Earrings on Men

[BobVigneault]

Scripture says that men should look like men and women should look like women and that is to a large extent based on the prevailing culture.

If culture should turn the other way then you could have unecessary holes in your body.

Therefore, I keep going back to the clip ons. I'm going to start selling Christian oriented clip ons for men who feel the need to give in to the peer pressure.

If you want to have pretty ears like mother then buy one of my clip ons. Is it the earring or the piercing you want?

Join my organization called MAMCO. Men for the Advancement of Manly Clip-ons.

Should the culture embrace masculinity again, you'll be ready.

I need to find a famous sports figure to start wearing my clip ons and start a rage.

 

[raekwon]

To conclude, the same line of logical reasoning can be found in men’s earings;
---men are not to dress as women
---earings is acceptable exclusively for women
---therefore men may not use it.

The flaw in this logic is the second line. By whose standard are earrings exclusively for women? Maybe at certain times or certain cultures, but modern American culture isn't one of those. And there is no Biblical support for the notion that earrings are for women only. So I see no reason to believe earrings are exclusively for women, other than individual opinion. Therefore, I so no reason why men shouldn't wear them.

To be fair, there are plenty of reasons for men not to wear earrings, depending on the man and depending on the circumstances . . . just like there are reasons for men not to wear jeans, not to shave their heads, not to eat meat, etc etc etc. Wisdom and prudence come into heavy play with things like this.

But yes, I agree that there's no blanket biblical injunction against any of these things, nor do any of them necessarily indicate vanity or a lack of sobriety of mind.

 

[Mushroom]

I believe more references to jewelry can be found attributed to women in the bible than to men. Jewelry just seems natural to me, to be implied as a women's thing than to men because that's what it seems to me biblically speaking. Few examples:
1Tim 2:9
1Pet 3:3

Notice that in just the two above examples, the women were being directed not the men.

The verse doesn't say that it is wrong for women to wear them at all, but does imply that during worship and/or praise setting, they were the ones not to wear them.(v.12)

Since men weren't addressed it seems to me that men did not wear them, that they were acceptable (and exclusively) WOMEN'S ATTIRE. Therefore, for men to wear what was once (exclusively in my opinion)women's attire in history, today, and use the reasoning that it is now acceptable men's attire, is a bit weak.

It is weak because you can then use this kind of reasoning for just about anything. For example, in American culture, lipstick is acceptable (and exclusively so) for women. If all the men of the west-coast of the United States start using lipstick, and people start to say, “There is no prohibition in the bible”, well then yes It’s true you can’t find it explicitly opposed to biblical orthopraxy. All you can use against it would be that:
---men are not to dress as women
---lipstick is acceptable exclusively for women
---therefore men may not use it.
I think that the problem here is that between the time of the 2nd and 3rd points, there has not been enough of a questioning about the 1st point that it has become normal culture today.

To conclude, the same line of logical reasoning can be found in men’s earings;
---men are not to dress as women
---earings is acceptable exclusively for women
---therefore men may not use it.
If no one says anything about men wearing lipstick long enough, it will become acceptable and the bible will not be consulted on the verse, “men are not to dress as women”.
I feel that it is never too late for Christians to always reform and go to the meaning behind the bible. I don't claim to know it perfectly, I only say that this is what the bible seems to indicate to me. I may be wrong, but it is the simplest reading that I see. Even if our culture has been wrong for the past 50 years, I believe men should go to the original intent.

Please excuse my poor English.

Ok, this is getting out of hand. I can be convinced to put away the earrings, but now you're telling me I have to stop using my lipstick!?

Next thing you'll be saying I can't wear my muave pumps out of the house, and that will be the last straw!



Pierce history: "Wrong" ear pierced at age 15 by sister and friend while passed out under the effects of alcohol and drugs. Left ear pierced 2 weeks later in a similar state by self. Both ears became disgustingly infected, had the appearance of two red Christmas tree ornaments hanging from head for two more weeks. Yanked out silly "roach clip" earrings never to try again, but have the scars that used to freak out girls and barbers, which I guess wouldn't anymore, but my wife cuts my hair now and that solves both those problems. My kids have a lot of fun with it, though.

 

[Stephen]

I seem to remember a saying, something like "Left is right, right is wrong" to help people remember. The right ear?

Sorry, I did not see your response to Amazing Grace. If you are going to wear an earring, never wear it in the right ear.

Well i ahve holes in both, so does that make me a metrosexual or something? Or just stupid!!!!

Just a man with holes in his ears. It is ok as long as you don't have holes in your head

 

[Stephen]

I remember my brother coming home one day, at 14 or 15, with an earring in one ear. My dad ignored my brother, turned to me and said "you know Eric there are two types of men who wear earrings, pirates and homosexuals, and you don't see too many pirates around any more." My brother turned on his heals and walked out of the room. We never did see that earring again.

In all seriousness though, earrings aren't my thing, but since there is nothing unbiblical about them their use should be a matter of personal taste and liberty.

 

[shackleton]

Do they have to be pierced earrings? I love to rummage through mother's clip ons and wear some of hers when I just want to feel pretty. I'm so grateful that America got feminized. I can cry, wear a shoulder bag, make up, clip ons, gold chains and evening gowns.


Ok, of course I was joking. I don't wear clip ons.

I guess we are to take from that that you do in fact wear evening gowns? On what occasions to you wear them and what color best brings out your eyes?

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

When I see a man wearing an earring (singular), my first thought is he might be making a statement that he is not part of the establishment / straight / suited / uptight culture, and identifies with some "counter-culture" coolness of sorts. But then I realize this may be way off, and prefer to see who the man is at heart by talking with him. One just can't make a call by judging the "outward appearance."

I realize also that there is, even in the wider Christian community, a strong bias against the counterculture, especially the "Woodstock generation" of yore, where earrings and such were common. Anyone desiring to see an essay critiquing that view, PM me and I'll send them, "Can There Anything Good Come Out Of Woodstock?"

Manliness has nothing to do with physique, physical prowess, dress codes, cultural fashions, but with a heart true to one's King (the king) and one's wife, a willingness to suffer for the sake of loyalty and integrity, and having the ability to love, speak the truth, and be gracious in the face of opposition and persecution.

Manliness also pertains to the maintaining of one's dignity through awareness of the Son of God's favor, even while being degraded, humiliated, and shunned. It is carrying oneself in the Spirit of Christ.

The Kingdom I am part of is comprised of many cultures, peoples, and even kingdoms. There is great diversity of taste and manner among this diverse yet unified people. I do not accept that one style is the style of the Kingdom. There is one heart and one spirit as we all partake of the Spirit of Christ.

There is to be no cultural imperialism by one dominant group over another, not in Heaven's kingdom! Our standing is not by our outward appearance, if it be modest and decent, but by the love of our Sovereign -- our Father and our Brother.

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

Scripture says that men should look like men and women should look like women and that is to a large extent based on the prevailing culture.

If culture should turn the other way then you could have unecessary holes in your body.

Therefore, I keep going back to the clip ons. I'm going to start selling Christian oriented clip ons for men who feel the need to give in to the peer pressure.

If you want to have pretty ears like mother then buy one of my clip ons. Is it the earring or the piercing you want?

Join my organization called MAMCO. Men for the Advancement of Manly Clip-ons.

Should the culture embrace masculinity again, you'll be ready.

I need to find a famous sports figure to start wearing my clip ons and start a rage.

Pierce history: "Wrong" ear pierced at age 15 by sister and friend while passed out under the effects of alcohol and drugs. Left ear pierced 2 weeks later in a similar state by self. Both ears became disgustingly infected, had the appearance of two red Christmas tree ornaments hanging from head for two more weeks. Yanked out silly "roach clip" earrings never to try again, but have the scars that used to freak out girls and barbers, which I guess wouldn't anymore, but my wife cuts my hair now and that solves both those problems. My kids have a lot of fun with it, though.

ROFLMHO

H stands for hiney

 

[Pilgrim's Progeny]

ROFLMHO

H stands for hiney

Never seen that one before that makes me want to ROFLMHO

 

[Archlute]

Really? That's "our" culture?

I don't buy it. Actually, I have a tough time buying any sort of argument that claims that we live in some sort of singular culture. The fact is, culture is splintered along all sorts of lines -- generational, geographic, racial, gender, political, affinity, and the list can go on and on. Now, of course, Christ reigns over all cultures, and scriptural commands and mandates apply to all cultures at all times, but . . . I have a really tough time believing that whether or not a man "should" wear earrings if he wishes is one of them.

Also, the idea that earrings are necessarily "women's jewelry" doesn't make much sense to me. It's like saying denim jeans are necessarily "men's pants". There are certainly some earrings that are designed for women, but there are others designed for men.

Really? Show me a consensus or practice among any major social class or ethnic group in America before the post-WWII era that would have accepted men's earrings.

I think you are reading too much cheap revisionist history of the kind they push in modern university studies now that loves to revel in a the supposed diversity and pluriformity of culture/sexual orientation/etc in reconstructing historic circumstances and events. I remember taking a class on 19th century Western America whose main thesis was that prostitutes (that class of women who are "woefully under appreciated and under represented in our history books") were nearly the sole reason that the "West was Won". Just because one may have been born or raised in a modern American city where the culture has fragmented, and in many cases degenerated, does not mean that things have always been that way for large portions of the population, revisionist history aside.

If you want to talk about "your" culture, could you really say that your forebears going multiple generations back would have accepted the wearing of what was commonly understood to be women's jewelry by the men of their day? I really doubt you could substantiate that.

To be honest, I would most likely not give a positive vote at presbytery for a potential minister or ruling elder who wore earrings, because I believe that such dress represents a personal vanity, and a lack of sober-mindedness and respectability which is required by the Apostle Paul in emplacing elders among the congregation. Feel free to disagree, but these things are important in the representation of the church to the world, according to apostolic command, and no amount of post modern/emergent church/cultural relativism will change that.

Wow. I guess it's a good thing that God knew who and who not to put on the examining commission when He called me to the office of Elder! I find it interesting that, substituting a few words in that last paragraph, you've used a very similar argument to those who'd say that they'd never vote for an elder who used alcohol. VERY similar. But I don't know; maybe you feel the same way about alcohol.

Anyway, it's pretty obvious that we're going to disagree fundamentally on a few things, but I just want to make sure we're actually addressing what the other is saying instead of "arguing around" eachother. You've been a Christian for almost as long as I've been alive, so I definitely appreciate your wisdom and education. Still, it seems to me that we're talking about different things when we talk about "culture". For instance, I'm having a tough time understanding where the pre-WWII era even figures in this discussion. Sure, it's interesting from an historical perspective, but we're talking about the propriety of earrings on men in 2008, in "our culture". All I'm saying is that the minute one says "our culture" in a discussion like this, anything after that point is useless without an agreed-upon definition of what "our culture" is. For instance, there's a huge difference in the culture that my church largely ministers to (urban, younger, bohemian, artistic, highly educated) and the culture that our sister PCA church fifteen miles away ministers to (suburban, older, more "working class", but also educated). We have a common bond in Christ and in the reformed faith, but the cultures of our churches are not the same. I'm not about to tell their elders that their khakis and polos or suits and ties are inappropriate (unless in jest). Neither should they tell ours that our jeans, goatees, Converse sneakers, or earrings are.

[I'm honestly a bit baffled that this is being argued as an issue of "morality" (unless, of course, we're going the "everything is an issue of morality" route).]

Hello Rae,

I haven't read the rest of this thread since our posts earlier last week, and I will not probably do so, as the few that I glanced at did not seem to be very profitable. I did however want to address your statement made regarding this argument.

The use of alcohol (which I am not against), and the wearing of earrings are two completely separate arguments. One is something that is consumed, and regarding which there are both positive statements made, as well as warnings regarding its use, given in scripture. The other is mentioned only as a very peripheral issue, and that being largely descriptive, in the pages of Scripture, but their propriety in our culture may be inferred by deduction regarding moral issues in general.

When a man wears earrings in our culture it is a practice that is engaged in either to beautify oneself (which should be the exclusive domain of women) or to draw attention to one's level of "cool" (thus placing other's focus unduly upon us), or to make a statement of rebellion against the establishment/disregard of conformity/etc. (obviously in disregard to the 5th commandment) None of those things should be part of a mature Christian man's life, especially a man seeking the office of elder. Elders are to represent the Church to the world, and are in doing so to show the aforementioned respectability and sober-mindedness. I would think it a stretch to argue that the wearing of earrings enhances either one's respectability or appearance of sober-mindedness. It certainly is more conducive to one's showing off his appearance, rather than his showing forth of Christ, which should be the goal of a mature Christian man.

Even if we do not want to label it a clear and positive sin, I would have no problem in calling it a mark of immaturity and a lack of discretion. I would be bothered if I came into a church where the men who were supposed to be most advanced in the Christian life were standing before the congregation with earrings. I would also then have to take the time to explain to my children why the church was unwise/undiscerning in electing a man to the leadership of the congregation who not only engaged in the practice of wearing earrings, but also sought to defend it. I have no problem as a Christian father letting my girls know that they will never be allowed to date a man with earrings, and/or body piercings, and that until he saw fit to make a permanent removal of those items, they might as well look else where. I do this not because of an outward legalism, but because it says something to me of a man's character and level of thinking.

The above is not limited to earrings alone. Men who spike/bleach their hair, wear "loud" clothing, or do anything of that nature, although they may be sincere as babes in Christ, are not of the level of maturity and discretion to be in the eldership. These are all practices understood through observation and experience to be "statement making" habits of dress.

Drinking alcohol, to return to that issue, would also be condemnable in a man if his drinking habits caused him to appear as one who was unwise or immature in his lifestyle. However, drinking alcohol can be done in a wise and moderate manner, whereas the wearing of earrings on men, by definition, is never a moderate practice, but always one designed to draw attention for one reason or another.

It is also a guess to say that "God knew what he was doing when the presbyters called me into the eldership". Churches can make poor decisions, and the PCA is certainly not exempt from this. It's like arguing (and please don't take this wrong, as if I am putting your election to serve on this same level) that "God must have known what he was doing when he put Joel Osteen/Joyce Meyers/Kenneth Copeland/et al into the ministry". Just because one is there does not necessarily display divine approval in any or all areas.

I believe that you are a sincere brother, and one with worthy desires. Please do not take the above comments as a personal attack, as they are convictions that I would apply across the board, and not just against your personal practice. But I would also ask you to rethink your practice, and what it may say to others in the body, and especially to those youths who may look to you as an excuse to engage in defiant behavior toward their parents.

Grace and peace be with you in your labors.

 

[raekwon]

Hey Pr. Myer. Thanks for the rejoinder.

First, let me say that I appreciate the manner in which you've carefully thought things through here. Though I obviously think that some of your conclusions are wrong, I appreciate the fact that you don't appear to be coming at this from an angle that's strictly cultural, but you're instead considering where all of this fits in the context of the Scriptural requirements for eldership. Of course, that's what I'd expect from any duly called and ordained under-shepherd of Christ's flock, but it's refreshing to see in action. Too many times, Christians (even pastors... ESPECIALLY pastors, in some cases) simply point to tradition and/or the "good ol' days" and attempt to pass it off as some sort of scriptural mandate. Glad to see that not happening here.

Still, I find it troubling that you find that a man who appears to be qualified and called to hold the office of elder should be dismissed from consideration because of a piece of jewelry. Now, I understand at this point you may be saying that the wearing of an earring (or two) would show such a man to not be qualified in your estimation, as you believe that it would show a lack of sober-mindedness. As a matter of fact, I can understand such thinking if you have to make a judgment based on appearances only.

But let's take a situation like mine . . .

Say you have a man in your church. He appears to meet all of the requirements for eldership. He loves his wife and his children, has made sound decisions that have contributed to a peaceful, Christ-centrered home, has been a believer for years, is of good repute with those within and without the church, teaches well, is theologically astute, is well-read, loves the Gospel, has been shepherding exercising leadership in the congregation already through various avenues, and aspires to the office of elder. He also happens to wear a small earring in each ear. When the time comes to elect new elders and this man expresses his desire to help you shepherd the flock, are the earrings really going to make a difference? With the above factors, I don't understand how such a position is biblically tenable, and in fact, it might be a violation of the Regulative Principle. One cannot require a called, qualified man to look or dress in a certain way in order to fill office without such a violation. (And you may lose a valuable leader in your church.)

I understand that in your estimation, a man wearing earrings must be trying to "make a statement", either about how cool he is, how non-conformist he is (which, by the way, is not necessarily a disregard of the 5th Commandment), or how attractive he is. That probably was largely the case in the prevailing cultures of a few decades ago, and it's certainly still true for many men today. I'm just not convinced that such is largely the case anymore. I can't speak for any other man, but as for me . . . I just personally like the way they look, much like I like the way a certain shirt, pair of shoes, or necktie looks. If this is vanity, then I suppose I'm off to pick up some burlap sacks to wear around.

As far as some perceived danger of youths using me as an excuse to defy their parents . . . first, I can't think of many parents in our church who would have a problem with their boys wearing earrings. I could be wrong. Second, it's my hope that my manner of life will be what kids want to emulate, not my fashion sense (if I even have one). If a kid wants to poke holes in his ears after his parents say "no" and he tries to say "well, Rae has them and he's an ELDER", my hope would be that the parents would have the sense to say something like "Rae's also a grown man with a wife, a daughter, a job, a house, and two cars. You have a bike and an XBox that we paid for. Be quiet."

Anyway . . . I know that I probably wouldn't get a second look for the office of elder in 99% of the reformed churches in America, and for more factors than the earrings. I'm thankful that the Lord saw fit to bring me to a Gospel-centered church that's willing to give leadership opportunities to guys that might not (or might) look like leaders, but exhibit leadership qualities, love for the Gospel, and love for God's people.

Grace and peace to you as well.

 

[raekwon]

So, I'm thinking about making a thread about the vanity of wearing neckties.

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

So, I'm thinking about making a thread about the vanity of wearing neckties.

I don't wear a knecklesses, neckties, rings, or a watch. I don't own any of these either. I am just a good ole Redneck who is known by God and has three sons to adorn my life.

 

[PastorTim]

sorry to say I am a little behind the times. I still haven't caught up to the need for women to add ornaments to themselves. Can we improve on what God has designed, hmmm?

 

[Reepicheep]

Individual expressions through certain things like jewelry, hair style, clothing, seems completely within the realm of Christian Liberty. Clothing can get more dicey, but in general, one's particular taste expressed in the same is no big deal in my mind.

As I think about individual expressions in such areas, I am reminded (seriously) of the various Westminster divines. Some wore the English wig things. Some didn't. Some grew full beards, others, like Richard Baxter, had a sweet soul patch (see pic in my above post). For a guy to have a soul patch he must be careful to groom it. This denotes taking careful time about a certain style one is sporting. The Puritans expressed themselves this way, I just don't see how similar expressions should ever be a reason for one to judge another as immature or the like. Sure, a dude with an earring might be immature...but I've met many immature guys who look just like all these pictures you guys use as avatars or whatever their called.

Just one man's opinion. I think I'll go get a mohawk....

 

[servantofmosthigh]

Amen!!!

Bookslover,
Are you wanting us to validate your getting an earring?
For what it's worth, I have one but I haven't worn it for several years.

No. I'm just curmudgeonly enough to think that, in our culture, earrings should be for females...

I wholeheartedly agree with you there, brother! I grew up most of my childhood and teenage years in San Francisco. And the ONLY men who wore earrings in San Francisco were homosexuals.

Also, homosexual men in prison wore their pants halfway-down the buttocks to tell the other male prisoners about their status.

Isn't it sad how both of these historically homosexual originations have now become fashionable to men?

 

[Pilgrim's Progeny]

Bookslover,
Are you wanting us to validate your getting an earring?
For what it's worth, I have one but I haven't worn it for several years.

No. I'm just curmudgeonly enough to think that, in our culture, earrings should be for females...

I wholeheartedly agree with you there, brother! I grew up most of my childhood and teenage years in San Francisco. And the ONLY men who wore earrings in San Francisco were homosexuals.

Also, homosexual men in prison wore their pants halfway-down the buttocks to tell the other male prisoners about their status.

Isn't it sad how both of these historically homosexual originations have now become fashionable to men?

Sadly, this can be said of many things across the board as far as fashion goes, for men and women alike, historically taboo fashions are now the norm, even in Christian circles.

 

[Grymir]

I wholeheartedly agree with you there, brother! I grew up most of my childhood and teenage years in San Francisco. And the ONLY men who wore earrings in San Francisco were homosexuals.

Also, homosexual men in prison wore their pants halfway-down the buttocks to tell the other male prisoners about their status.

Isn't it sad how both of these historically homosexual originations have now become fashionable to men?

I didn't know about the pants thing. (So true too)

The OP was talking about older people getting earings. I really saw a 60 yr old woman with a nose ring dressed in skimpy cloths. It really made me think like the OP did. Why? I don't get it. (Although I wish I could still grow my hair long like I did when I was 20, but being a business manager, it wouldn't look right anymore either, sigh). I have wondered if the people are trying to relive their younger years, ignore death, or are trying to fit in with the world's culture (or trying to be a youth pastor at Rob Bell's church )

 

[shackleton]

That "pants half way down" thing is very interesting, especially when you take into account that young people walk around like that thinking that they are cool.

Other fashion statements stolen from prison life, spider web on the elbow tattoos, (which means you've been in the joint), a lot of younger people are walking around with these and other various tattoos trying to give others the impression that they are tough.