Is it Sinful for a Woman to Wear Trousers?

LESSON 4

IS IT SINFUL FOR A WOMAN TO WEAR TROUSERS?

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on Christian Adornment. The topic for this study is: Is it Sinful for a Woman to Wear Trousers? This subject is one of the very hot topics in several quarters of Christendom today. It is my prayer that the Lord Himself will provide answers to this question that will help His children to grow in relation to the high standards of Christian living.

Friends, in relation to this topic, one of the first scriptural texts that you are likely to find in the literature is Deuteronomy 22:5. This text reads: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God" (Deuteronomy 22:5). Several Christian commentators have debated on this particular text. Some commentators are of the view that the text in Deuteronomy 22:5 was basically prohibiting the Israelites from engaging in pagan transvestism rituals which included the exchange of dress between men and women; and as such the text has nothing to do with the adornment of men and women in recent times. Other commentators are also of the view that the text echoes a respect for the God ordained distinction between males and females which is to be expressed through appropriate clothing by each of the genders (see Genesis 1:26). However, the question as to whether trousers (pants) are a primarily male dress has received contrary opinions from this class of commentators.

At this point in our study, an important question that begs for an answer is this: With the varying views out there in relation to the interpretation of Deuteronomy 22:5, where can we find good counsel that will stabilise our minds on exactly what to do? Friends, in researching this topic, I have found the counsels of Ellen G. White to be very clear on the subject. However, before we can appreciate the counsels of Ellen G. White on this issue, we need to trace the development of dress reform in America. In the early 1850s, a group of prominent women began a dress reform movement in America. We are told that the style of their dress was about to the knee (later raised to mid-thigh), and the limbs were clothed with trousers. Originally, the trousers were quite full and were called "bloomers", but later they were quite straight and mannish. Their reform dress style became known as the "American Costume".* It is interesting to learn that in relation to this Reform Dress in America, Sister White had both positive and negative comments. Some of the negative comments are as follows:

1) "I saw that God's order has been reversed, and His special directions disregarded, by those who adopt the American costume. I was referred to Deuteronomy 22:5: 'The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.' God would not have His people adopt the so-called reform dress. It is immodest apparel, wholly unfitted for the humble followers of Christ." -- (1T 457.1)

2) "God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime." -- (IT 460.1)

3) "There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. -- (1T 457.2)

4) "With the so-called dress reform there goes a spirit of levity and boldness just in keeping with the dress. Modesty and reserve seem to depart from many as they adopt that style of dress. I was shown that God would have us take a course consistent and explainable. Let the sisters adopt the American Costume and they would destroy their own influence and that of their husbands. They would become a byword and a derision. Our Saviour says: 'Ye are the light of the world.' `Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' There is a great work for us to do in the world, and God would not have us take a course to lessen or destroy our influence with the world." -- (1T 457.4)

5) "Those who feel called out to join the movement in favor of woman's rights and the so-called dress reform might as well sever all connection with the third angel's message. The spirit which attends the one cannot be in harmony with the other. The Scriptures are plain upon the relations and rights of men and women." -- (1T 457.3)

Besides the clear rebukes above, Ellen White also shared some positive comments in relation to the health benefits of the American Costume. Here are some of such comments:

1) "THE DRESS OF THE SECOND CLASS WHICH PASSED BEFORE ME WAS IN MANY RESPECTS AS IT SHOULD BE. THE LIMBS WERE WELL CLAD. They were free from the burdens which the tyrant, Fashion, had imposed upon the first class; but had gone to that extreme in the short dress as to disgust and prejudice good people, and destroy in a great measure their own influence. This is the style and influence of the `American Costume,' taught and worn by many at `Our Home,' Dansville, New York. It does not reach to the knee. I need not say that this style of dress was shown me to be too short." -- (3SM 278.2; Capital Emphasis Added)

2) "SOME WHO ADOPT THIS COSTUME MAYBE CORRECT IN THEIR VIEWS IN GENERAL UPON THE HEALTH QUESTION, and they could be instrumental in accomplishing vastly more good if they did not carry the matter of dress to such extremes." -- (1T 459.7; Capital Emphasis Added)

From the few positive comments that we see in the quotes above, it is clear that the American Costume was not wholly bad. The original American costume included loose trousers (bloomers) which covered the limbs of women. As Ellen White observed, this part of the attire was very important in relation to the health question (review 3SM 278.2). However, the trousers / pants were later trimmed to be very straight and mannish. Moreover, the style of dress which originally reached to the knee was raised to the mid-thigh. Basically, these were some of the clear extremes that Ellen White raised in relation to the American Costume. It is interesting to learn that in 1863, after over a decade when the American Reform Dress was launched, Ellen White began receiving instructions on dress reform for Gods remnant people. These instructions on dress reform were designed to cater for the crucial issues of modesty and health which were lacking in the popular fashion of the day. Here are some of the dress reform counsels from the Spirit of Prophecy with a higher emphasis on the health factor:

1) "In order to maintain equal circulation, there should be an equal distribution of clothing, which will bring equal warmth to all parts of the body. THE LIMBS THAT ARE THE FARTHEST FROM THE VITAL ORGANS, SHOULD BE MORE THOROUGHLY PROTECTED WITH WARM COVERINGS. THE EXTREMITIES SHOULD BE CAREFULLY GUARDED FROM COLD AND CHILLINESS BY AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF CLOTHING. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR WOMEN TO HAVE, HABITUALLY, CHILLED LIMBS AND COLD FEET, WITHOUT SOME OF THE INTERNAL ORGANS BEING CONGESTED." -- (The Health Reformer May 1, 1872; Capital Emphasis Added)

2) "Your girls should wear the waists of their dresses perfectly loose, and they should have a style of dress convenient, comfortable, and modest. In cold weather they should wear warm flannel or cotton drawers, which can be placed inside the stockings. OVER THESE SHOULD BE WARM LINED PANTS, WHICH MAY BE FULL, GATHERED INTO A BAND, AND NEATLY BUTTON AROUND THE ANKLE, OR TAPER AT THE BOTTOM AND MEET THE SHOE. THEIR DRESS SHOULD REACH BELOW THE KNEE. With this style of dress, one light skirt, or at most two, is all that is necessary, and these should be buttoned to a waist. The shoes should be thick-soled, and perfectly comfortable. With this style of dress your girls will be no more in danger in the open air than your boys. And their health would be much better, were they to live more out of doors, even in winter, than to be confined to the close air of a room heated by a stove." -- (Selected Messages, book 2, page 471; Capital Emphasis Added)

3) "You should clothe the limbs of your girls as warmly as you do your boys', thus inducing the blood to the extremities. THEY SHOULD BE CLOTHED WITH WARM, LINED PANTS, MEETING THE INSTEP. In no case should the pants be formed so as to be pulled up out of sight by the children, leaving any part of their limbs exposed. I inquire, Is it reasonable, or even modest, to see the limbs of your daughters exposed, to the bend of the knee, without any covering, except a cotton stocking in summer, and flannel, in winter? Why should not mothers clothe their daughters sensibly, modestly, and healthfully, irrespective of prevailing fashions?" -- (The Health Reformer, November 1, 1870, pp. 5, 6; Capital Emphasis Added)

4) "There is but one woman in a thousand who clothes her limbs as she should. Whatever may be the length of the dress, females should clothe their limbs as thoroughly as the males. THIS MAY BE DONE BY WEARING LINED PANTS GATHERED INTO A BAND AND FASTENED ABOUT THE ANKLE, OR MADE FULL AND TAPERING AT THE BOTTOM, AND THESE SHOULD COME DOWN LONG ENOUGH TO MEET THE SHOE. The limbs and ankles thus clothed are protected against a current of air. If the limbs and feet are kept comfortable with warm clothing, the circulation will be equalized, and the blood will remain healthy and pure, because it is not chilled or hindered in its natural passage through the system." -- (Selected Messages, book 2, page 479; Capital Emphasis Added)

5) "WE PLEAD FOR THE WARM, LINED PANTS IN WINTER, THAT THE BLOOD MAY BE INDUCED TO THE EXTREMITIES, THAT THEY MAY NOT BY SCANTY CLOTHING BE ROBBED OF THEIR DUE PROPORTION OF BLOOD. The current of human life is struggling to go its accustomed rounds and should not be hindered in its circuit through the body by the imperfect manner in which women clothe their limbs." -- (The Health Reformer, May 1, 1872; Capital Emphasis Added)

6) "THEY DO NOT BLUSH TO WITNESS THE EXPOSURE OF THE ALMOST NAKED LIMBS. BUT THE LIMBS THOROUGHLY DRESSED WITH WARM PANTS SHOCK THEIR MODESTY. SUCH OPPOSITION TO THE PANTS, WHICH ARE POSITIVELY MODEST, AND WHICH PROTECT THE LIMBS FROM EXPOSURE AND CHILLINESS, SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY SENSIBLE REASON. Many say, Oh! the pants look so singular! Everybody stares, and women nudge one another, and look so comical, and some laugh outright. Weighty reasons, these! It is not among the possibilities to get up anything so deforming and uncomfortable as the hump fashion places on the backs of women. This, and the looped, puffed, and ruffled overskirts are devoid of taste and beauty. But these things are tolerated because they are fashionable. How could these slaves of such hideous fashions reasonably laugh at any manner of dress they should behold? Our work shall be, by the grace of God, to preserve simplicity of dress, and stand with moral independence in defiance of fashions that have no regard for natural beauty or physical law." -- (The Health Reformer, May 1, 1872; Capital Emphasis Added)

7) "The slaves to fashion may say the feet and limbs are exposed. I beg pardon: the limbs are not exposed. It is true the reform dress reveals the fact that women have feet and limbs, and when they are modestly and sensibly clothed, making exposure impossible, she is not ashamed of the fact. But the fact that women have feet and limbs is not, as we have said, concealed by the length of the dress. WE HAVE DECIDED THAT HEALTH AND MODESTY REQUIRE THAT WOMEN CLOTHE THEIR LIMBS AS THOROUGHLY AS THEY DO OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY." -- (The Health Reformer, March 1, 1874, p. 13; Capital Emphasis Added)

Friends, after perusing the various counsels from the Spirit of Prophecy above, I believe we are now ready to answer our topical question: Is it sinful for a woman to wear trousers? Beloved, it is clear from the counsels we have reviewed so far that the answer to our topical question is not a straightforward yes or no. Several factors will have to be considered before one can give a definite answer to such a question. For instance, on the one hand, if our girls and women wear trousers (pants) with the motive of furthering the feminist movement of equal rights, that will be sinful. If our girls and women adorn themselves with trousers (pants) that make them resemble the opposite sex in appearance, that will be sinful. If our girls and women adorn themselves with various kinds of tight trousers (pants) that expose their physical form to the public, that will be sinful. Moreover, if our girls and women adorn themselves with mini trousers or shorts in public, that will be sinful. This is because besides exposing the female form to public view, such an attire also endangers the health of the wearer as the limbs are left uncovered.

Yet on the other hand, if our girls and women adorn themselves with warm lined trousers (pants) to protect their limbs from cold weather, that will be acceptable. If our girls and women in tropical regions wear appropriate trousers (pants) to protect their body from insects such as mosquitoes, that will be acceptable. If our girls and women adorn themselves with appropriate trousers (pants) for rigorous activities such as house chores, farming, mountain climbing, jogging, and other forms of exercising, that will be acceptable. Based on the factors of health and modesty which are furthered by the Spirit of Prophecy, it is clear that our girls and women may choose to wear appropriate forms of trousers (pants) on certain occasions which will not be wrong in the sight of God.

As I bring this study to an end, it is worth noting that the warm lined trousers (pants) that our pioneers advocated covered the entire legs. Moreover, the lined trousers (pants) were to be covered with a dress that went beyond the knee (review Selected Messages, book 2, page 471). Thus, our girls and women who are impressed to wear appropriate forms of trousers (pants) on certain occasions may do so honourably by wearing an appropriate dress over it. This practice will make it impossible for their female form to stand out in public, and thus save their male brethren from unnecessary temptation. Even as we wait for the soon return of our Saviour, we must all endeavour to adorn ourselves with clothing that is modest and healthful; a kind of clothing that will bear witness to the world that we are children of the Most High God.

Exhortation: The following words of Paul to the Christian Church in Corinth remains good counsel to all of God's people in regard to the topic we have considered in this study:"10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."

(1 Corinthians 10:31-33)*Reference: When God Asked Women to Wear Pants: Important Spiritual and Health Principles for Dress by Vernon Sparks, M.D.

In our next study, we will consider the topic: What Does the Bible Teach Concerning Braided Hair? The Bible Study references for this study are 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 10:31-33. Please do well to go through these passages before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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