Should people dress up for church?

Question: Is it appropriate for children or adults to dress up to go to church? Does this mean that they are closer to God than someone in jeans? Answer: People dress up when they head off to some special event. Their selection of clothing tells everyone whether they think the event is important to them…

Read More

Our nine-year-old is seeking boys’ attention by letting her underwear show

Question: We are a dresses-only family. My daughter is (deliberately?) not careful when running and playing and her underwear is showing. She has lost some of her treasured outfits. We raise her to dress very modestly. Last time she was on the swings during a church picnic seeking the boys’ attention. Other parents noticed. I’m…

Read More

Is a sleeveless shirt or a knee-length dress immodest?

Question: Are sleeveless shirts that are covering everything immodest? I had a skirt that was right on my knee and I wore it to church. I had an older man come up to me and tell me how sinful I was for wearing such a thing. It revealed my knee he said and it could…

Read More

What does the Bible say about wearing pants low?

Question: What do the Scriptures say about guys and girls wearing pants below their backside? Answer: You won’t find a direct passage because the style of dress in biblical days is quite different from modern times. However, you can find numerous guidelines which help us understand what is and is not proper clothing for a…

Read More

Dress Codes

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         There is a prevailing thought that one must dress up when attending services            A.        Many have special outfits, their "Sunday Best"            B.        Men are expected to wear ties, a suit if they are expecting to serve at the Lord’s table or to preach            C.        Women are expected to wear dresses II.        Common Reasoning            A.        Give of…

Read More

That Suddenly Uncomfortable Cheerleading Uniform

by J. S. Smith Parents in Southern California are understandably disturbed that videos of their teenage daughters cavorting about in sexually tantalizing clothing have been showing up for sale on the Internet auction site e-Bay. That’s not exactly how the news media begin their reports on the story, but still, it is a pretty fair…

Read More

What do you think about people wearing shorts to church?

Question: I was brought up in a church that has taught us to be modest and when we come to church we should dress appropriately. I have moved out of state and attend a church where people wear shorts in the congregation and on the platform and I am grieved. Do you think this is…

Read More

Is it wrong for a Christian woman to wear pants?

Question: Is it wrong for a Christian woman to wear pants of any kind? I always see references to not wearing tight pants but very little on the actual subject of whether pants are wrong, immodest, or a man’s clothing. The Bible teaches that there is to be a definite distinction between the dress of…

Read More

I need help handling teenage dress and language problems

Question: I need another outlook about fashion statements of today in the church. Young ladies are exposing themselves and young men are out of control with their dress and their mouth. I have covered I Corinthians and Deuteronomy 22 and a few other chapters. Can you help me put this in perspective?   Answer: I…

Read More

Should my attire match those around me?

Question: I have read the articles and sermon outlines you provide on modesty. I believe I am clear on how the Bible addresses modesty and feel secure in how I dress as being modest. The question I have is: if the standard of modesty for other Christians in the church is more conservative than mine,…

Read More

How long were the priests’ breeches?

Question: In one of your articles, you mentioned that Exodus 28:42 means from the waist to and including the thighs. What is your source for this interpretation? Answer: “And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs” (Exodus 28:42). This verse was discussed in the…

Read More

Must a woman wear a skirt to worship?

Question: I was wondering what is appropriate attire for women? I find the Scriptures that others have used to support the skirt argument are somewhat unclear and haven’t felt that they demand skirt wearing as a godly or correct choice. Please help me see the truth about skirts. Answer: The Scriptures do set forth basic…

Read More

What is Wrong with Mixed Swimming?

Text: Ephesians 4:17-24   I.        Let’s first define the issue.                         1.         It is not whether boys and girls can participate in the same activity.                                     a.         There are plenty of sports and other activities where both men and women participate.                                     b.         Often, as adolescence is reached, boys and girls will separate, mostly because men and women have different levels of…

Read More

Dress Codes

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton by Elissa Eikelboom Why do we pull out our best clothing each Sunday in preparation for attending services? Many of us have our “Sunday Best” – those outfits reserved for Sundays and other special occasions. The thought of attending services in anything but our best clothing is so repulsive that many…

Read More

Was I not dressed up enough for worship?

Question: I read what you wrote about Timothy 2:9. I go to church, but I am a person who does not wear make-up and the only jewelry I have is my wedding ring. I went to church in a pair of slacks that were black, dress shoes and a sweater. When the church had testimony someone…

Read More

Why isn’t I Timothy 2:9 taken literally?

Question: On I Timothy 2:9, how come it is not taken literally? I was wondering because I keep getting told that it is cultural when I do not understand even how the Bible could possibly be cultural being the Word of God and II Timothy 3:16. Answer: In like manner also, that the women adorn…

Read More

When did women stop covering their heads during worship?

Question: I am not very old; therefore, all I know about the veil thing is from my mother and from westerns; but otherwise, I do not know when about the whole change occurred. I know that you are probably really busy but I was having trouble finding something. I was figuring since you have more…

Read More

You Can’t Tell Me How to Dress!

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton He came to services sporting a mohawk haircut spiked tall with hair gel. Each ear was pierced several times: small nut-like objects filled the larger holes in each ear. One eyebrow was pierced. His lip was pierced and when idle the boy toyed with the ring occupying the hole. His tongue…

Read More

The Rebel’s Cause

Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-15   I.         Israel – the name means “one who wrestles with God”             A.        Jacob received the name when he wrestled with an angel, asking for a blessing – Genesis 32:24-28             B.        It became the trademark of his descendants – Deuteronomy 9:7, 24             C.        One that lasted their entire existence as a nation – Ezekiel 2:3-5…

Read More

Modest Apparel

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness,…

Read More

What would you consider as modest apparel for a woman?

Question: So what would you consider as modest apparel for a woman? Does the Old Testament law pertain to now — a woman in man’s clothing and man in woman’s? If so, then what would you consider man’s clothing and woman’s clothing? All men and woman wore skirts. So why is it that women who…

Read More

Is it okay for boys and girls to swim together?

Question: My friend wants to know if it is ok to go swimming where there are boys. I asked Daddy and he says he did not think that was right, and I do not do that. I told my friend, but she still does. Answer: To answer your question, we need to define exactly what…

Read More