“Anne, does Deuteronomy 22:5 mean that women should not wear pants? I mentioned this to a few friends, and they say that no, it just means we shouldn’t look like a man. My pastor’s wife is a very, very sweet woman that I look up to, and she says the same.
However, the more I read the verse, the more confused I become. At the same time, I am not a skirt or dress person. We have a small farm, and I am always in sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt or t-shirt. What is your view on the subject?”
First, let’s look at Deuteronomy 22:5 —
“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for YHWH your God detests anyone who does this.”
Obviously, the argument against pants is that pants are “men’s clothing” and that skirts are “women’s clothing.” The opposing argument is that when these words of Moses were penned, both men and women wore robes. The difference was in the cut, the style, the fabric, and even the accessories.
So by simply reading the passage and using common sense, I think that what God detests is when I try to look like a man, or when a man tries to look like a woman.
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres is a known lesbian, and I’ve been casually paying attention to her for the past few years.You can see that she intentionally makes a statement, by her clothing and hair style alone, that she is the same as a man. I think she would be proud of wearing “men’s clothing.”
Now humor me for a moment, and see a picture of Ellen with her “wife,” Portia de Rossi. Do you see how feminine this other woman dresses?
This bothers me! This honestly makes me want to go put a skirt on and never, ever wear pants again!
I told this to my husband, and he said, “Why?”
“Because I want to make a statement with my life, too! I want to make a statement as loud as Ellen’s, that my life belongs to God and that I am a woman, just as He created me to be.”
He pointed out to me that I can make a statement like that even with pants on.
He’s right, but depending on where I live and the culture surrounding me determines how easy that will be. You see, pants aren’t inherently evil, in and of themselves. They can’t be, if for no other reason than the fact that men in Moses’ time wore “skirts” (robes).
Obviously, this is a cultural issue. I don’t mean that God’s Word is only applicable in certain cultures. No, God’s commands are written for us to obey! I simply mean that we are to appear feminine in OUR culture, not in Moses’ culture or in early 1900’s culture. How to appear feminine might even vary from country to country, from city to city, or from church to church.
Am I obviously a woman, in my circumstances and surroundings, to those who are looking at me?
If I had a farm, with barns and muck and mud, I don’t see how it’s wrong to wear pants. If I’m playing with children on a cold, Minnesota basement floor, I don’t see how it’s wrong to wear pants — as long as I look distinctly different from my husband and other men. Just from looking at the pictures of Ellen and her “wife,” I can get ideas of ways I can wear distinctly women’s clothing, even pants, by just being sure that the cut is feminine, the details and colors and jewelry are feminine, my hair style and coverings are feminine, etc.
Sometimes pants are even better than skirts.
- Work sometimes requires that we “gird up our loins,” so sometimes when I’m working, pants are better than skirts.
As you can see from the woman in this photo, she’s got an awful lot to carry. She’s got no hands left to hold all her skirts, so she just tucks her skirts up into her belt and takes off on her way. Here in America, we’d just trade in the skirts for a soft pair of blue jeans, so we could get our work done with nothing in the way.
- Sometimes it’s easier to obey God’s command to cover ourselves when we wear pants. In Exodus 28:42-43, God told Aaron and his sons to wear pants under their priestly robes so that when they ministered at the tabernacle and went up the steps of the altar, they wouldn’t uncover their nakedness and “incur guilt.” Even if we don’t choose to wear pants, it might be wise to slip a pair of pants or leggings under our skirts, so that we are covered.
- We need to be sure that our skirts don’t prevent us from acting in love toward our sisters in Christ. We are not to look down on others over “disputable matters” (Romans 14). Dressing in a way that makes me look masculine, because I don’t want to act like a woman created by God — that is NOT a disputable matter. However, the particular method I use to look feminine — that IS a disputable matter. Getting mistaken by a stranger for a man, or worse, being mistaken as a lesbian, would be a terrible insult to God. However, I sometimes get the feeling that I am being “sized up” by other Christian women, to determine how “spiritual” I am by how I am dressed, no matter how distinctly feminine I may be in my clothing.
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4).
- Finally, sometimes our husbands have opinions of how we can look most feminine, beautiful, modest, or appropriate. I firmly believe that my husband’s opinion should have first place in my clothing decisions!
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior” (Ephesians 5:22-23).
I don’t say this lightly! A few years ago, an acquaintance was asking a group of her friends about how she short she should cut her hair. Her husband overheard the discussion and came over. He lovingly took her hair in his hands and said that he loved her hair and wished she would grow it long for him. She mocked him in front of all of us and scheduled an appointment to get it cut short. I’m sad to say that they are divorced today, and I can’t help but wonder if her independent and disrespectful attitude was the root of their problems.
Isn’t this the very attitude that is at the root of wanting to dress like a man? It hurts our pride to “submit” to any man. It hurts our pride to admit that we aren’t as strong as men, that we can’t do anything they can do (and better!), that we shouldn’t be allowed to be pastors or deacons or speak and teach in the church — and on and on and on. We uncover our heads in the church, cut our hair short like men, and wear clothes that show our equality.
And with our rebellious attitudes, we tear up our marriages, our homes, our churches, and our societies. God’s answer? He “detests” this.
My plea to the Christian women reading this is that their clothing, hair, make up, and outward appearance would make it obvious that they serve a Living God.
“Do everything without complaining [about having to dress like a woman] or arguing [with Christian sisters about their clothing choices], so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:14-15).
Well done, Anne. 🙂
Yes, well done, Anne. For a short time several years back I considered wearing only skirts, but both of us–my husband and me–decided against it. Thanks so much for fleshing out our thoughts with more scripture and clear thinking!
I enjoyed your article, Anne and heartily agree with you. Now that said, I find myself wearing skirts more often than pants. 🙂 Although, this morning finds me in my jeans. ;0 Love you!!!
Hi, Anne! My girls, ages 13 year old twins, an 11 year old, and a 10 year old, and I wear dresses and skirts almost exclusively. My problem isn’t with pants but with how most pants, even loose cut, are revealing. For us, it’s a matter of modesty.I also realize dresses only doesn’t make you modest. We try our best to look nice while being modest. It can be a challenge in our society. I’ve found that even on our farm, we can do most things in skirts. (Our exception is blackberry picking!) This is what works for us and is a change we have been working on for the last couple of years. Great post. Thanks!
I agree Missy….modesty is the key. I believe body size will make a difference as well…..is what we are wearing drawing attention to specific areas of the body? Some people can wear pants and some people can’t due to body parts (or even certain shirt styles) and be modest. I don’t know if I am expressing myself clearly but wanted to say that I agree with Anne and yourself on the modesty issue.
I agree, too, with the modesty/fit issue with pants. When one of my sons at 7 asked, “why do girls bums wiggle when they wear jeans…?” It makes you think. My hubby doesn’t like me to wear jeans because he likes my shape and doesn’t want others to notice. I never ever want to be guilty of causing anyone else to stumble by what I am wearing. I realize a man is responsible for his own actions/ and thoughts. Of course we are realistic, too, during winter we all wear snow pants and a pair of jeans with a skirt or looong shirt when riding horses. a skirt can be very immodest when riding horses…;0) Issues spring up for reasons, too. The old saying, “who wears the pants in this family…”, can have spiritual implications, too. Christian Feminism can be deeply imbedded in our thought processes. It can be a matter of the heart.
Blessings!
Oh, so true, Julie… It IS a matter of the heart! Our heart should never want us to cause others to sin, to lust, etc.
I personally am a fan of those really long shirts worn over pants. Just a personal preference, not one I have always been able to do, but it’s pretty, feminine, and takes care of some of the problems you mentioned. Of course, some skirts can be just as revealing. Again — it’s the heart, driven by our love for others.
Great points, everyone! Keep it up! 🙂
Hi Anne,
On a quick note about wearing things under skirts. It is cold nine months out of the year where I live….I’ve got long johns/leggings under our skirts most of the time!
I love long skirts, too. To me they are somewhat old fashioned and we love the old and practical things. Our house is even OLD!
Blessings to you,
Julie
Well said- I am certain that your post will be a blessing to many ladies, Anne. Thank you for sharing the “hard stuff” 🙂
Anne,
Excellent! I wanted to make a quick comment about hair length. Without ever really thinking about it much, I have had my hair long the majority of my life. There are occasions when I feel compelled to shorten it, usually after I have had a baby and it seems my hair is always bound up in a ponytail. After my 8th baby, the urge to shorten it arose. I had quite a few discussions with my husband about it and it finally came down to him saying, “Do what you want.” I had it cut , professionally, about as short as Ellens. It felt good having that weight off my head and the ease of care for my hair was wonderful! BUT. My husband hated it.
So the journey to growing it back out began. After our 10th baby was born, I once again desired freedom from long hair. This time, I handed the scissors to my husband and asked him to cut as much off as he could stand. He did so and I was pleased with the results. This has been going on since then. He loves long hair and it pangs him to cut it, but he does realize the upkeep is a nusiance for me and he approves the length. Therefore, I get relief and I still am under my husband’s authority.
Thank you for an excellent article and a resolution to my dilemma!
Love, Angel
Shalom Anne,
Very well said! I agree wholeheartedly! I personally feel more feminine in skirts and started wearing it almost exclusively since earlier this year. But it is as you said not commanded by scripture. Did you know that that verse about woman wearing that which belongs to a man actually refer to weaponry. I found it very interestng. I do however also agree that wearing short hair and pants can be a rebellion against the authority of the husband. You explained it well. Modesty is also a very important point. We should all do as we are lead to do and not judge others who do or dress differently. Well done!
Elsa, I had heard about Deut. 22:5 referring to weaponry, but I couldn’t find it recently. If you ever remember where you heard that, I think we’d be “all ears”! 🙂 Thank you!
Actually, if you study the Bible in its true language, and from the point of the Jew, as Jesus was, then it is all very clear. Women are not to wear the clothes that men wear in battle. That is what is meant by “dressing like a man.” We are not to wear armor, carry swords, etc….Women have a different role in life than men do and are not to be warriors. Actually, women wore pants under their garments when men did not. Both genders wore tunics. We are to behave like the Godly women we are and wear appropriate clothing, setting examples for other women and young girls. Men only started wearing pants because they were easier to work in.
I’m curious as to your source of information that women of the people of God wore pants under their skirts.
And: that men didn’t.
Hi, Robbie, thank you for being patient with my slowness to reply. 🙂 I don’t know for sure that women did, and that men didn’t. I just know that in Exodus 28:42-43, God told Aaron and his sons to wear pants under their priestly robes so that when they ministered at the tabernacle and went up the steps of the altar, they wouldn’t uncover their nakedness and “incur guilt.” I am only saying that God seems to look poorly on the revealing of nakedness.
Very well said, Anne! Once again, enjoy reading what you write.
I have struggled with this issue as well, wanting to wear skirts, because they make me feel feminine, but not sure how to do so in such a cold climate as Alaska! 🙂 When we were in Kenya, I did wear skirts a LOT more, both for comfort in the heat, as well as being culturally sensitive. We now wear skirts exclusively to church when most others don’t (again, its cold up here!), but for me it is about making THAT day, the LORD’s Day, separate.
I like the reminder that it is about the attitude, of not being male, and not necessarily the actual “skirt” because in Kenya, on the coast, the men wear “kikoys” which are a wrap skirt. Its HOT there, and its a different religion there as well. So, for me the “skirt or not” is less the issue as is the heart attitude.
Thanks for writing about this issue.
Oh my goodness! I was so afraid this would be one of “those” articles that I’ve read on other sites when I first read the title. Thank you for this! I am going to save it so I have an adequate but gentle answer if the “skirt” issue ever comes up for me again. I am one of those women who looks better and feels more modest in pants than skirts (broad shoulders – skirts and dresses, unless they hug, can make me look blocky and figureless). One thing I do with my daughters from time to time and happens to be in fashion right now (I think) , is to have them put on a summery dress over a T-shirt and jeans. It ensures that no tummy will show when they raise their hands and they are definitely feminine looking. Layering for modesty. =0)
Anne, thank you for this article. I think being feminine is what the Scripture intents as you said. But for the Christian culture, I think the greater issue is modesty. There are women at our church and other churches who faithfully wear skirts or dresses, but they are often either too tight or too short. Teen girls and women both wear tops in layers for “modesty” but when the top is skin tight, the modesty is lost. We have two sons who are young men now and we’ve had that discussion about how much of a distraction it is during worship service. I have seen them intentionally turn away, not to be disrespectful, but to not have them in their line of sight. Yes men are responsible for what they think and how they react, but as women we should not be a stumbling block to our brothers in Christ.
Since most of her friends dress in this manner, our daughter struggles with finding clothing that is modest but attractive. The best we have been able to do is find clothes that are 2 sizes larger than her actual size just so the clothes aren’t so tight. It would be helpful if someone has found a store or website where you can find modest but fashionable/attractive clothing. We make our own skirts, which helps. Any ideas? We want to honor God.
Ruth, I agree that maybe the issue is modesty after all. I didn’t catch this when I wrote my blog post, but after watching the comments come in all day today, this is certainly a theme!
Hmmm… I’m going to have to think and pray — and dig into more Scripture. It seems that the Bible is very clear about not wearing men’s clothing, but the modesty issue seems a little more vague. I see that we are to be modest, but I don’t see (at first glance) where the Bible tells us HOW. But you know, the Bible always does tell us answers; I just need to look! 🙂
Thank you,
~Anne
I was able to purchase nice culotte slips for my daughter from http://www.myculottes.com/index.html. (No, I am NOT an affiliate!) They do nice custom work. They make culotte skirts for women and girls, too.
I am planning on dusting off my sewing machine and resuming teaching the kids how to sew. Most of the clothing in stores are designed to show off a girl’s body. I struggle to find modest clothing for my daughter. I feel it’s time for me to increase my sewing skills and start making clothing for my kids — and teach them a valuable life skill in the process. (Yes, the boys have enjoyed their time on the sewing machine, too. They are looking forward to completing their first projects from a boy-friendly sewing book that I found.)
Thank you Julia for the website. My daughter is coming home from college at the end of the week and we will look at it together. It’s so wonderful to see so many women with a desire to please God above all! :o)
Bravo! With kindness you have met this topic with the most reasonable explanation why Christian women wear pants that I think I’ve ever heard.
I didn’t actually write this at 1am, it’s only 9pm.
Kaari,
It looks like the time zone for this blog is Eastern time (United States). I’m guessing you live on the West Coast…
Thank you so much for this post! My only daughter just turned 11, and is developing quite a figure. I have been training her in modesty from the very beginning, and I have been pondering and praying about the “dresses only” issue. But since I don’t wear dresses anymore because of my weight, it would be hypocritical and a poor example for me to require HER to wear dresses.
Thank you for assuring me that we are “free indeed” in Christ! And thanks to all of you other commenters for sharing; I learn something from each of you.
I started wearing mostly skirts/dresses years ago. I do wear sweats or longer athletic shorts inside to exercise or to bed. The Father led me to this upon hearing a broadcast by Elisabeth Elliot discussing this issue (pants vs. skirts/dresses). She told about a group of men and women who were shown a woman wearing a skirt/jacket outfit. Then the slide was turned off and they were asked where they looked first…then answer? The face. Then they were shown a picture of a woman wearing pants. The same question was asked. Then answer? From both men and women: the crotch. I asked my husband if that was true…and he said yes. So….needless to say when I go out especially, I wear skirts/dresses. At home I mostly do too to be an example for my girls. Now, I would wear pants outside depending upon what I was doing, but for me there is really nothing I need to do that requires pants so…that’s my 2 cents worth. (c:
I wear pants because I feel safer in them. My cousins got a hold of me when I was 5 and because I was wearing a dress it was easy for them to pull it up over my head. I also never had children because I did not want any and working outside the home in a teaching career in public school left me no energy to do any justice to raising a family. Yes, I have struggled over my choices because they did not line up with what people said was the
“word of God”. But found out after a one on one encounter with God, that He made me different for His purposes. He does not make cookie cutter christians.
I also started wearing long skirts due to that same article! There was another article written by an older gentlemen about women loving their brothers by dressing modestly. He also gave a challenge to see if gentlemenliness was alive and well by putting on a long skirt. Which I was amazed to see was true! I wear pants or sweats under skirts for warmth, possble winds, and safety.
Hello to my dear friend Anne,
I’m sorry I didn’t get to this earlier. I have a little story to tell you on th is subject.
Back in late 1984, when I was Saved, my brother-in-law had convinced me that a woman should wear dresses or skirts all the time for exactly the reasons you stated. For two years I wore dresses, skirts, tights and ladies shoes ( no tennis shoes). I wanted to be sure I looked like a lady and followed God’s word.
Then one day I was reading the Bible on my own, and prayed to be able to know what God wanted me to learn as I read.
I read and reread the passages to fully understand and suddenly I felt I knew what it really meant. If you notice the passages around the verses concerning women’s clothes, are all about Sodom and Gomorrah. God had sent His angels to tell Lot and his family to leave the cities, because of the “wickedness” that was taking place there. The wickednesswas men laying with men and women laying with women. If you read the passage in the KJV it says “A woman shall not ut on that of a man” nor shall “a man put on a womans clothes”.
I may be a little blunt here but I believe that this is saying that a woman shall not use (fake man parts) things with another woman. I also believe that this says that the transvestites and drag queens are wrong in the ways that they dress as a woman to attract other men.
Anyone who knows me knows that I believe that homosexuality is completly wrong and that it is an abomination in the eyes of God. I think you and I have spoken about this before too.
This is very hard for me to say because there are two nieces and a nephew in my family who claim to be gay. I now have a granddaughter who (although no one except me and John as said it) is showing strong signs of becoming a lesbian. She wraps and binds her chest, wears baggy clothes, cuts her hair very short, and says she hates boys. She is thriteen years old and should be noticing boys, not pushing them away.
This hurts my heart so much because I know that they are all hurting God’s heart too.
After I felt I had learned all of this through prayer and reading, I spoke to my Brother -n law about it. For the longest time he said I was backsliding because I began wearing pants again, especially in the winters, and when working outside. He later changed his mind when he spoke to his pastor about it.
Yes, Anne, I believe you are on the right track here. The clothes don’t really make a difference, it is how you wear the clothes and how you present yourself that makes the difference.
I hope I have not offended any of your readers, but you also know that I am a bit outspoken.
Loads of Love to all the Elliotts,
Darlene
P.S. Please tell Kaitlyn I have her purse finished I just need to get to the post office to send it.
Love,
D.
Thanks anne. I think it depends on how u wear it. And it as a person, i’m more free in pants
I have agonised about this for many years. I work in an office and for many months I was the only woman wearing a skirt. At 34 I had never owned any jeans or pants and never really had a desire to do so. I started to feel like the odd one out being the only woman in a skirt and it started to trouble me. I prayed for guidance and I got a strong feeling that it was how you lead your life and served God that really mattered. You could dress modestly in pants and could equally dress immodestly in a short or tight fitting skirt.
Just before my 35th birthday I bought a pair of well cut black pants for work. My colleagues were shocked to see me in pants for the first time. I now have 3 pairs and wear them 3 or 4 times a week. I also have several pairs or well cut more casual pants for wearing around the house. Now that I have got use to wearing pants I find them really comfortable and feel no guilt in being seen in them.
From reading the Scriptures, I have concluded two things: (1) Women’s clothing should be clearly separate from men’s, i.e. feminine v. masculine, and (2) Women’s clothing should be modest. It’s definitely easier to differentiate men and women when the former wear pants and the latter skirts, though there are masculine pants and feminine pants. So, for #2, I asked my husband, “What kind of pants are modest for a woman to wear?” His answer was immediate, and it surprised me – “There are NO modest pants for women” – simply because well-fitting pants of any type will define and emphasize a woman’s shape in a way that can be sensually appealing and tempting for a man, as opposed to a more modest covering by a non-form-fitting skirt. That surprised me! But it totally made sense when I thought about it. It kind of goes along with the head-covering issue – a woman’s most sensual aspects (her hair, her figure, her sexuality) should be veiled in public so that they can be enjoyed privately by her husband at home, and not be exhibited publicly to be a temptation to other men. After hearing that, as well as reading the “She Wears Skirts” series over at Raising Arrows and The Modest Mom blogs, I decided to go all-skirts – and it’s been so much fun! No regrets at all – and this is from someone who NEVER wore skirts except sometimes to church. I’m really enjoying feeling and looking more feminine and more modest.
It’s true that the Bible doesn’t say “women must only wear skirts,” but it does command both femininity and modesty – and each woman must take those two factors into consideration when considering her mode of dress.
I think I agree. It’s been the culture and my own insecurities at standing out that have always caused me to regress to pants again. I do feel best in long skirts and my husband has said if I would ALWAYS wear skirts it would be perfect. I guess it’s a no brainer for me now. It seems too that when I start to justify my decisions, I am already ‘off’. I must please Yah alone. Not my self.
Without hijacking your OP, I made my first set of tzitzit last night. I tried to tie them to my jeans and put on a long sleeve tee, which I never realized how formfitting it was, but I could not feel ‘ok’ until I put on a loose skirt and more feminine (and loose fitting) shirt. With tzitzit attached, I had a sense of relief. What this all is is SO new to me (as we are new to Torah as well) I just feel like I am pleasing Abba like this. That’s all I need to know. Walking this out is between us and our Abba. One day we won’t look through this glass darkly, but will be face to face. Then we will know HIM as he is.
Tammy, what you’ve said here is exactly what my experience over the past couple years has been! So glad to know I’m not the only one.
I’m not trying to be antagonistic, but I’m a little confused about the Ellen/Portia example used here. You used Ellen as an example of a woman trying to look like a man, and how that’s shameful. Then, you praised how much more feminine Portia dresses, and said you want to put a skirt on and never take it off. However, Portia is still a lesbian.
Do you think the fact that Portia DeRossi dresses in traditionally feminine clothing makes her more feminine than Ellen, or do you think they are equally broken in their femininity due to their sexual orientation? Does one of them glorify God more than the other? I know my question is a bit of a rabbit trail, but I just found it an odd example to use.
Madison, I appreciate how you worded this. You have a point! No, I am certainly not meaning to praise Portia DeRossi, for her actions are just as much rebellion as Ellen’s.
I’m struggling a little with how to word this, so feel free to write back. 🙂 But in my mind, this lesbian couple is taking God’s standard in marriage of a man and a woman, and mocking it with a woman and a woman — but still *dressing* like a man and a woman. Ellen just chooses to play the man’s role, while Portia chooses to play the woman’s role.
So then, in my reasoning, I want to be sure that I always choose the *woman’s* role, making it obvious by my clothing choices. Even if I wear pants, I want to be obviously a woman.
I hope this makes sense. Again, thank you, and feel free to continue this discussion!
Confusing style differences with sex differences is an error still embraced by most. A skirt is not female in the same sense as a bra. Skirts are female only by association, bras by anatomy. In Luke 7 Christ commended the Roman centurion for having the greatest faith, no question those men wore skirts. Do you think Christ didn’t understand Deuteronomy 22:5? Any “C” grade lawyer, if penning that verse, would have stated trousers for men skirts for women, were that the INTENTION! Also, facial hair is the male garment, NOT pants. Pants and skirts are for different activities, not for different sexes! Horseback riding put men into pants, whereas factory work in World War 2 sent women into pants. Honestly, if some of the people I’ve read comments by in this thread knew as much about the hydrologic cycle as they do about attire, they wouldn’t know that the two major oceans have anything to do with rain. Before deciding the Bible means thus and such on gender and clothing, check into your own mentality! It has been heavily influenced by historical social forces that transpired way after Revelation was penned. The idea that men should wear plain, drab, boring, unadorned clothes comes from Puritanism (anything other than black, brown or gray is of the devil) and The Great Mscculine Renunciation caused by the Reign of Terror during the awful French Revolution, during which 330,000 people were beheaded by Madame Guillotine. The French equated fancy clothes on men (the aristocracy) with political oppression—not with womanliness; and the nobles could afford the fanciest clothes. Our Founding Fathers wore pigtails and powdered wigs! As long as a man is presenting as a man, he can literally wear anything without limitations—except a bra! Christian men in medieval times wore frilly pleated neck “ruffs” and later, lace “jabots,” a vague sort of necktie also worn by women, as was the ruff! Men had facial hair, which was more than sufficient for differentiation! Please reason past mass hypnosis before reaching the dogma that God demands males to dress like undertakers!
Comment from “Clare” seen at another site—
This is all just daft.
As if women had been wearing skirts for millennia for any loftier reason than “It’s what all the other women are wearing”!
And, as if they didn’t wear trousers for any loftier reason than “Other women don’t wear them!”
Men wore flowing garb for ages too. Did they need to justify their decision to wear more practical clothes? Look what St Joseph wore to do his carpentry!
“Our Founding Fathers wore pigtails and powdered wigs! As long as a man is presenting as a man, he can literally wear anything without limitations”
There ARE limitations – the Bible says for a man not to have long hair (it is a “shame for a man to have long hair”). Look it up, it is in there. Just because the founding fathers did it, does not make it right! Everyone is a sinner, everyone makes mistakes, and not all the founding fathers were probably Christians anyway. We can respect the founding fathers, but do not need to believe and think that ALL that they did was scriptual – they are not God. :o)
(my email is anon.)
About long hair, what do you say about Samson then?
OK I had a typo should read Great Masculine Renunciation. I also point out that graduation gowns and choir robes, plus judicial robes, and other examples like robes/cassocks worn by male clergy, are remnants of the skirt age to which men once belonged. Google images on “Evzones” “fustanella” “Tanoura” and “Beefeaters,” men in clothes most would say are effeminate! I am certain God sees their skirts and frills as sex neutral, because they are presenting as men.
I liked your blog a lot, and you really have some legit statements. But I have to disagree on one subject.As I understood (maybe thats not what you meant) you are considering woman subordinated to their man, whilest God created man and woman equal, and have ordered them to respect each other. Your example with hair, what if woman told her husband to let his hair grow a bit, should he listen to her or do what he wants? Marriage is not commanding institution ,there’s no commander in there. Love can only flourish where is mutual understanding and togetherness
Dear Joan, thank you so much for all your thoughts. I do believe that women are to willingly place themselves in submission to their husbands (Ephesians 5:21-33). I know that verse 21 says that we submit to one another, but the following verses (and into chapter 6) then goes into specifics about what that looks like for various people: husbands, wives, children, fathers, servants, masters.
I am wondering what Scripture passage ways that God created men and women equal? Also, where does it say that we are to respect one another?
I originally opened this thread because of the “head covering” words. I would like to hear more about this. I only read one comment in something you wrote in the beginning about showing submission to husbands. I have some friends who wear them, but I haven’t been able to ask them in depth about when they wear them and why. I read in the Bible that women should wear them in church to show respect for God. Now, I am wondering if we should wear them always so as not to tempt other men when they see our hair. What are your thoughts on this one? What constitutes a sufficient head covering. I wear mine up in a bun every day, but should I be wearing some cloth or something too? I really loved what you wrote on skirts. I share many of the same thoughts as you and some of your other readers.
Sorry, a little more digging and I found it! I have already ordered a nice head covering and leggings to go under my skirts for the upcoming MI winter. The passage in 1 Cor. has been speaking to me lately and your posts have really hit home. I hate when we pick and choose which parts of scripture to obey and I have been struggling with this in my head lately. I also was very fired up at church about some Christian Education decisions and now feel like I spoke out of turn. Even though my husband feels the same way I do about this subject, I keep opening my big mouth. Maybe a head covering will remind me of my place and help me to remember my servants heart and crush my pride! Oh God, give us wisdom as we lead our children to honor you in this self-sufficient, proud culture. Amen.
WOW this is crazy !
Have you heard that notes like these that come through your website’s contact page are in effect an effective method to get more sales for your online business? How do we do this? Easy, we craft an advertisement like the one you’re reading now for you and we mass post it to hundreds of thousands contact forms on sites in whatever niche or country you want to target. Does this work? Since you’ve ready my entire message then you’re proof that they do! What’s more, this won’t cost you much more than $3 a day! Want to get more info? send a reply here: UlisesMelinav85668@gmail.com