Post by Zac Loh on Aug 20, 2010 0:21:43 GMT -5
Jesus taught us about the heart. One can dress impeccably but the heart stinks. Or one can dress impeccably to honor God and bear a testimony. One can dress shabbily (in the eyes of certain standards) because that's how he/she usually does; this person wants to come just as the way he/she is, without hypocrisy. On the other hand, one can dress shabbily because of a lackluster attitude and without love/respect for/to others. In any case, we do not judge because we are not God (the church is God's) and we don't know what is in a person's heart (many times, we don't even know our own heart). With the love of God, we get to know the person who dresses shabbily, personally; and remind/correct if it is necessary (for all you know, this person can't afford new clothes). `Judgmentalism’ must decrease in the church because it is hypocrisy. Love must increase in the church because God is love. We are God's house. And Christ is the Head of the church. Everyone should acknowledge that.
When we interpret scripture, we at times also need to look at the background context. The culture was still influencing the new converts (genuine believers and otherwise) in Corinth. The infamous Temple of Aphrodite or Venus in Corinth at the time of Paul: this pagan temple and its 1,000 temple prostitutes greatly influenced the city's culture and morals. Based on this background and the situation at the time, Paul made certain instructions. So, if the women are wearing in a way to tempt men in church gatherings (as a result, men are distracted from God or even being there for ulterior motives), then the leadership will have to take practical steps, and institute discipline if necessary. Evangelism then is different from now. They go out there and save souls, and then bring them to church gatherings. Today we use the building, facilities, programs and spiritual environment as tools for evangelism. So we have to assess and discern the current situation.
When we interpret scripture, we at times also need to look at the background context. The culture was still influencing the new converts (genuine believers and otherwise) in Corinth. The infamous Temple of Aphrodite or Venus in Corinth at the time of Paul: this pagan temple and its 1,000 temple prostitutes greatly influenced the city's culture and morals. Based on this background and the situation at the time, Paul made certain instructions. So, if the women are wearing in a way to tempt men in church gatherings (as a result, men are distracted from God or even being there for ulterior motives), then the leadership will have to take practical steps, and institute discipline if necessary. Evangelism then is different from now. They go out there and save souls, and then bring them to church gatherings. Today we use the building, facilities, programs and spiritual environment as tools for evangelism. So we have to assess and discern the current situation.