Your Christian great-grammas never would have worn trousers: who changed - "God's word", or Christianity?

Question

For 6000 years females wore long dresses, but about 50 years ago Christian women began wearing trousers. Right now, today, a few Christian females sit in slacks at their computers and write about how being gay is wrong because it's an "abomination" (according to Lev 18:22 and 20:13). However --

Deu 22:5 "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man, neither shall a man put on a women's garments: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."

Paul (in the NT) instructs women to wear dresses: 1 Timothy 2:7-9 "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) ...that women adorn themselves in modest *apparel*" - from the Greek word katastole (used only in this verse) meaning a long, loose fitting garment. Paul continues in 1 Cor 11, via God's will, to distinguish between the appearances of males and females.

How do Christians justify women wearing trousers when both the OT/NT state it's an abomination and wrong?

Shayna: Don't do a hit and run dismissal of this question, please. If the bible is being misinterpreted, say how. Prove it. Back it up.

The information in this question comes from a Christian source:
http://www.pricelesswoman.com/Other_Pages/What_About_Women_Wearing_Pants.html

My purpose for asking this is stated in my question: how do Christians justify this? Where is the scriptural justification? Give me bible verses that void the verses against women wearing clothing other than dresses? I'm still waiting.

Answer 1

Same way they justify eating pork. I still haven't quite figured that one out myself.

Answer 2

Men also wore "dresses" back then. He probably meant that women should dress as women and men as men. That meant one thing in those days, another thing in the 1700s and yet another thing now. As fashions change so does what is appropriate for a woman to wear. As long as the women do not try to pass for men and men for women then nothing is being broken.

You ask for a bible passage that states women can wear something other than dresses but you haven't shown a passage that states a women must wear dresses.

For the person who wrote about the pork-- that is from a different covenant. That covenant was held with the Jewish people. The new covenant is with Jesus and that is what the Christians follow.

Answer 3

There is no justification for it because there are no scripture references point out what garments women can not wear.

Deu 22:5 is in reference to transvestites. Those who purposefully dress in a manner to disguise their gender.

The next verses you quote are simply saying that a woman should be dressed modestly. Meaning a woman should not wear items such as mini-skirts, short shorts, tight pants/shorts/blouses, etc.

You also have keep in mind how people were dressed in those days. Men and women's clothing in that time were very similar. They could be distinguished by way a sash was tied or how the outfit was accessorized.

Answer 4

I would not blame God or Christianity. Rather , I would say society has had a direct role in this as roles have changed and morphed to the point where women now take jobs that were traditionally men's jobs. Working on a farm is certainly doen with more expedience and modesty if the woman wears jeans. Jobs in certain industrial fields are better performed in trousers as well. I would not climb scaffolding or carry tools in a toolbelt with a skirt on. So society had dictated that modesty in those types of jobs requires the wearing of pants to insure coverage of things best left unseen but hinted at.

Answer 5

Just because there are changes in society and technology doesn't mean a violation of scripture.

The verse you cite from Deu. 22, has a long history of discussion in scholarly Jewish circles. Obviously it doesn't mean that women can only wear dresses and men can only wear pants because nobody wore pants then. In fact, there was little difference in clothing in those days. (Jesus never wore pants either.)

When pants became in favor in the middle ages it wasn't because we wanted to go against the Bible. No, it was because we found pants to be more practical. When women started wearing pants it was for the same reason. It was more practical. Today manufacturers design pants for women, and if you try to wear them then you'll know there is such a thing as "girls pants".

Back to our Jewish scholars, most agree that the passage in Deu. 22 is referring to a person who dresses up to gain access to areas reserved for the opposite gender for the purpose of fornication.

Answer 6

First of all, the Bible is written in a language we don't speak and is subject to interpretation. The Old Testament said lots of things that aren't pertanent since the death of Christ. There are some religions that still hold on to those values though, such as the Pentacostal. My MIL doesn't cut her hair, wear make-up, jewelry or pants. In the end, God knows our hearts and why we do or do not do things. The abominations comes when we judge others for their choices. God is the only judge. We all sin and fall short of His glory.

Answer 7

Of course, as you imply, the whole issue is that the growing (but still lagging) equality or women, and the resulting modification of mores, run ahead of primitive cultural dictates - codified or not.

But you gotta love the "shayna"-type answers that say you're picking and twisting the text. As if there was ever any doubt about what those tribal scribes thought about women.

Answer 8

There are some christian churches, as a whole the women still wear long dresses, long sleeves and do not cut their hair. Woman started wearing pants either out of comfort or rebellion.I am a christian female I do wear slacks out of comfort.But what goes on the body isn't nearly as important as what goes inside the body. Homosexuality is a sin and it is dangerous

Answer 9

in the day that it was written that women should not wear mens apparel, Men to wore long lose dresses. So why debate over such foolish things. Paul also says in Corinthians concerning clothing. That this is not spoken of from God and if there be any contention concerning this, there is no such law..

Answer 10

Ever picked up a pattern for a Christmas or Easter pagent? The only difference between the sexes was the size. It's the same today, just a different medium.

Answer 11

True and Right you are However,God sees alot that man does as an abomination.That is why we need Jesus Christ without Him we do not stand a snowball chance in hell at being pleasing to God.By accepting the free gift available to everyone we become the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.And not by our deeds.Take Care and May God Bless You.