One of the recurring conversations at our house is about reaching the younger generation—this generation. We debate how to do this, what legitimate means we can employ to accomplish this, how much money should the church spend to do this, how much energy I (the pastor) should spend in this direction, etc.
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Central to the debate is the question about being true to the Bible. Some Christian leaders are very concerned about using worldly means to accomplish a godly end. They are critical of Christian leaders who are not dressed (or look) like “Christians.†You know—the earring thing (or nose, or lip, etc.)! Or the weird hair-color thing! Or the casual (extreme) attire!
They believe Christians should look different from the world. They say it’s OK to reach out to the young people for salvation, but once they are saved, they should change their appearance to look like “Christians.†It’s a “testimony†thing!
And I understand this: I want my daughter to look like a beautiful lady! I do not want her to have “hot-pink†hair spiked into a point. I don’t want rings sticking on every part of her face! And I want the same things for my sons.
BUT, I argue the real question is NOT “what do I want?†The real question is NOT “what do I think about this subject?â€
The real question IS “WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THIS SUBJECT?â€
I have heard many preachers, pastors, and Christians say, “I do not believe it is right to dress that way or look that way.†But then I ask the simple question, “where in the Bible do you get that ‘belief’?†The inevitable answer is the Bible says, “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,†(2 Cor. 6:14). Or some similar passage.
I know the O.T. Jews were commanded to look a certain way! But God specifically addressed the question in regards to Gentiles (Acts 15). We are told that we DO NOT have to become Jews. There is NO outward “look†given to the Gentiles! There is NOT a certain “worldly look†that is BIBLICALLY UNGODLY (apart from apparel that is “immodestâ€)!  And 2 Corinthians 6:14 is not talking about a weird hair style or weird piercing or weird clothes! It is talking about separation from sin!
Now, I know we could make a good argument that your appearance makes a statement about what you believe (demonic statements, drug statements, sex, etc.), but most young people will tell you they are not trying to make an unbiblical statement. They are just being unique, being themselves, etc. If what they are wearing does not state something sinful, why is it wrong? If they are just saying “I am unique,†“I am ME,†why do Christians judge them for the way they look? Why are they not welcomed with open arms into our churches today? And if they do come into our churches, why are they not allowed to get involved in our churches without first changing their appearance?
If you tell me that you “believe†their weird look is wrong, I tell you that you should rather say, “I think it is wrong.†Your “belief†is not based on what the Bible says, but on what you think the Bible means by what it says in 2 Corinthians 6:14 or some similar passage.
I am passionate about this today because Phyllis and I walk around Athens and see a harvest that is ripe, young adults who need the Savior! Do I have to tell them to change their individuality if they give their lives to Jesus? And if I do, where do I take them in the Bible to prove that “biblical standard�
Well I know the debate will continue! But I wish God’s people would just be honest with themselves, their children, and this generation. Be honest! Admit it! You just don’t like the way this new generation looks! THEY LOOK WEIRD! But stop trying to justify your opinion with poor biblical exegesis.
Chas. Rice
5/15/07
