| Slacks and Pant Suits | Added: March-17-04 |
Question: Doesn't Deuteronomy 22:5 tell us that it is an abomination for a woman to wear slacks or pant-suits in church? Answer: No. There are many legalists in churches today who try and support their demands through Scripture. Deuteronomy 22:5 is no exception. There has been a great misunderstanding of this Passage:
"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God" (Deut. 22:5).
Close examination of this verse reveals that this is not speaking of slacks, pant-suits or any other style of clothing similar to man's. This verse particularly refers to transvestism, the practice of wearing clothing appropriate for the opposite sex in order to make one "appear to be" or pass ones self off as the opposite sex. The word wear here is hayah and means "to exist, be or become." The above verse is not a primary reference to the principles of fashion, but refers to the deviant sexual behavior which is exhibited in the adoption of dress and behavior which is unnatural for ones own sex.
As the Hebrew word for man here is gerber, which properly signifies a strong man or man of war, it is very probable that armor is included in the reference; especially as we know that in the worship of Venus (Astarte or Ashtaroth among the Canaanites) the women were accustomed to appearing in armor before her image. God holds the distinction of the sexes sacred. Immoral sexual activities were a great part of pagan worship. Dressing as the opposite sex was a part of homosexual and/or lesbian seduction of Old. It is also very prevalent today. This is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 22:5).
Many argue that women should not wear slacks or pant-suits for they are the clothes of men. Those who hold to that position are using a limited view of culture and practice. It's one thing to try to look like the opposite sex and quite another to wear similar styles. The legalists who try and use Deuteronomy 22:5 against women's clothing incriminate themselves by wearing suit and tie combinations containing various woven fabrics. This is spoken against in Deuteronomy 22:11. The old saying holds true, "what's fair for the goose is fair for the gander."
We must remember that although women's slacks are similar to men's apparel, such fashion was also true in Jesus' day. Men's clothing and women's clothing were very similar; they all wore flowing robes. People of the Middle East, even today, wear very similar clothing.
Simply put, the New Testament is silent on a specific style of clothing for men and women. Additionally, even if Deuteronomy 22:5 referred to good moral women who were wearing clothes similar to a mans, would it be right to impute this one particular Old Testament law on New Testament believers? In several of his epistles, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are no longer under the law of Moses, but under the law of Christ. Examples: The Saturday Sabbath was binding upon the Jew of the Old Testament. Today, because of the Resurrection, we observe the first day of the week, Sunday. Certain meats were forbidden under the Law of Moses, yet the Apostle Paul states that New Testament Christians can eat all meats (1 Tim. 4:1-5). The Jews were forbidden to wear clothing comprised of more than one type of fabric (Deut. 22:11), there is no such restriction in the New Testament.
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is "modesty." The outward man should be governed by the inward man (I Tim.2:8-10; I Peter 3:1-5). If the inward man is pure, it will be mirrored on the outside both in appearance and conduct. We must also keep in mind that different nations and cultures dress differently. But Christians everywhere, if truly Christ-like, will dress in respectful good taste whether colorful or dark. The problem again, is legalism.To make particular clothing styles more holy than others has become a wide-spread problem in the last few centuries. To dress modestly means that we should not dress in a lustful manner, but in a manner which reflects cleanliness and good taste.
The issue seems to be that of "worldliness versus holiness." I am a firm believer in New Testament holiness and I am a firm believer in separation from worldliness, but we must know just what holiness is and what holiness isn't. True holiness does not begin with outward appearances or rules and regulations, but with a pure, devoted heart. The rest will take care of itself. The practices to which we adhere must be scriptural in nature. They must also be based on more than tradition. Holiness, in any sense of the word, does not include extreme views that become deterents to prospective Christians. Holy Spirit guidance through Scripture is the key to understanding the "Christian dress code" and the modesty that Scripture promotes. We must remember that there is a world of difference between attractiveness and temptation.
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:4-8).