Calvin & Hops: September 2019

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Clothes Make the Man

Image result for church families dressed up 1950s

“Where is our gratefulness toward God for our clothing if in the sumptuousness of our apparel we both admire ourselves and despise others, if with its elegance and glitter we prepare ourselves for shameless conduct?'"

--John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

Thursday, 26 September 2019 from 1800-2000(ish)

Rotolo's (under 21 are welcome & encouraged!)

In today's American culture, the dress code for all things professional and private continues to be loosened and the church is no exception.

Questions:

What is the function of clothing to the believer in either sacred or secular functions?
Are clothing and appearance powerful non-verbal indicators of what one believes about one's character, values, and beliefs or simply expressions of taste/culture?
How does our clothing affect (or not) others?
Does our clothing choice at church matter to God?
How does modesty translate to clothing choices?
BONUS: Does what a pastor wears matter to God? To his congregation? To the lost?

Readings:

Dressing for Others (Art of Manliness: Brett & Kay McKay)
What Should We Wear to Church? (Desiring God: John Bloom)
A Biblical Theology of Clothing (A Place for Truth: Nick Batzig)
BONUS: Why Does the Pastor Wear a White Robe? (Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church [PCA]: Pastor Jeffery Meyers)

Scripture:

1 Timothy 2:9-10
Deuteronomy 22:5
Matthew 6:25-34
1 Samuel 16:7

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Why we're here

The Philosophy Behind C&H,

One of my all-time favorite quotations comes from John Wayne. “Life is tough…it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” Though not necessarily related to stupidity, there exists a common failure on the part of Christian men to humbly sharpen their reasoning skills and learn from one another. We, like much of the heathen world around us, fall into the trap of failing to ever challenge one another’s thinking either because of personal cowardice or for unreasonable fear of causing offense. While I do not advocate offense for its own sake, I do advocate the sharpening of one another in the bond of true Christian love, toward the end of excellence in spiritual warfare with the forces of darkness around us. Let us help each other “take every thought captive to Christ!”

Calvin and Hops is a monthly (generally) meeting of men from a variety of Christian churches in the Bossier City/Shreveport area in an informal setting to discuss a topic of general interest. Our primary objective is to grow in knowledge and wisdom and the ability to reason, for the sake of the gospel. Christ is Lord of all, and we need to be able to communicate that to others. This is true whether we are discussing Biblical canon or homosexual "marriage". But, I ask you, which is the more likely subject in your workplace? Which is the more likely "hook"with the unbelievers around you that you can use to lead them to the fear and wisdom of the Holy One?

I will establish the topic of the evening as indicated on this blog. However, the topic of the evening may be trumped by another “hot” topic if it seems appropriate. Please use information posted on this blog to prepare for meaningful discussion. Also, I’m always soliciting for topics of interest; just contact me using the blog contact form, email, text, phone call, carrier pigeon, or just telling me at church/work/other.

Please mark your calendars and feel free to pass this on to other men you think will be interested. If they want to be on the mailing list, they’ll need to send me an email address and a name.

In Him,

RTR

P.S. This is a men-only meeting, as we need to be free to discuss things as men, the way men do. However, for those of you with young sons, I highly encourage you to consider bringing them, as long as you deem it appropriate given their age and maturity level; we would also change the venue if this is an issue. I think that our sons can learn much from the accumulated wisdom of older men, teaching them to follow (and think about) Christ effectively).

How We Work

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

1. Don't bring it weak; participate, don't merely spectate

2) Have a thick skin

3) No personal attacks (ad hominem), either given or received

4) No sidebars...it's just plain rude.

5) No texting/phone use (unless you have young children/family that must reach you)

6) Define & clarify your terms - ambiguity serves both the speaker and listener poorly

7) Never, ever, walk out the door offended or offensive - keep short accounts and our spears aimed at the common enemy rather than each other

8) Always think about how this applies to you, your family, church, neighborhood, city, region, state, country, and world (roughly in that order)...change starts in the heart/head and works outwards.