Jewelry, for Christians or not?

[scottlittlefield17]

9I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Who do you explain this? Does it not say that women are not to wear gold, pearls or expensive clothes? I've studied into the "braided hair" part and realized that what Paul seemed to be targeting was that women in those days used to braid jewels and fancy decorations into their hair. By the way, its been awhile i know. I've been super busy and didn't have the time to put into here. But here I am again, much to the consternation of some I suppose.

[Jonah]

Yes, they should because a lot of us Jews sell jewelry. lol. Or as the Appalachians in our town say "jewry". No really. A shop in our town had a sign: "Jewry Sale."

But, seriously. Yes. Paul shouldn't get his way on this. This is purely his personal opinion out of his own issues. Where is Jesus's jewelry sermon?

In general, anyone could make a case for not wallowing in luxury goods...as happened in upper class Roman culture...or American. But that doesn't mean you have to go Amish to be in good with the Lord.

You could intentionally make jewelry into a religious thing by buying crafts from economically challenged people. A necklace from a sheltered workshop of mentally challenged folks would look really good on you.

[SpiritQuickens]

9I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Who do you explain this? Does it not say that women are not to wear gold, pearls or expensive clothes? I've studied into the "braided hair" part and realized that what Paul seemed to be targeting was that women in those days used to braid jewels and fancy decorations into their hair. By the way, its been awhile i know. I've been super busy and didn't have the time to put into here. But here I am again, much to the consternation of some I suppose.

Wow, this is eerily relevant for me. My grandpa just gave me a white gold sapphire ring with diamonds tonight, and it's been on my mind. I personally have no idea. Paul seems to be warning against being ostentatious, which I'm not when it comes to outer wear (I'm actually quite the unkempt slob).

[scottlittlefield17]

But, seriously. Yes. Paul shouldn't get his way on this. This is purely his personal opinion out of his own issues. Where is Jesus's jewelry sermon?

That comment is assuming that the whole of Scripture is not relevant and that the writers of the Bible inserted there own personal opinions on matters. If you take that view than the whole Bible should be thrown out the window because how do we know what is personal opinion and what is truth. There was not one debatable phrase in your post.

In general, anyone could make a case for not wallowing in luxury goods...as happened in upper class Roman culture...or American. But that doesn't mean you have to go Amish to be in good with the Lord.

Very true, however is he saying "wallowing in luxury" or is he saying not. Looks like not to me. I am not Amish, the Amish would say that I am not saved.

Paul seems to be warning against being ostentatious, which I'm not when it comes to outer wear

May I ask where you get that idea? What does "not" mean? If I said, "I do not want you to buy anything at the store" does that mean you can buy some stuff as long as you don't go overboard?

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes."

There is another quote, from Peter this time. It says the same thing in a little different words.

[SpiritQuickens]

But, seriously. Yes. Paul shouldn't get his way on this. This is purely his personal opinion out of his own issues. Where is Jesus's jewelry sermon?

That comment is assuming that the whole of Scripture is not relevant and that the writers of the Bible inserted there own personal opinions on matters. If you take that view than the whole Bible should be thrown out the window because how do we know what is personal opinion and what is truth. There was not one debatable phrase in your post.

In general, anyone could make a case for not wallowing in luxury goods...as happened in upper class Roman culture...or American. But that doesn't mean you have to go Amish to be in good with the Lord.

Very true, however is he saying "wallowing in luxury" or is he saying not. Looks like not to me. I am not Amish, the Amish would say that I am not saved.

Paul seems to be warning against being ostentatious, which I'm not when it comes to outer wear

May I ask where you get that idea? What does "not" mean? If I said, "I do not want you to buy anything at the store" does that mean you can buy some stuff as long as you don't go overboard?

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes."

There is another quote, from Peter this time. It says the same thing in a little different words.

No idea. I'm gonna talk with my pastor about it though, and I'll get back to you on that. Frankly, I don't want to wear such a beautiful and expensive ring because I don't want to get mugged.

[scottlittlefield17]

No idea. I'm gonna talk with my pastor about it though, and I'll get back to you on that.

Cool, I'll be curious to see what he says. If he disagrees (which he probably will) it would be sweet if you could get him on the website. I would love to debate it with him personally.

[Jonah]

Yes. Personal opinion is in all scriptures of every religion. And that's okay. The question is whether or not people can value opinion without deifying it.

In the Hebrew Scriptures you have the opinion of various groups competing with each other according to their particular traditon. In rabbinic Judaism you have various schools of thought of different rabbis competing against each other.

So. With Paul...he's making a point in response to a particular reality in his context. There is a point in every culture where people pass from everyday average use of resources to self-worshipping excess. The question is then where is that line in YOUR culture and YOUR context. So. Paul is really raising a good point and legitimate issue. If you fundamentalize his point out of Paul's own historical context...which would be an academic excercise, you kind of screw up the present task of getting at what, now, is excessive.

What, now, constitutes "expensive clothes"?

[scottlittlefield17]

Yes. Personal opinion is in all scriptures of every religion. And that's okay. The question is whether or not people can value opinion without deifying it.

In the Hebrew Scriptures you have the opinion of various groups competing with each other according to their particular traditon. In rabbinic Judaism you have various schools of thought of different rabbis competing against each other.

So. With Paul...he's making a point in response to a particular reality in his context. There is a point in every culture where people pass from everyday average use of resources to self-worshipping excess. The question is then where is that line in YOUR culture and YOUR context. So. Paul is really raising a good point and legitimate issue. If you fundamentalize his point out of Paul's own historical context...which would be an academic excercise, you kind of screw up the present task of getting at what, now, is excessive.

Again, where do you get the idea that he is talking in a historical or cultural sense? In effect can't you "historicalize" and "culturize" all commands in scripture?

[Jonah]

Well, yeah. But, that's not a problem. There is this thing called common sense. Hair fashions change, but generally you can count on most folks not wanting to be murdered.

Or do you propose that Paul had foreknowledge of Lady Ga Ga?

[scottlittlefield17]

Lets get to the basics. What could the reason be for this command? Jewelry has absolutely no purpose but to be sexually attractive. Is that not why prostitutes used to be called "painted ladies"? I already covered the "braided hair" part. I am talking about jewelry.