Thursday, October 3, 2013

Deuteronomy 22:5


Deuteronomy 22:5 
(Examined by Laws of Scriptural Interpretation)
By Bishop Jerry Hayes

“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)

The Apostle Paul admonishes the Christians to: “Be ye followers of me, even if I also am of Christ.” As human beings, we seem to have a natural tendency to follow others. This is especially true when we find qualities in other people worthy of emulation; and particularly true with such individuals that aspire to leadership.

Throughout the past two millennia the church of Christ has produced many noble persons. But none to parallel the apostles in character and leadership. Therefore, we fancy ourselves “apostolic” in the sense that we attempt in our Christian lives to imitate the apostles of Christ when involved in doctrine and worship.

While an honest attempt to follow the apostles of our Lord is evident in a few areas, such as water baptism and the Holy Spirit baptism, one must wonder about the lawfulness of claiming apostolicity if we cherry-pick only a few points of emulation, while willfully ignoring apostolic example in a multitude of other areas.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2, “Judge not that you be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: with what measure ye meet it shall be measured to you again.” It has given me a sense of privilege to have been brought up in the pews of the church which calls itself “Apostolic;” to have been instructed by ministers which call themselves “Apostolic” has been a matter of some pride. However, in this church and by these ministers I have been taught to judge the denominational church world for their unwillingness to see the true apostolic way. We have preached how unthinkable it is for those of the un-apostolic to disregard sound principles of biblical interpretation. Therefore, it is difficult, and disillusioning, to have the words of Christ (“Judge not that you be not judged, for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again”) illustrated in the very movement we call “apostolic.”

Jesus did not forbid judging; He only warned that the judgment with which we judge would come back upon us. So it has – a hundredfold! Who among us has not heard about the proverbial “chickens which come home to roost?”

We condemn the Trinitarian’s willful blindness; but, we are no better. When a brother brings to our attention a passage of scripture which seems to say something different from the common thought, and we refused to examine it simply because the “partyline” would be threatened by it’s mere consideration, we identify ourselves with the pot that spends it’s time calling the kettle black.

It is alarmingly sad to find the same traits inside the Apostolic Movement, which we condemn in other groups. (Before you put this tract down, and prove my point, please read further.) Shakespeare said, “To thine own self be true, and it will follow as does the day the night, that thou can be false to no man.” My friends, let us be ministers of integrity; if we condemn a trait or an attitude in others, let us be watchful (in duplicate) not to demonstrate the selfsame trait or attitude in ourselves.

We, as apostolics, are strict concerning our laws of biblical interpretation. Some of these laws which are important to maintain a true system of theology are:
  1. The Law of Context; 
  2. The Law of Witnesses; 
  3. The Law of the Addressee; 
  4. The Law of Biblical Example.

We are very stern with these laws of biblical interpretation when expounding on pet dogmas of the church; but, how sad it is to witness the willful breaking of each one of these laws in our attempt to sustain the so-called holiness-standards of most Apostolic assemblies.

A classic example of this miscarriage of honesty is found in the prohibition placed upon apostolic women concerning the wearing of slacks. The only scripture used (to my knowledge) to support such a teaching is found in 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.”

This paper will examine how these particular Laws of Scriptural Interpretation are ignored regarding the common view of Deuteronomy 22:5 which is held by most holiness groups. I trust that you, dear reader, will study these points prayerfully and honestly; and that your eyes and hearts may be open to a brighter and more joyous day for the Lord’s church.

THE LAW OF CONTEXT
When the “Law of Context” is considered, it is quickly discovered that in Deuteronomy chapter twenty-two the children of Israel were being instructed in the things they were and where not to do upon entering the promised land. It is, likewise, discovered that the dress under consideration is that of a battle garment, such as the garment of a warrior. This prohibition was given to the Israelites because the Canaanites so dressed to worship the goddess of war. Mr. Adam Clark writes, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaining to a man. KELI GEBER, (The garments or arms of men). As the word “geber” is here used which properly signifies a strong man or man-of-war. It is very probable that armor is here indicated; especially as we know that in the worship of Venus, to which that of Astarte or Ashtaroth among the Canaanites bore a striking resemblance, the women were accustomed to appear in armor before her. It certainly cannot mean a simple change of dress, whereby, the men might pass for women, and vice versa. This would have been impossible in those countries with the dress of the sexes had little to distinguish it, and where every man wore a long beard.”

This interpretation is supported by the Hebrew text in that the word translated “man” is the Hebrew word “gerber.” According to Strong’s Concordance #H1397, “a valiant man or warrior;… .” From Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew and English Lexicon, "man as strong, distinguished from women, children, and non-combatants whom he is to defend, ... ."  Therefore, the women of Israel were not to practice the custom of wearing the battle garments of a man of war, as was the custom of the women of Canaan in their worship of Ashtoreth. This prohibition would have been even more important on the holy days of the idol deity.

Ashtoreth was the supreme goddess of Canaan and the counterpart of Baal. The name and cult of the goddess was derived from Babylonia where this Istar (Ashtoreth) was the deity of both love and war. This deity represented the evening and morning stars and was, accordingly, androgynous (male and female) in origin. Under the influence of the Semitic people, Ashtoreth lost the male identity and became solely female. However, the memory of her male characteristic was not  altogether forgotten. This is testified to by the fact that Ashtoreth stood alone among the other Assyro-Babylonian goddesses; thereby, placing her on equal footing with the male divinities. Prostitution was practiced in the name of this idol and she was served with immoral rites by bands of men and women. Part of the
costume for this immoral worship of Ashtoreth was the cross-dressing of her worshipers. Since the origin of Ashtoreth was both male and female, the male worshipers appeared before her as female while the female worshipers appeared before her as male. When worshiped as a God of war, which was her male trait, the women would wear garments of the male warrior. When worshiped as the goddess of love and fertility the man worshipers would have dressed as women. Thus, the people of of Israel where not to practice such customs, for to do so would be identifying with the worship of an idol.

Also, it is a point not to be overlooked that the appearance of the word “abomination” is an indicator toward idolatry. Throughout the Old Testament the word “abomination” is primarily associated with idols and things connected with idols. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia speaks clearly on the word “abomination:” “… And among the objects described in the Old Testament as abomination in this sense are heathen gods such as Ashtroeth (Astarte), Chemosh, Milcom, the ‘abominations’ of the Zidonians (Phoenicians), Moabites, and Ammonites, respectively (2 Kings 23:13): and, everything connected with the worship of such gods. When Pharaoh, remonstrated against the departure of the children of Israel, exhorted them to offer sacrifice to their God in Egypt, Moses said; “Should we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians (i.e. the animals worshiped by them which were taboo, to ebhah, to the Israelites) before their eyes, and will they not stone us?’ (Exodus 8:26...)”

“It has to be noted that, not only the heathen idol itself, but anything offered to or associated with the idol, all paraphernalia of the forbidden cult, was called an ‘abomination,’ for it is ‘an abomination to Jah thy God’ (Deuteronomy 7:23-26). The Deuteronomic writer adds, in terms quite significant of the point of view and the spirit of the whole law: ‘neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thy house and thus become a thing set apart (herem: tabooed) like unto it: for it is a thing set apart’ (taboo). TO EBAHA, is even used as synonymous with ‘Idol’ or heathen deity, as in Isaiah 44:19; Deuteronomy 32:16; and especially Exodus 8:22ff.”

Therefore, the truth of the matter is that the context is one which concerns the worship of an idol God, and the costume which was worn in such worship. Both worship and costume of the worshiper were “abomination” (tabooed), by the God of the Hebrews, unto the Israelites.

A final word on the context of Deuteronomy 22:5 is appropriate here. Within the context of this passage there is the matter of:
  • “When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, ... (verse 8). 
  • “Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with diverse seeds: ... (verse 9); 
  • “Thou shalt not plow with an ox and ass together” (verse 10); 
  • “Thou shall not wear a garment of diverse sorts, as a woollen and linen together” (verse 11): and lastly, 
  • “Thou shall make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself” (verse 12).

An honest question is asked, and has been asked for tens of years, but no one wishes to answer – WHY DO WE PREACH ONLY PART OF THE CONTEXT?? The truth is: We have not ever considered the context! Very few “apostolic” (so-called) preachers have even a hint of understanding concerning the context of Deuteronomy 22.

To lift the scripture (any scripture) out of its context and arbitrarily ascribed to it some disconnected interpretation is wrong – dead wrong.

 A text without its context is a pretext.


THE LAW OF WITNESSES
Next, we moved to consider “The Law of Witnesses.” The Scriptures set forth this irreversible precept, “… At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses shall matter be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16).

Truth is important enough to the God of Truth that it will never be left with only a solitary witness. It was in the spirit of this “law” that Peter wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). Yet, when asked to support the common “apostolic” (sic) understanding of Deuteronomy 22:5 with even one companion passage, those who hold the prohibitive view of this text fail to present a whisper of a reply. Unto what segment of Scripture could they turn?

One could, with hope, look to 1 Timothy 2:9; to only have that hope disappointed. Here, Paul instructs the Christian woman concerning her attire. She is to dress modestly; she is to be sober and not forward in her appearance. In like manner, she is not to braid the hair with gold, pearls, nor dress in other expenses array. However, not a word is written concerning the “cut” or “pattern” of her garments. Again in 1 Peter 3:3 there is, yet, another opportunity for their interpretation of Deuteronomy 22:5 to receive a collaborating witness, and, thereby, become a valid dogma establisher; but, again, sadly they receive no support. Peter tells the Christian woman to emphasize the adorning of “the hidden man of the heart…” above the outward adorning of the physical person; but, alas, not one word about the cut or pattern of the garment to be warm.

It must be acknowledged by the honest Bible student that the New Testament is loudly silent concerning the cut or pattern of garment to be worn by the Christian man or woman. The honest student will, further, acknowledge that the watchword for the Christian attire is modesty. To preach beyond modesty of dress and require some particular cut or pattern of clothing is clearly to preach beyond the scripture. It is to speak where the Bible does not speak. One would think that if the type of garment worn by the Christian was a matter of concern with the apostolic Church of the first century that Paul or Peter would have made some mention of it – at the least. It is not as if they did not address the subject of attire, because they did. However, within this window of discussion, the cut - pattern -  style or type of garment was not thought important enough to mention; and yet  in many apostolic churches today it is the most important thing. It has even become a matter of fellow-ship. Friends, from what quarter comes such teaching? Certainly not from holy Scripture!

By the  apostolic law of scriptural interpretation called “The Law of Witnesses,” which we all adhere to, a doctrine cannot be established on a solitary text. Yet, many have done just that concerning Deuteronomy 22:5 in prohibiting Christian women from wearing slacks. When we condemn others for establishing doctrine on a solitary passage (such as Trinitarian water baptism - which is established solely on Matthew 28:19), then proceed to do the very same thing ourselves regarding the dress code, we demonstrate doctrinal dishonesty. This is conduct unbecoming the apostolic ministry.

It is not only wrong, but totally and completely dishonest to permit in oneself what is condemned in others!


THE LAW OF ADDRESSEE
The third law to be considered is the “Law of the Addressee.” When we speak of the “Law of the Addressee” we mean that: consideration MUST be given to whom a particular passage is written or addressed.

When we were children there was a song that was sung throughout our churches which one does not hear so much anymore; the song said, “Every promise in the book is mine, every chapter, every verse, and every line.” It appears to me some of the Lord's people have taken these words far too literally. Every verse and every line of the Bible was not written, nor is to be applied, to everyone. The Word of God clearly differentiates between three classes of people to whom the Scripture is addressed. The Bible has been written to the Jews, Gentiles and Christians. What has been written to one group should not – must not – be applied to any other group unless there is a clear reason to do so stated in the passage itself. The apostle Paul demonstrates this distinction in 1 Corinthians 10:32. Here the apostle instructs the church to “Give non-offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.”

When we read a scripture (any passage of Scripture), we should always ask ourselves: To whom is this speaking? In order to even begin an interpretation, the addressee must be established. If it is written to the Jew we would misunderstand its meaning if we apply it to the Gentiles or to the Church. On the other hand, if it was written to the Church we would be led astray if the message would be applied to the Jew or the Gentile. Likewise, what is written to the Gentile could not be properly interpreted if applied to the Jew or the Church. First Corinthians 10:32 clearly shows that the Jew is not the Gentile nor the Church; the Gentile is not the Jew or the Church; nor is the Church the Jew or the Gentile. Once we acknowledge that the Word of God has something to say to all three groups of people, the basic law of good manners should be observed; namely, “Do not read other peoples' mail.”

It remains only to be ask, “To whom is Deuteronomy 22:5 addressed?” Are Christians being addressed? No? Unto whom is this passage speaking? The answer, of course, is the Hebrews. Not only is this passage written to the Hebrews, but it is located in one of the five books of the law!

Now, in Colossians 2:14 Paul informs the Christians that the “ordinances” of the Law were blotted out by the blood of Christ. Before the scripture is quoted one must consider the word “ordinances.” The meaning of the word is remarkable in its ability to embrace Deuteronomy 22:5. Notice the meaning of the word “ordinances:” an authoritative decree or directive: an order. One would not attempt to deny that Deuteronomy 22:5 is an ordinance. The interest of all this to the Christian is that this ordinance was never repeated in the New Testament; on the contrary, the New Covenant did away with the ordinances of the law.

Concerning this very thing, one must take notice of the following passages:
  • “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the Cross” (Colossians 2:14).
  • “For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19). 
  • “And this word, yet once more, signify as the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain”(Hebrews 12:27).

It is a thing unthinkable, but nonetheless a reality, that: no matter that Deuteronomy 22:5 is an Old Testament ordinance, no matter that it is someone else’s mail, some open it – read it – and try to force its precepts on Christians who have been set free from the law. We might as well require every Christian to wear fringes on their shirts, and build banisters around the roofs of their houses – same chapter of the Bible.

To ignore the Law of Addressee is not only wrong and dishonest, it is also ignorant.


THE LAW OF BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
Lastly, permit me to consider the fourth, and final, law of interpretation addressed in this article; namely, the “Law of Biblical Example.” This will be the briefest examination of the lot. Simply this: Where is the “example” (anywhere in the Old or New Testament’s) of the way many apostolic ministries, and fellowships, teach and practice Deuteronomy 22:5; namely, prohibiting women from the wearing slacks?

What!?

There is no example; you say?

However, you will require it nonetheless; you say?

That is not only wrong, dishonest, and ignorant, but my friend it is also arrogant — which is, perhaps, the greatest sin of all.

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 IN CONCLUSION
In conclusion something must be said for consistency. It has been said, “O consistency, thou art a virtue.”

I marvel at the inconsistency among many who claim the apostolic faith in their practice of Deuteronomy 22:5. Most, if not all, limit the censorship on women to the wearing of slacks. Not much, if anything, is thought of a man’s shirt, coat, hat, socks, etc. If Deuteronomy 22:5 is to be understood in the traditional prohibitive sense, then all such garments must be censored. Inconsistency is the pitfall of every false doctrine. Something is inherently wrong with our reasoning and logic when we cannot be consistent with our own laws of biblical interpretation.

Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary unto salvation. There is no truth or doctrine, necessary for our justification, and everlasting salvation, but that is, or may be, drawn out of that fountain, and well of truth. Let us diligently search for the well of life, in the books of the New and Old Testaments, and not run to the stinking puddles of man’s imagination, for our justification and salvation.



Apostolically Speaking
☩ David Ignatius

Read other essays from the Bishop on the Christian's physical appearance:

Meaning of the Word, “Katastolē” 
(As it pertains to a woman’s attire) ⏤ 1 Timothy 2:9

Biblical Liturgical Dress Requirement For Men and Women

Christian Men and Beards

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