Thursday, February 17, 2011

Gangra - Canon 13

If any woman, under pretense of asceticism, shall change her apparel and, instead of a woman’s accustomed clothing, shall put on that of a man, let her be anathema.

Distinctions between men and women are evident from creation onward.  As YHWH revealed himself to mankind, more of this was codified.  By the time God gave the Law to Moses, a definite rule came expressly forbidding the blending of genders by what is worn (Deut 22:5).  Further instruction is given through the remaining works of scripture and touch on issues such as order (1 Cor 11:2-16) and authority within the assembly of the elect (1 Cor 14:26-40; 1 Tim 2:8-15).  The point of canon instruction was not simply a matter of style or cultural norms but identifying sin and rebellion.  The woman who abandons what suits her, whether matters of natural law or revealed law, is living in rebellion of what the Lord has established.  And though the fullness of grace has been shown and given in Christ's atoning death, this does not give permission to leave behind what each sex was created to do.  Shame on any Christian group for desiring or promoting an egalitarian model for roles and authority within the family or local assembly.

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