Women’s Lib has invaded almost every aspect of our lives. Wherever we go, we are reminded by many that women were created on a level equal with that of man. All of you will agree with me when I say that this statement has no biblical background, I hope. This is what we believe. But what is said and what is done are often two different things.

Paul instructed the New Testament women in the church to be obedient to the wishes of their husbands. When they dressed, it was not in the latest fads of fashions, but they “clothed themselves with humility”. They realized that it wasn’t outward adornment that mattered, but the adornment of the heart. Fashion was slow to change in the church in that they were usually the last to cast off the old and the last to put on the new.

But the women of the world are no longer happy with their position in the world and surprisingly enough, in the church. Or maybe it’s not surprising. The “Women’s Rights” movement arose, contesting that women were no longer inferior to men and in many cases were superior. This expression of equality on the part of women even carried so far that women began to dress like men.

Now don’t get me wrong! Pants, in particular, for women have a definite function and place in the world. I’m not writing about that; that doesn’t concern me now. But something else does.

Although pants have their place in the world, they have no place in the church. This “fad” has carried over from many more liberal churches to our churches. These women argue up and down that pants have their place in church; but I believe they do not.

Even though these women may not consciously realize it, they are in fact competing with men. How terrible this must be in the sight of God, who made the beautiful woman to fill a special pace in the church. And now women are competing for equality with men and are unhappy with the position which God has given them in the church.

These women may argue that they want nothing more than to be comfortable. But the next logical step after this is that of women holding office in the church. How can we reconcile our truly Reformed beliefs to let this serious error invade our churches? Other churches have found in the psat that the old saying. “If given an inch they’ll take a mile” holds true. If we give the first inch now, soon we will be able to distinguish no difference between our churches and the world.

I hope that the words of Peter can conclude this issue. “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”