Biblical Inspiration to Dress More Modestly

[Green Cochoa]

Originally Posted By: Green Cochoa

But the Bible is clear that a woman should not wear that which pertains to a man and vice versa. Unfortunately, the world's custom has blurred the gender lines and made it "cultural" for any woman to wear men's clothing. (Most men still do not run around in clearly feminine attire, but the reverse is hardly true nowadays.) Jeans were initially men's clothing, and they are still more suitable to the kind of work more often associated with men.

Women have worn trousers for just as long (or longer) than men. This is an artifact made ca 470 BC (as determined by the British Museum), and depicts a woman wearing garments including trousers. It can be seen at the British Museum Upper floor, room 69: Greek and Roman life, catalog vase B 673.

That sure looks like a man to me. Note the square cut of the chin and the shoulders that are broader than the hips. Note also the relative length of arms and legs compared to the torso. Even the "long hair" which some might see in that depiction seems unnatural for a woman, being rather unkempt and not hanging/resting upon the shoulders. It almost has an appearance of being scratched in, or having darkened from some other hue in the original painting. There is an outline of hair that would be much closer to a man's style of hair that is clearly visible. Nor is there any indication whatsoever of curves in the painting to accommodate a woman's bust.

Of course, I expect you and others will imagine things differently. Regardless of a single painting, with whatever portrayal it may make at whatever period of time, God's Word is clear: Women should not wear that which pertains to a man. If a woman has done so, or if the culture permits any woman to wear anything a man may wear (suit and tie anyone?), that does not mean God also permits such.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

you're entitled to your [unprofessional] opinion, and the British Museum is entitled to its [professional] opinion... :)

[Green Cochoa]

you're entitled to your [unprofessional] opinion, and the British Museum is entitled to its [professional] opinion...

That's exactly right. Thank you! In my "unprofessional" opinion, dinosaur fossils are less than 6000 years old. In the museum's "professional" opinion, they are millions of years old. But who's right?

Again, it's not the world that's "right" when God has given us the truth and the world defies it--which sort of goes back to the OP.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

sorry, greenco, I don't fish for red herring...

[CoAspen]

[Tom Wetmore]

Opinion (of the unprofessional variety at least), that conflated mental realm where one believes they are right in their own mind…

[Gregory Matthews]

A lot of red herring is dangled for bait in this forum.

[Gail]

Besides the red herrings, I am enjoying the conversation. Thanks, Deb, for mentioning that Jesus wore a robe, which incidentally is the French word for a dress.

How can we be so focused on the external when it's the heart that God sees and knows? I guess it is because of human nature. That makes me think the issue is more about "me" than "them".

I'm thinking that we should not be surprised to find all kinds in the world.

[phkrause]

Excellent, excellent post Gail.