Of all cultural issues, this is one of the most “hot potato”
topics, at least among conservative Christians. Because of issues of modesty
and purity, what we wear goes far beyond tastes or fashions. But we are often
guilty of making modesty or purity the excuse for pushing a particular style
we like and are used to, when another fashion might be just
as modest, and more becoming to the person we are trying to persuade of our
view, which might be our own child.
What did Jesus do? This is an interesting subject to pursue.
Jesus, in fact, never mentioned dress at all except to rebuke the religious
leaders who made their clothing too “holier-than-thou”
and a subject of pride! See Mark 12:38
and Luke
20:46. He wore the dress of those around Him, and it’s clear by context
even if not mentioned that what He wore was a simple, humble version. The only
thing we know about for sure is His seamless tunic for which the soldiers
gambled at his death, probably spun and woven for Jesus by His mother.
Questions to ask: What are the moral issues of dress? What
are the dress customs of my personal culture, and how are they different from
or similar to those of the culture around me? Are there ways I may use my dress
to build bridges rather than walls? Whom do I seek to please when I choose what
to buy, and what to wear on a given day? What might those in the cultures
around me think when they first see me? Is this what I want them to think?
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