Do clothes make the man?

[Yusuf Evans]

In society today, throughout the world, it seems that success is seen as an event involving tangibles. Why is that? Are we that obsessed with fortune and fame. The below quote is being posted here, though it deals specifically with Christians today. I would like to see responses from both sides of the house. God bless.


"What would happen if Christ walked into a church and had long hair and smelled like a homeless person and said, 'Listen everybody. I want you to quit your jobs, renounce your worldly goods and give away everything you have, and come walk around with me!' I don't think he'd get very far. People would look at him and say, 'This is not the God we're used to!'"

-Moby, secular recording artist

 

[loriersea]

There is a book that kind of deals with this question, Sutter's Cross by W. Dale Cramer. I'm not usually a big Christian fiction fan, but it's a very good book.

I do agree with Moby. I think that Christians have a tendency to write off Jesus' teachings regarding wealth and possessions as commands we shouldn't take literally, and it would shock them if they were asked to take them literally. I certainly am not ready to sell everything I own and follow God. Obviously, we live in different times now, when doing that might not be quite as simple as it was in Jesus' time, but I do think there is far too much concern about outward appearances and material wealth in the Christian community.

One thing that I've always felt conflicted on is the idea of dressing up for church. On the one hand, I can understand the idea of dressing nicely to honor God. On the other hand, why? Why does how we look honor or dishonor God? Jesus didn't expect people to dress up to follow him, and I don't think he expects us to dress up to follow him now. I know that I've always felt far more comfortable in churches where you were welcome to just come as you were, rather than churches where I would end up being the only woman not wearing a dress.

 

[Moros]

Jesus saying sell all you've got and follow me, to his followers, while he was alive is certainly a different context than now when he is not. Was his comment meant to be eternal, or did he just want people to literally follow him?

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Jesus saying sell all you've got and follow me, to his followers, while he was alive is certainly a different context than now when he is not. Was his comment meant to be eternal, or did he just want people to literally follow him?

Well, he did say that a rich man would have a harder time getting into heaven then a camel threading the eye of a needle.

 

[tgg]

Clothes may maketh the man, but attitude maketh the complete human being.


tgg

 

[levi501]

Well, he did say that a rich man would have a harder time getting into heaven then a camel threading the eye of a needle.

careful, you'll have some people trying to say he meant something other then a needle.