
3) Is it modest . . .
- in the "doesn't show too much skin" sense?
- in the "doesn't show off your wealth" sense?
4) Is it culturally appropriate?
- In other words, what's the general tone of attire in the church? If everyone else is in a suit, then err toward the side of formal dress. If everyone else is in jeans and tees, then err toward the side of more "casual" dress.

Thoughts?

etexas · #55 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raekwon

Since the Bible doesn't really speak to the issue, I'd think that the same "rules" for dress in "everyday life" would apply to corporate worship. Rules like . . .

1) Does it fit?
2) Is it clean?
3) Is it modest . . .
- in the "doesn't show too much skin" sense?
- in the "doesn't show off your wealth" sense?
4) Is it culturally appropriate?
- In other words, what's the general tone of attire in the church? If everyone else is in a suit, then err toward the side of formal dress. If everyone else is in jeans and tees, then err toward the side of more "casual" dress.

Thoughts?

Interesting! You know, if you were at Worship in a less than affluent area and men were wearing their best khakis or jeans, I think we would have to think about how it would look showing up in a 2000 dollar Armani suit. To a degree despite the fact that this might be your "finest" you would have to consider that you might be bringing shame to your Brethren.

Good point Rae.

21st Century Calvinist · #56 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 05:29 PM

I take the view that if it is decent and modest then it is probably appropriate to wear to worship. So it probably is not appropriate that I wear my U2 T shirt or Scotland rugby shirt!
I used to do the whole Sunday best thing. Then I started being more casual for evening worship. Now, I tend to "business casual."
I have been in worship services where everyone is dressed like they are at a funeral. What kind of image does that project to the surrounding community or the visitor who drops by the worship service?

victorbravo · #57 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 05:44 PM

I'm surprised nobody has brought up James 2:2-4:

Quote:

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

North Jersey Baptist · #58 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorbravo

I'm surprised nobody has brought up James 2:2-4:

Quote:

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Vic,

I did: HERE

Joshua · #59 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North Jersey Baptist