Marbaniang, Domenic

There is an increasing trend towards becoming trendy at church, which is not always bad. We must make a distinction between faith and culture; culture is dynamic and flexible; faith has to be absolute. The problem rises when faith attempts to claim elements of culture in order to sacralize them and render them inflexible. When faith tries to do that, then the result is a legalistic religious system that is very fundamentalistic. These issues were earlier discussed here. However, grace is not lawless either. The New Testaments cautions us against those who attempt to turn the grace of God into license for evil (Jude 1:4, NET). Take the Example of Clothing Let's begin at the pulpit and one immediately notes at least 5 variants: 1. Those who stick to orthodox robes and cassocks or sacralized color definitions (e.g. white) 2. Those who stress on wearing business suits or traditional suits 3. Those who like to wear designer and more trendy clothes 4. Those who like to wear casuals. 5. ...

It is important for us to affirm some of the absolutes that Paul highlights about God-Christ-Man-Woman relationship: 1. The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God (1Cor.11:3). Certainly, this is not with reference to the Church; for, Christ is the head of the Church and in Christ there is neither male nor female (Gal.3:28). So, this is with reference to creation-order of authority. 2. Man is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man (in the Creation-order) (1Cor.11:7). However, in the absolute sense, both male and female are created as man in the image of God (Gen.1:27). 3. Man is not from woman, but woman from man (in the Creation-order) (1Cor.11:8). 4. Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord . For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. (1Cor. 11:11-12) 5. Man was not created for the woman, but woman for the man (...

See The Position of Women in the Bible In 1Corinthians 11:4-14, Paul gives instructions regarding headcovering in the Church. He instructs that women should cover their head while praying or prophesying in the public. However, with regard to men, he says that a man ought not to cover his head. His arguments are as follows: 1. A man who prays or prophesies, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 2. A woman who prays or prophesies, without having her head covered, dishonors her head. 3. A man ought not to cover his head since he is the image and glory of God. 4. A woman ought to cover her head since she is the glory of man. 5. Headcovering is seen as a symbol of authority (1Cor.11:10), at least in that culture. 6. A woman ought to cover her head because of the angels (1Cor.11:10). 7. "Nature" (that is laws of understanding, in this regard, as related to the culture) teaches that it is shameful for a man to have long hair, but it is an honor for a woman to have long hair (...

Clothing and culture are closely knit together. Often, clothing is identified with culture. However, in modern times, people in most parts of the world are embracing a plurality of inter-cultural dress culture. The dominating influence is Western. People of some cultures have protested against the new dress forms (imported or innovated) as threatening the indigenous forms. Much can be written on the variety of issues that concern the dress ethic and theology. However, that is not the goal here. One can take any of the many approaches to understand the origin, nature, function, and end of clothing. For instance, one can take the historical approach and study the origin and evolution of one or many dress forms; similarly, one can take the psychological approach and study human behavior and attitudes towards clothing from childhood to old age. Likewise, one can also take the religious approach and see what religion has to say about clothing with regard to sin, purity, ritual, and salvatio...

To cover nakedness, not expose it (Gen.3:21) To protect shame, not promote shamelessness (Gen.3:7,21)  To honor, not rebel (not rebellious dress forms, not for attracting through shock or provocation) (e.g. dress to honor various occasions like wedding. Jesus mentioned in his parable of the rich man's banquet that the man who didn't wear the wedding garment was thrown out, because he didn't honor the occasion, Matt.22:11; Gen.24:65) To aid the body, not violate it (There are different clothing for different seasons - winter, summer, rainy; different clothing for different purposes: to protect against sun or wind or rain - hats, headgears, etc, 2Tim.4:13,21) To celebrate fidelity, not become feast to the eyes of everyone (Sol.4:12). To display modesty and humility, not trot out arrogance and pride (Isaiah 3:17-23; 1Pet.3:3,4) To focus on inner beauty, not distract with or compensate with outer one (1Pet.3:3,4; Prov.31:30; Jer.2:33; 2Kings 9:30)

In the beginning the man and his wife were naked, but not ashamed. Shame & dishonor are terms contingent to the world of sin Where there is sin there is the sense of shame & dishonor When the man and his wife sinned, they acquired the sense of fear and shame; and, found the remedy in clothes of fig leaves to cover their nakedness Nakedness is contingent on sight and the sense related to it. It is not merely sexual (for the woman and man wouldn’t feel ashamed of each other with regard to that) Clothing is not just a symbol; it is a remedy… it is a basic need. Physically it covers against the antagonistic physical forces. Psychologically it remedies shame by hiding nakedness. Nakedness needs to be hid because man has become a private being. Nakedness relates to the organs primarily associated with sexuality. “Culture” (concepts and customs) play important rule in defining “nakedness” and “shame” “Cover” indicates the need for privatization of sexuality in a world that has grown ...