Comments on: Clothing and the Character of the Child http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/ By Russell D. Moore. Russell D. Moore serves as the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. In addition, Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find sermons and other resources to help Christians engage the culture from a biblical worldview at www.russellmoore.com. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:24:04 +0000 By: All Things Supercinski » Blog Archive » Useful Links http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-256 All Things Supercinski » Blog Archive » Useful Links Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:15:04 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-256 [...] Clothing and the Character of the Child - By this point, a good many readers have likely identified me as some sort of development-squelching fundamentalist prude. I’ve heard the protests before, as a pastor, children’s minister, and youth minister—more from parents, oddly enough, than from children: “Come on, it’s just the kids’ clothes. Why make such a big deal about it? Let them wear what everyone else is wearing! If we don’t let them dress that way, they won’t be able to fit in.” [...] [...] Clothing and the Character of the Child - By this point, a good many readers have likely identified me as some sort of development-squelching fundamentalist prude. I’ve heard the protests before, as a pastor, children’s minister, and youth minister—more from parents, oddly enough, than from children: “Come on, it’s just the kids’ clothes. Why make such a big deal about it? Let them wear what everyone else is wearing! If we don’t let them dress that way, they won’t be able to fit in.” [...]

]]> By: Rey http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-255 Rey Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:50:37 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-255 GOD bless....Excellent post...Right on target.. GOD bless….Excellent post…Right on target..

]]> By: Chris (Jesdisciple) http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-254 Chris (Jesdisciple) Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:50:37 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-254 Sunniemom, to my knowledge Scripture never actually defines nakedness or modesty in terms of body parts. So Marcy isn't saying that culture overrides Scripture but that Scripture is silent and culture is the next authority in line. This isn't to say that I disagree with our definition, or even that I agree with Marcy. I would actually name the prevailing conviction of devout Christians of the opposite gender as the next authority. This is different from Marcy's position in that it excludes both one's sexual peers and the spiritually immature from voting. Sunniemom, to my knowledge Scripture never actually defines nakedness or modesty in terms of body parts. So Marcy isn’t saying that culture overrides Scripture but that Scripture is silent and culture is the next authority in line.

This isn’t to say that I disagree with our definition, or even that I agree with Marcy. I would actually name the prevailing conviction of devout Christians of the opposite gender as the next authority. This is different from Marcy’s position in that it excludes both one’s sexual peers and the spiritually immature from voting.

]]> By: Susan http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-253 Susan Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:48:29 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-253 Thank you so much for sharing insight into this issue! As a mother of two teenage daughters and the dean at a Christian school which includes 400+ girls, your comments matched my thoughts exactly. I talk with the girls about finding modest, fashionable apparel and help them understand the worldview of today's designers. It's a difficult task, but we as Christian parents, must hold the line, be not weary in well doing, and continue to train the next generation. Again, thank you for your encouraging words. Thank you so much for sharing insight into this issue! As a mother of two teenage daughters and the dean at a Christian school which includes 400+ girls, your comments matched my thoughts exactly. I talk with the girls about finding modest, fashionable apparel and help them understand the worldview of today’s designers. It’s a difficult task, but we as Christian parents, must hold the line, be not weary in well doing, and continue to train the next generation. Again, thank you for your encouraging words.

]]> By: Joan http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-252 Joan Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:21:02 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-252 This is exactly why my family started WholesomeWear in 2001. Modest swimwear was non-existant at the time. My customers love to swim and some had not been able to for years, until they came across the WholesomeWear website. Thank you for a well written article regarding the clothing that we have to choose from out there. I agree with you on every point. This is exactly why my family started WholesomeWear in 2001. Modest swimwear was non-existant at the time. My customers love to swim and some had not been able to for years, until they came across the WholesomeWear website. Thank you for a well written article regarding the clothing that we have to choose from out there. I agree with you on every point.

]]> By: Karen http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-251 Karen Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:55:24 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-251 Thank you, thank you for the love you have for your daughter. I only wish more parents would clue into the things that you have mentioned and protect their children. Idiots wonder why our society is in the immoral state that it is, but then they think that such slogans and immoral dress is cute and funny. Thank you, thank you for the love you have for your daughter. I only wish more parents would clue into the things that you have mentioned and protect their children.

Idiots wonder why our society is in the immoral state that it is, but then they think that such slogans and immoral dress is cute and funny.

]]> By: Sunniemom http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-250 Sunniemom Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:20:31 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-250 Great post- and even the lost world in their own way knows that something is amiss with the market sexualizing young girls (check out the book "Packaging Girlhood" and the author's blog at http://www.packaginggirlhood.typepad.com/). I think it should be emphasized that what is questionable isn't just the presence of suggestive words and phrases on clothing- but where do words and pictures draw the eye? To a little girl's behind? To a young woman's chest? Excuse me, but on what planet is staring at the female bosom or her posterior considered okey-dokey as long as what you are doing is 'reading' her clothing? I would disagree with Marcy that cultural definitions of modesty can 'override' Biblical definitions. Regardless of one's culture, naked is naked, and is forbidden in Scripture. The reason some cultures have a different view of nakedness isn't because they live in a pre-fall Garden of Eden, but because they live on a corrupted earth. Moderation is the key to modesty in any culture. Great post- and even the lost world in their own way knows that something is amiss with the market sexualizing young girls (check out the book “Packaging Girlhood” and the author’s blog at http://www.packaginggirlhood.typepad.com/).

I think it should be emphasized that what is questionable isn’t just the presence of suggestive words and phrases on clothing- but where do words and pictures draw the eye? To a little girl’s behind? To a young woman’s chest? Excuse me, but on what planet is staring at the female bosom or her posterior considered okey-dokey as long as what you are doing is ‘reading’ her clothing?

I would disagree with Marcy that cultural definitions of modesty can ‘override’ Biblical definitions. Regardless of one’s culture, naked is naked, and is forbidden in Scripture. The reason some cultures have a different view of nakedness isn’t because they live in a pre-fall Garden of Eden, but because they live on a corrupted earth.

Moderation is the key to modesty in any culture.

]]> By: Erik Koliser http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-249 Erik Koliser Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:01:14 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-249 Great Article..... I completely agree and don't look forward to the time this happens with Olivia. But to spice things up in this already long "responses" what is a church to do with unchurched, lost visitors who wear "immodest" clothing and whose parents don't go to church nor care what they wear????? hehehehe Great Article….. I completely agree and don’t look forward to the time this happens with Olivia. But to spice things up in this already long “responses” what is a church to do with unchurched, lost visitors who wear “immodest” clothing and whose parents don’t go to church nor care what they wear????? hehehehe

]]> By: belindaIlett http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-248 belindaIlett Sun, 11 Jan 2009 01:17:02 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-248 Well, buying clothes for my 12 year old has been rather difficult, usually come home empty handed. Tw years ago , a new church in our area, sent out welcome invites to about 70,000 people via mail. My husband wrote a loving letter filled with scripture concerned with what the mail invitation looked like. A teenager wearing low, low low rider tight jeans and a tiny thin underwear looking top about 4 inches above and below belly button, a kid 8 years old sticking out his tonge and one other picture. Come as you are it said. It also conveyed a message, forget the old paths we are new and improved!! My husband a Sunday School teacher , photocopyed the picture of the girl and asked his class what the picture was advertising, you can guess the response. Needless to say my husband did not receive a reply from the pastor. I wonder why? I was a cabin lead, 12 girls per cabin, 140 girls 11 to 12 year old , this past summer.My daughter was 11, she stayed in a cabin another cabin, thought it would be more fun without mom, in hers.I asked many questions on the phone and through email. It was the most conservative camp I though I could find. No words,The chrisitian cabin role model leaders looked like play boy bunnies.The mature mini skirt, bikini clad leadership team, Directors and bible teachers listening to Shana Twain, couldn't understand, 3 days into the camp why I was crying wracked sobs of dispair. I wanted to share the gospel, and be a light, but at that age the girls want to emulate the cool leaders. I was heart broken. Sex sells in church, maybe i should get a nose ring and join them, it is awfull lonely on the Timothy side of the fence, for my daughter and me. NOt!. . a s well Well, buying clothes for my 12 year old has been rather difficult, usually come home empty handed.

Tw years ago , a new church in our area, sent out welcome invites to about 70,000 people via mail.

My husband wrote a loving letter filled with scripture concerned with what the mail invitation looked like. A teenager wearing low, low low rider tight jeans and a tiny thin underwear looking top about 4 inches above and below belly button, a kid 8 years old sticking out his tonge and one other picture. Come as you are it said. It also conveyed a message, forget the old paths we are new and improved!!

My husband a Sunday School teacher , photocopyed the picture of the girl and asked his class what the picture was advertising, you can guess the response.

Needless to say my husband did not receive a reply from the pastor. I wonder why?

I was a cabin lead, 12 girls per cabin, 140 girls 11 to 12 year old , this past summer.My daughter was 11, she stayed in a cabin another cabin, thought it would be more fun without mom, in hers.I asked many questions on the phone and through email. It was the most conservative camp I though I could find.

No words,The chrisitian cabin role model leaders looked like play boy bunnies.The mature mini skirt, bikini clad leadership team, Directors and bible teachers listening to Shana Twain, couldn’t understand, 3 days into the camp why I was crying wracked sobs of dispair.

I wanted to share the gospel, and be a light, but at that age the girls want to emulate the cool leaders. I was heart broken.

Sex sells in church, maybe i should get a nose ring and join them, it is awfull lonely on the Timothy side of the fence, for my daughter and me. NOt!.

. a s well

]]> By: Choosing Appropriate Clothing for your Teenaged Daughter « Thinking Out Loud http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/12/31/clothing-and-the-character-of-the-child/#comment-247 Choosing Appropriate Clothing for your Teenaged Daughter « Thinking Out Loud Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:54:59 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1659#comment-247 [...] out Dr. Timothy Paul Jones guest-blogging at Moore to the Point, a blog by Russell D. Moore. [...] out Dr. Timothy Paul Jones guest-blogging at Moore to the Point, a blog by Russell D. Moore.

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