The sufficiency of Scripture means that we don’t need any more special revelation. We don’t need any more inspired, inerrant words. In the Bible God has given us, we have the perfect standard for judging all other knowledge. All other knowledge stands under the judgment of the Bible even when it serves the Bible.
John Piper

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} E-Periodical -Issue No.005 17/11/05

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#1 · November 17, 2005, 1:32 am
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                        News & Views:-          Walked naked to cleanse sins<FONT
size=3>!

To ponder over: -       <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE:
10pt">John.13:1

 
 
Perspective.                                                   Biblical Dress Code<SPAN style="COLOR:
#993300">

 

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mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt">Few months ago the vice chancellor of Mumbai ordered every college to enforce a dress code in the college premises. Shortly after that the head of the Catholic Church declared a dress code for the church members when they come for worship, saying church gathering is not for a fashion show. Followed by that the principals of the convent schools also called the parents and stressed the need to maintain a dress code for their wards, not only in the school premises but every where they go. Highlighting the growing attack against women certain news papers too advocated for a dress code for the youth today.

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            When the common people and the nominal Christians are alarmed by the deteriorating condition of the dress style of the present generation and forcefully arguing for a proper dress in the public, as believers-God’s own people- what should be our response?

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Some time ago when this writer was discussing the same topic with few youngsters they immediately drew his attention to the prevailing situation in a youth camp. Their logic was, ‘many of our people wear such dresses’. Even from a recently held camp, the campers as well as the visitors had one shocking report to give- the worst dress style of certain campers!!

 
In the name of freedom do we think that we can wear any thing? Can we adopt the style of the world where they don’t feel any shame to reveal their body? Can we blindly follow the patterns that appear in the media? Don’t we
have any guidelines in the word of God, related to our attire?
 
True, these are not popular points for preachers and writers who seek  only applause.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">  But as Lord’s People who do have a conscience, we can not be mute spectators to the evil fashions that are creeping in to the assemblies.  Remember our silence is interpreted as an approval to the folks to conform to the fashion of the world.
 

<div class=MsoNormal style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none;
mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt">Recently a new comer to an assembly enquired with the youth of that assembly regarding the type of dress to wear. The youth replied, ‘our uncle doesn’t say anything, you can wear any thing you want’!  It was a strange and shocking statement. For his conviction was entirely different. Because he used to keep quite they interpreted it as a license to go for any style in the assembly.

 

<div class=MsoNormal
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt">Many think that in the west there is no dress code. Just make a search for ‘biblical dress code’ using any search engine.  You will be amazed at the hundreds of web pages describing dress code for the people of God in the states. Not only various Christian institutions even the Camp centres   lay down strict guide lines for the apparel and warn them against any violation. They say, ‘if you have any doubt regarding a particular type of outfit contact the authorities before you wear it.’

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Very sad, as in many other unscriptural practices prevailing among the believers we find it easy to maintain a stoic silence. The result is the present generation is in the dark in relation to their appearance. They simply follow the crowd. Even some parents are not sure of
what is right and what is wrong. Many think there is no option; we have to go according to the trend.
 
We must never forget the word of God is our standard. We need to strictly follow that. Not only the Lord is
concerned about our spirit but also He is equally concerned about our day to day walk-life style. He has a word about our appearance and attire. Apart from the few explicit commandments on the dress, there are  references where dress code is implied or illustrated. As obedient children of God it is our duty to be aware of the biblical principles that should govern our life style and follow it.
 

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With out any explanation let us see few scripture portions that set forth some rules or principle on believers clothing.

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Gen. 3:7, 21:- God replaced the clothing designed by Adam with one of His design!

<div class=MsoNormal style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; TEXT-INDENT:
0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt">Dt. 22:5:- Distinctly masculine or feminine. Not to dress like the opposite sex.