How Shall We Dress?
When I was a child, everyone wore his “Sunday best,” whatever that was. The wealthy wore fine clothes. The poor could not afford fine clothes, so they wore the best that they had. Our Catholic friends stood out when they wore their work clothes to church on holy days of obligation. And no pastor in any tradition would lead worship in street clothes. Now, it might seem that there are no customs about how to dress for worship, except in those places where one is made to feel unwelcome if he dresses up. So in the midst of such cultural confusion, what does the Bible say about dressing for worship?
Congregation
The Bible seems not to provide a code for the worshiping congregation – Old or New Testament. Some will take this to mean that we are free to dress however we please, and apparently dress is not a chief concern for God. The massively detailed worship instructions of the Torah say nothing about congregational dress, and there is nothing in the New Testament either. God clearly has higher priorities, such as loving one another! But it is immature to conclude that there is nothing in the Bible to guide us on this question. As a general principle scripture begins by establishing the fundamentals of the Christian life and proceeds by cultivating wisdom, with the goal that we attain maturity. (Ephesians 4:13) The mature Christian reflects on the teaching of scripture to gain this wisdom whereby he grows toward that goal of maturity. Whoever declares that since scripture has no commands on dress in worship (or any other matter) and therefore the question is closed, is not pursuing wisdom and is immature.
Leaders
By contrast, the Bible has a lot to say about how the leader of the congregation ought to dress. Exodus 28 contains minutely detailed instructions about what the high priest is to wear, and these instructions are referenced and reinforced throughout the Old Testament. The New Testament has no such instructions for the pastor. Again, apparently how the pastor dresses is not God’s highest priority. But the expectation of scripture is that we will learn wisdom from the Old Testament and apply it in the New Covenant. This is how we justify infant baptism, rightly so, and this is the expected process for all issues for which there is not a direct command in the New Testament.
One matter that can introduce confusion is the role of the high priest. The New Testament ascribes this title to Jesus, and never to mere men. One might conclude that there is no earthly counterpart to the Aaronic priesthood in the New Covenant, but deeper reflection proves otherwise. Old Covenant worship was a copy of heavenly worship. (Hebrews 8:5) Old Covenant believers worshiped on earth with a copy of heaven. The temple represented the heavenly throne room and high priest represented Jesus. There is no earthly high priest in the New Covenant for the same reason that there is no temple. We worship in the real, original sanctuary in heaven (Hebrews 12:22 ff) where Jesus stands as our high priest (Hebrews 3:1) The New Covenant pastor does not correspond to Aaron as a high priest, but he does correspond to Aaron as the leader of the worshiping assembly. The pastor does not offer blood upon the altar; Jesus did that once for all time, and now continues in his high priestly ministry of intercession. (Hebrews 7:25) The pastor represents Jesus as a visible and audible manifestation of his presence. The Old Covenant high priest performed acts on earth in anticipation of the acts of Christ. The New Covenant pastor leads his congregation into the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus is, and performs among his congregation the work which Jesus is doing now: speaking and feeding. The New Covenant pastor is not a copy of the heavenly high priest; he is the link between Jesus in heaven and the congregation who are physically on earth.
Therefore it is fitting that the pastor give thought to how he dresses so to most faithfully and most effectively represent Jesus. He is not a copy of Jesus, but he is the link to Jesus. When the pastor reads and preaches the gospel, we hear Jesus speaking. When the pastor prays the Eucharistic prayer, we hear Jesus praying. When the pastor offers bread and wine, we receive them from the hand of Jesus. The wise and mature pastor ought to conduct himself with the warm decorum we would expect from Jesus, and how he dresses is an aspect of that.
Although there are no instructions on how a pastor ought to dress, we have pictures. The Revelation provides multiple pictures of New Covenant worship, and these are our pattern. It is an elementary mistake to take the pictures in Revelation as instructions. They aren’t. But neither are they a mysterious code or empty images into which we can pour our own meaning. This book is a revelation, not a concealment. God uses pictures because they best convey the meaning He wishes us to receive, and the fundamental meaning of the images in Revelation is established in previous scripture or by immediate explanation in the text.
The Revelation reveals New Covenant worship, and the participants are wearing white robes. Using the above guidelines, it would be an elementary mistake to assume that this means all New Covenant worshipers should wear white robes. Revelation does not command white robes in worship for anyone! The first question is, “What does this picture reveal,” and happily Revelation answers this unambiguously: the righteous deeds of the saints. (Revelation 19:8) Revelation conveys in pictures what Paul repeatedly asserts when he addresses Christians as “saints,” holy ones. Jesus, however, is in a different category. When John sees him, “he fell at his feet as though dead.” (Revelation 1:12-18) The meaning of this picture is more than righteousness. Jesus is the one who possesses “power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:13)
It is fitting that the pastor give thought to how he dresses so to faithfully and most effectively represent the One who possess “power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing,” and some would argue that he can represent Jesus in a variety of dress. That is true as far as it goes. It is most important that the pastor speak the words of Jesus and offer the food of Jesus, and he can do that whether he is wearing a robe or a swimsuit. He does not need to look like Jesus, but since God has provided us a picture of how Jesus looks, the pastor will represent Jesus most effectively if he makes some effort to imitate that look. And that means some sort of white robe. One might make the argument that the picture of Jesus in the Revelation is a symbol; his white robe is not be be taken literally. This also is true as far as it goes. But that simply means that when the pastor wears a white robe, he is wearing the symbol which points to Jesus.
It is claiming too much to say that the Bible mandates a white robe for pastors, but it is wrong to say that the Bible gives us no guidance on how a pastor ought to dress to most faithfully and most effectively represent Jesus. The pastor who is eager to preach the gospel of Jesus and offer the Supper of Jesus will do these things more effectively if his appearance stimulates people to think that Jesus is present in the pastor, caring for his people – and a white robe assists in that.
Tradition
The church has used white robes in worship for 2,000 years. Dom Gregory Dix claims that initially worshipers assembled in their street clothes (not work clothes), and those were white togas. As Roman culture absorbed barbarians and morphed into Medieval cultures, people no longer wore togas as street dress, but the pastors continued to wear them when they led worship. So there seems to be no evidence that the church initially adopted white robes for biblical or theological reasons, and to claim that is to claim too much. However, we might ask why pastors continued to wear white robes, and do to this day, when the culture moved on. We cannot answer this question because we were not there as the centuries unfolded and there does not appear to be any written discourse on this topic. But we can be certain of two options: either 1) pastors were too ignorant or lazy to change, or 2) the church discovered a reason to perpetuate this custom.
It is astonishing that over 2,000 years of massive cultural upheaval and the spread of the church across the world, the church everywhere retains white robes for its pastors. Of course this is not the case in every congregation. Most evangelical churches do not use white robes, but generally sound theology does not mean soundness in every particular, nor soundness in practice. The universality of pastors wearing a white robe presents us with some profound questions:
- Are those churches which are not evangelical not churches at all? (Roman, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, etc.)
- Is the Spirit at work in those churches, or only in evangelical churches?
- What about evangelical Anglican and Lutheran churches? Are they just 500 years behind other evangelicals?
- Was the Spirit in the church in the West during the Middle Ages?
- Were thousands of pastors and theologians deceived about robes all this time?
- Was it necessary for the reformers to reject white robes, or did they over-react, or were they responding to special historical ecclesiastical circumstances?
- Why did Martin Luther and the English reformers retain the white robes?
- Are those who cling to robes automatically assumed to be unspiritual?
- Are those who reject the historic liturgy unspiritual?
Over those 2,000 years there have been many thousands of pastors and theologians who have worn a white robe when leading the Liturgy. During that time there were many reform movements to correct the church when she strayed from the gospel, yet I am not aware that robes were ever a major issue, or any issue. Now just because a majority believes something does not make it right, but it should give us pause, and it should press us to examine our own beliefs. Over those 2,000 years the church discussed and argued over important matters: justification, sacraments, and election to name only a few. The Reformation did not invent these issues. The Reformation continued the discussion and brought a measure of resolution to these issues, but the discussion had been going on for centuries. But there was no discussion about robes. Thousands of pastors and theologians smarter, wiser, and more godly than we accepted white robes without serious question. It is arrogant to act as though we know better than they. Today the third largest communion in the world is Anglican, and most Anglicans are located in Africa. They are solidly evangelical in their theology, and they wear white robes. The notion that white robes are weird or an impediment to worship is parochial, mean-spirited, and wrong.
Practical Considerations
There is a significant practical aspect to robes in worship. Pastors are simple sinners like the rest of us, and they desire people to admire them and praise their preaching. And the people are likewise prone to excessive admiration or criticism of their pastor. It would be perverse to want pastors to preach and lead poorly, but to the extent that people focus on the excellence (or lack thereof) of their pastor, they are robbing Jesus of the glory that belongs to him alone. This is a challenging issue, because Jesus ministers through the pastor, not a cardboard cutout. Jesus reveals himself through a man with a personality, a history, meaningful experiences, opinions and tastes, etc. – and this is not a limitation. It is God’s design. However, the goal of ministry is to point people to Jesus, not to the pastor. This is not easy to comprehend or implement, and takes some time and practice to achieve. Robes can be a substantial help in this process. Robes help to take the focus off the pastor and direct it to Jesus.
Liturgical Assistants
Making a case for the pastor to wear a white robe as he leads the Lord’s Day Liturgy is fairly straightforward. But it has been customary for those assisting the pastor also to wear white robes. The fact that this has been a practice in the church for many centuries should cause us to reflect deeply and be very reluctant to consider our opinions more enlightened that thousands of those who went before us, and many who still consider this a healthy practice.
The Lord’s Day Liturgy takes place in heaven, where the visions show everyone wearing white robes. Jesus is a special category. It is not necessary for the pastor to wear the symbol of Jesus, but it is healthy and is supported by tradition. There is no tradition of the congregation wearing special dress. The benefit of liturgical assistants wearing white robes is that they who stand behind the altar symbolize what is true of the whole assembly — that we are in heaven. There is biblical support and tradition to commend liturgical assistants symbolizing the heavenly presence of the whole assembly by wearing white robes.
Black Robes
Some pastors, especially Protestants, wear a black robe in worship. This is inappropriate and ought not to be done. Black robes are the apparel of the academy, and they signal that the man wearing one is a professor who is giving a lecture. This is not at all the case in Lord’s Day worship. In the Lord’s Day Liturgy we gather in heaven and hear Jesus as he speaks to us. We are not in a lecture hall and the preacher is not a professor.
Some of the Reformers wore a black robe because that is what they had. They were professors, and a lot of teaching was needed to advance the Reformation. They were in a unique historical situation in which they had separated from the practices of the Roman church, and there was a critical need to communicate the differences clearly. Now 600 years later these issues are moot, and black robes are a serious impediment to Lord’s Day worship.
Black robes have been a tradition in academia, and are natural in that environment. In the Lord’s Day assembly, however, black robes conceal Jesus because people begin coming to worship to hear a lecture from someone famous for his learning rather than to meet Jesus.
Wisdom
There is no New Covenant command regarding dress for worship, so we conclude that this is not a high priority for God. But scripture admonishes us to pursue wisdom, and we are wise to consider how best to dress when we meet with Jesus. This is not a matter of command. It is a matter of wisdom. Church members may consider what wisdom teaches about our dress as we meet with Jesus, and the pastor may consider what wisdom teaches about dress so that he most faithfully and most effectively represents Jesus.
The Spirit is at work in believers “…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…” (Ephesians 4:13-15) We begin the Christian life as spiritual children, and like all children, spiritual children are endearing, but not very productive. Childishness is not a goal! Maturity is the goal. Spiritual maturity consists of looking like Jesus and is attained by cultivating wisdom. Maturity involves every aspect of life, including dress.
Why do we need to dress up for worship?
This question inevitably comes up, both for members and pastors. The short answer is, “You don’t need to!” A more extensive response is, “What is your concern? Are you worried that your salvation depends on properly dressing for worship? Nonsense. Your salvation was secured by Jesus, and is in no danger. Are you worried that God will be angry with you if you don’t dress properly, or are you thinking that is the point of this paper? How awful! God loves all his children and is delighted when they come to worship. Are you anxious about what other people will think, whether you dress up or not? They are not your judge. (Romans 14:10) You don’t need to dress up for worship. This question betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of God, his character, and our salvation. It may also indicate a shallow relationship with Jesus.
What is the Lord’s Day Liturgy? It is the weekly gathering of God’s people with their Creator, King, and Lover. On the Lord’s Day we gather to worship and give thanks to our Creator, we gather to give homage to our King, and we gather to bask in the love of our Bridegroom. The Lord’s Day Liturgy is analogous to an audience with a king and to a date night with your spouse. How you would dress for an official meeting with your king (or president) is a good analogy of what wisdom would suggest for dressing for worship. How you dress when you go out with your spouse for a Valentine’s Day dinner provides some guidance for how you think about spending a morning with Jesus. We do not need to dress up for worship, but a mature Christian will delight to appear before his king with the respect appropriate to his office, and will thrill to experience once again the joy of time with his Lover in clothes that bring delight.
Implementing Mature Worship
Our conclusion is that a white robe is the best apparel for a pastor as he leads the Lord’s Day Liturgy, but this is not biblically mandated, nor is it the highest priority. The highest priority (after the glory of God) is that we love one another. This is the second greatest commandment (after loving God), and is the New Commandment of Jesus. This means that squabbling over the pastor’s dress is divisive, unloving, and immature. The purpose of the pastor’s apparel is to represent Jesus faithfully and effectively and Jesus is not contentious. Although our position is that a white robe enables the pastor to most faithfully and effectively represent Jesus, in practice at a particular time and place this might not be the case.
An established congregation has grown accustomed to meeting Jesus in a certain manner, and an abrupt change will be disruptive. An abrupt change, even in a positive direction, will disturb the people and distract them from Jesus. The pastor is called to shepherd a flock of real people, not to establish an ideal church. Every church has its strengths, weaknesses, and quirks, which combine to create a congregational culture. The wise pastor cares for these people in their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks, and seeks to guide them to maturity. When the pastor comes to think that the church culture is unhealthy and must change, he will implement change gently, over a long time period, and with generous teaching, discussion, and care. Leaders frequently wish to implement change quickly, but lasting, healthy change happens over a long time as people come to see the wisdom of that change and slowly begin to accept it.
What the pastor wears as he leads the Lord’s Day Liturgy must be generally accepted by the congregation. Some congregations expect their pastor to wear a suit, some business casual, some a robe, etc. The wise pastor will wear what is the accepted practice in that congregation (unless clearly unbiblical). If that accepted practice is unhealthy, he will patiently lead the congregation to see that and welcome a change. By no means must he ever force a change on his people, nor must he tolerate squabbling over this, which is not a priority issue. “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)
Conclusion
God loves all his children and is delighted when they gather around him on the Lord’s Day. God is not angry with his children. We have argued the biblical basis for reflecting on dress for worship, but God is not angry with us, however we dress. Jesus took the punishment for all our sin, and there is no punishment ever for God’s children. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:32-37)
The New Commandment of Jesus is to love one another. All other aspects of the Christian life are subordinate to this. The New Commandment does not mean that we mindlessly accept any crazy thoughts or acts perpetrated by Christians, and does not promote sentimentality. True love may, and sometimes does, involve challenge and disagreement. Mindlessness is not biblical either! “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…” (Philippians 1:9-10) But the manner in which we challenge each other must be controlled by that love taught and demonstrated by Jesus, who “though he was in the form of God…emptied himself by taking the form of a servant… and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8) Mature Christians argue with each other, but never in anger or frustration – disagreeing but not condemning, challenging but not coercing. If Jesus does not condemn or coerce his flock, Christians should repent of such desires when they arise in our hearts.
We have demonstrated the biblical basis for giving thought to how we dress for worship, especially for the pastor and his assistants to wear white robes. The Old Testament provides detailed instructions for the high priest’s apparel, which has no direct counterpart in the New Testament, but provides wisdom. The New Testament provides pictures of New Covenant worship which also furnish us with wisdom. Mature Christians will reflect on all this biblical data and seek to gain wisdom for dress as they gathers each week with their Creator, King, and Lover. The wise pastor will nurture his flock, implementing change gently, persuading and never coercing his people.
C. David Green
Epiphany 2023
David Green 