I'd like to put a disclaimer first. These are just my personal thoughts on the issue, so feel free to disagree. I also don't address anyone personally, we all live in this present day and age and compromise to some degree.
Now, when someone writes an article about female modesty, he usually will point out how the half-dressed women provoke lust in men which inevitably leads to the discussion of how much flesh shown is too much and whether we should teach our sons better self-control instead of teaching our daughters to dress decently.
But as far as I can remember, nobody ever mentioned another aspect of it. What if the Scriptures commands modesty not for the sake of men, or rather, not for their sake only?
Let me explain. There is the famous passage in the NT about women covering their heads in church:
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
(1Cor:11).
Here is what John Gill writes about it in his Bible comments:
F5 understands them of evil angels, and that a woman should cover her head in time of worship, lest they should lust after her; though much rather the reason should be, lest they should irritate and provoke lust in others: but it is better to understand them of good angels, who attend the assemblies of the saints, and observe the air and behaviour of the worshippers; wherefore women should cover their heads with respect to them, and not give offence to those pure spirits, by an indecent appearance...
What if the first interpretation is the correct one? Remember Gen 6 and the story of Nephilim?
So here is my theory. What if female immodesty attracts evil angels and spirits? What if when it becomes generally acceptable in a society that the majority of women run around in what looks like underwear of the times past this society experiences a higher level of demonic activity and rapidly deteriorates? Isn't it what we are witnessing in the West right now? Just compare our modern culture (lack of it) with the early 20th century when most women were covered from head to toes?
If this is the case, then dressing modestly is also very important for the well-being of the woman herself, so that she doesn't attract evil in her own life. She should try and cover herself not so much for men, but first, to preserve her own well-being and second, that of the country as a whole?
Please don't throw stones at me, it's just a theory. However, as they say, sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry!
Let me come out first saying I am in sympathy with your ideas and interpretations. So should head coverings be worn, do you think, all the time, or just during worship?
ReplyDeleteTheoretically speaking, I think, at all times is how it ideally should be. During worship is a good start. Here many churches still teach it (as does mine, though it's not a requirement to attend), but only Muslim women would wear one outside.
ReplyDeleteStill, there are ways to look more modest even without the headcovering. Longer sleeves, longer skirts or a long blouse over the pants, not having your hair hang totally loose etc.
There is this Eastern teaching that when women go around scantily clad or in tight clothes they will lose their feminine energy and can get sick. And somewhere in Scandinavia there is a church which teaches that long loose skirts promote fertility. I know it all sounds far-fetched and yet...
I have always believed, that women should be modest for their OWN sake. The fact that modest woman arouses men less, is just side effect.
ReplyDeleteSince vanity is a mortal since, is it no surprise that flaunting excess amounts of your flesh could draw the attention of demons, and make your guardian angels turn away in disgust?
I personally have noticed that being modest makes me feel more secure. On the other hand, feminine dress makes me feel more vulnerable, but in a good way, like I am not putting on that strong independent roaring womyn -act.
Also it is easier to forget yourself when dressed modestly, and isn't that what christianity is all about? That is why nuns wear habits.
Bianca, I have read testimonies of women who claimed they started feeling better and their health and marriages improved after covering themselves more/wearing a headcovering. Some even claimed that switching to long loose dresses/skirts helped them conceive. Of course, it's internet, so one can find anything, but who knows?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting thing is that there are folk tales in many countries about young girls/women being stolen by some entities, especially in pre-Christian pagan folklore. Mostly very young girls who were allowed to roam the streets freely and uncovered. There is an Irish tale about a young beautiful girl playing outside who is kidnapped by a stranger who later is discovered to be some heathen deity who took her as his wife. Free women were always covered even among heathen folks. It showed their status as opposed to slave girls.