WHAT ABOUT
WOMEN WEARING PANTS?We might as well raise this question, “What
about women wearing pants?” First of all let me say, nobody has ever asked
me that question. But if a person came up to me and said, “I want to know
what you think. I’m going to wear pants or I’m going to wear a mini
skirt.” I would probably say, “Go ahead and do as you please,” because that
is what they will do anyway. The only justification that I have heard for
wearing pants is that they are better and more modest than a mini skirt.
But, brother, that is not the only alternative! We don’t have to be reduced
to either of those two things!
If a conscientious, wholesome, godly Christian woman–a person who wants to
maintain the best possible influence–asked me if she should wear pants, I
would say, “No, don’t wear them.” There are too many things that should
concern you. I don’t believe you can go that route if you really study
these things for yourself. I don’t believe your prayerful attitude in
approaching God about this matter will let you put them on and wear them
without a doubt in your mind. That doubt is bound to be there (Romans
14:22,23).
I have some other objections. Pants reflect the unisex movement that now
exists in our world. If you think I have just conjured this up, look it up
in Compton’s Encyclopedia Yearbook. They had it under, no less than, the
heading, “The Pantsuit – Hemline Controversy” and that is page 249. Listen
to what it says, “Paris Couturier Jacques Escorel states that the
identification of the sexes in terms of clothes will become a thing of the
past.” That is current. He is talking about NOW.
He goes on to explain that he designed an identical tunic and pants for
father and mother and child and labeled them unisex clothing. He said, “We
will erase the lines that exist between male and female.” Hand in hand with
this again is the age old problem of homosexuality. It is a huge problem
today. These people are saying that is their goal. Those goals are an
abomination in the sight of God. Men with long hair and jewelry and women
with short hair and pants just don’t fit the picture I get when I read and
study my Bible.
Another reason I am opposed to pants is because they reflect the influence
of the woman’s radical liberation movement. This movement highly objects to
any distinction between a man and a woman. They are very dedicated to the
proposition of erasing masculine and feminine roles. They reject the fact
that woman is to be “discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to
their own husbands,” (Titus 2:5).
I propose that the so-called liberation movement isn’t a thing in the world
but an extension of a movement that began during the Second World War when
women put on slacks, took a cigarette in one hand, a cocktail in the other
and began using curses and obscenities. I think this should bother us. It
bothers me for such people to stand flagrantly crying, “I’m free. I’m
liberated in mind, body and spirit. I’ve come a long way!” They sure
have! They’ve come a long way! I believe Christian women should want to
avoid any appearance of sympathy with that kind of thing.
Pants [for women] encourage a situation that we cannot control. In the area
in which I live there are jobs that you, as a woman wearing pants, could not
hold. You would not be allowed to teach in some schools. I wanted to know
the school board’s reason for this. They said they did not want their
teachers looking like a bunch of men. There is another school in our area
that does not allow its girls to wear pants to school. Their reason? They
said, “We cannot handle or control the situation. No way!”
Let me tell you what they mean if you feel I’m being too rigid and too
straightlaced about the whole thing. Once you allow this in your home and
your life (and it’s up to you) I guarantee, you will live to see people
wearing any and everything that may be called “pants.” It began with the
pantsuits which could be fairly decent looking, but it didn’t last long.
You will live to see things being worn that will make you despise the day
you ever started. You are going to deal with things like, “What shape are
you talking about? How tight can they be, sir? Could we cut these pants
off and wear them as shorts?” Now, deal with that one! Then we are going
to wrestle with this question, “If pants constitute modest apparel, we can
wear them to worship, can’t we?”
Furthermore, we are going to deal with immodest posture and immodest
habits. We are going to deal with a coarser, and more boisterous, less
feminine disposition. I’ve seen it happen. Why dress in such a manner that
thousands in the religious world among the Amish, Mennonites and other
“plain sects” as they are called, would not recognize you as a Christian.
This is something that has long bothered me. I am willing for people to
dress better than we dress.... I am willing for them to have to have longer
cars than we have.... But I am not willing for them to live better lives
than we live. This bothers me. There are thousands of these people who
would reject you and say, “You are not a Christian!”
Satan is very crafty. For instance, on the subject of dancing, about the
time you convince someone that the intimate embrace on the dance floor is
not right, what does Satan do? He comes up with a dance that doesn’t
involve any embrace at all! Of course, he doesn’t want you to discuss the
indecent movements, he just wants to move your mind to something else. When
you apply this to the indecent exposure of a mini-fashion, then he comes up
with pants. As a Christian individual, please hold off just a little bit
and take a look before you grab the latest fashion that comes along. Take a
look at it and see what Satan is leading you to next. We are dealing with a
mastermind, the genius of this world.
“Let your moderation be known to all men,” (Philippians 4:5). Here is a
passage which brings us back where we need to be. Remember, this is our
manifesto–“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by
Jesus Christ... But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past
were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained
mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as
strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the
soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas
they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they
shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation,”(1 Peter 2:5 and 9-12).
Wayne McKamie
[These articles include all of Brother McKamie's study on modesty.
Free copies of the study may be obtained by contacting Brother George
Hogland, P.O. Box 1018, Lubbock, TX 79401.]
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WHAT PART DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT PLAY IN SALVATION?
Salvation is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). The Holy Spirit has a definite
part in the salvation of man, and it would help those who would be saved to
know how the Spirit operates in the conviction and conversion of the
sinner. Many think of the operation of the Spirit as something mysterious
and incomprehensible, and wait for the miraculous entrance of the Spirit
into their heart to regenerate them.
To understand the work of the Holy Spirit, we need to ascertain what His
dwelling place is and medium through which He operates.
= = = = = = =
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This cartoon is designed by Brother Billy Fordam of the Glencoe, AL,
congregation. He has many others. His expressed purpose is
to cause people to think and to pick up their Bible and read.
Let us know if you think this is a good feature for the paper or not.
We plan to use them if you believe them to be worthwhile.Be sure to
let us know what your thinking is.
--R.N.
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= = = = = = =
RECIPE FOR A HAPPY HOME
By Miles King
FIRST, GET OUT the utensils. You need one husband, one wife, and children
to suit yourselves. Next, cream one cup of love until it is fluffy and
mellow. Add one-half cup of tears and hardships and stir gently. Whip in
a cup of joy; when smooth add one teaspoon of thoughtfulness, heartfelt
tenderness, and sympathy. Add one cup of ambition with two cups of
Christianity. Bake in a moderate oven, top with kindness, and serve
repeatedly. [Author unknown].
There are wonderful qualities found in this recipe. And there are some
Christian qualities. These principles would be what we are striving for
in our homes today. A recipe like this including your Bible reading and
prayer will help build a Christian home.
Haven’t we heard this saying so many times—“There is no place like home.”
This is a very true statement. Sure we want our homes to be pleasant and
inviting. At the same time, we should be concerned with this question:
“Is my home a Christian home?”
All members of the family should join hands with having a household in
which the Lord would be pleased. Parents will want to talk and live an
example before their children, deserving respect. And these young people
are taught to be aware of their responsibilities—“home sweet home.”
First, we all know and would agree that a mother’s influence is keenly
felt in the home. Mother's work, the greatest in the world, is bringing up
the children, rearing them to be godly and Christ-like. We can never
minimize her role in the family; her love and her influence will long be
remembered.
Mothers, you are to be “keepers at home”... that they “may teach the
younger women to be sober to love their husbands, to love their children,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not
blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4-5).
Please read Proverbs 31:10-31. As you read you will see a woman who fears
the Lord; she is interested in her family’s “physical welfare”. This good
mother also had the trust and respect of her husband, as well as the
respect of her children. Isn’t this a very good example for mothers
today?
Now please read about the “man of the house”. Our fathers are to take the
lead in the spiritual development of the children. They can be a great
help to the mothers with Bible reading and prayer. “And ye fathers
provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
I once read a story about a young boy who wanted to attend some
entertainment in the community which his dad did not approve of. It was
the wrong kind of activity and the wrong crowd. Instead of fussing with
the boy, “laying down the law” that he could not go, this wise father
spent a good bit of time and money having some entertainment at their farm
instead, which was more interesting and outstanding than the other event.
I don’t remember if it was a “cookout” or if they played volleyball — but
whatever, it was some good wholesome entertainment whereas the other was
questionable. This showed a father’s love!
Last, but not least, there are the children with their responsibilities.
They are to: first, obey their parents, and second, honor their parents.
Please read Ephesians 6:1-3. Children remember this... we want you to be
“Christ–like.” Jesus at the age of 12 was subject to his parents. He
“went down with them, and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them”
(Luke 2:51).
Please, let’s see the importance of all members of the family cooperating
having a Christian home!
Miles
King
8586 Wilderness Trl
Scotland, AR 72141
