So I have a conundrum with this issue of church discipline. Firstly, I am a Presbyterian member of a local church, so I understand the issues of church discipline. I also have a "growing pain" with people who think that they can be called a Christian and not be part of a local church. This isn't my problem, though. My problem has to do with the dress code of women in the church and how they ought to conduct themselves in the church, i.e., dress code ethics. I've been in a debate with some people who claim the name of Christ but who do not attend nor are under the discipline of the church.
These are the loci of the debate:
- Women should not be infringed based of what she wears in the church, e.g., high heels.
- Individuals with a personal problem ought not to impose upon the women in the church their personal convictions.
OK. I'll deal with these two in contrast:
- The church should force a woman to change her clothes if it stumbles a significant amount of men in the church.
- The women in the church should be considerate about her brothers' purity with two corollaries in mind:
- That she is there to worship God in word and deed and should exhibit that worship in her dress; and
- She should shop for clothes with the intention that is without bombast (=showy, flaunt or scandalous).
- That she is there to worship God in word and deed and should exhibit that worship in her dress; and
Those were just the reasons or methods of going about correcting someone. Also, I wouldn't suggest that any member of the church practice the discipline. I had suggested that if there are at least three or more people with a significant problem with the same person—her dress—then the elders should be notified. At this point, the people who espouse this cavalier approach of ignoring those who have the problem suggested that we can't as a church appease everyone. I took that point at face value and said fine. Even if there is a minority of men who struggle, I would say that it is a personal problem and they should deal with it; however, if there are as much as three people, then I think there is a problem. I recognize that this issue is roughly diagnostic and hard to prescribe, especially since the elders' authority is limited to holy living, but I still think its members ought to obey the elders of the church (see HC 85):
Quote:
Question 85. How is the kingdom of heaven shut and opened by christian discipline? |
I believe it's the underlying attitude of certain Christians that really bothers me. It is cavalier and frankly too bombastically clothed in mutiny. If you have any suggestions and/or opinions contrary to mine, please let me know. I am open to correction.
4 comments:
This one is such a sticky issue. What constitutes bombast and immodesty is often difficult to agree upon. But yes, in the end, we are in under the authority of our elders, so they ultimately determine the criterea if there is an issue. And one ought to be humble enough and content enough to make the necessary changes if required.
But I wanted to ask about the method. Because its most likely that a person wearing something immodest is not "trying" to cause others to stumble, would it be appropriate to adddress the issue from the pulpit at first as a general exhortation to the congregation about modesty. Or do you think its best that the elders take it directly to the person at issue?
I think that at that point, the elders should mention the issue generally. After all, they are there to admonish as the Heidelberg states, "after having been often brotherly admonished..." But if there is no recourse for repentance, then I think the pastors should approach the individual. Your thoughts.
I agree. And when the pastors/elders do speak to the individual, I feel it should be done with perhaps an even more merciful tact than usual. What I mean is that this person most likely doesn't realize they are causing their bretheren to stubmle. They're probably not in open rebellion but may have had different standards of modesty taught to them throughout life.
I agree. Unfortunately those who have responded to me in the PuritanBoard don't hold our mutual sentiment.
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