I remember this statement from a book by an Orthodox priest: “My experience of vestments is that they’re humbling—a reminder of how unworthy I am to minister in Christ’s name.”
Mike Winger has done a lot of excellent research, like what he’s done on gender egalitarianism and some of his bible studies. Yet, I have often noticed he has some episodes of cringy Evanjelly stuff that doesn’t reflect quite as well. Over the last few months I’ve been turned onto vestment for all the reasons you mentioned (the embodiment of sanctity/set-apartness, the symbolism, the OT continuity, etc) and also for a historical reason, that Protestant ministers WERE robed for centuries, still are, and this only fell away with the rise of the phenomenon of egalitarian Evangelicalism which emphasized suits and button-downs (then/now plaid and jeans). I’ve commented on some of your writings on the egalitarian idea, and I agree that it’s a decivilizing phenomenon that has no place in the natural order, that God has established authorities and hierarchies (most basically w/ the family and father). I have an essay on the back burner, should be out in the next 1-2 weeks, where I take that very verse you mention about the Israelite priesthood and demonstrate an important point about it: it, too, was universally applied to all Israelites, YET within Israel’s universal priesthood was the special priesthood of the Levites (Aaronites); likewise, Peter takes the very same verse, applies it universally to the Church, YET Paul complements Peter by detailing the structure of the Church’s special priesthood (elders = presbyteroi = priests) in the Pastoral Epistles. A priesthood still exists, not one of burning animal sacrifices before the ineffable Yahweh of Israel, but one of receiving the once and for all sacrifice of the Incarnate Christ Jesus of Nazareth.
I was introduced to this rich understanding by Uriseo Brito. Very well written essay.
Uri is sharp!
I remember this statement from a book by an Orthodox priest: “My experience of vestments is that they’re humbling—a reminder of how unworthy I am to minister in Christ’s name.”
Yes. I really see it as a stripping away of oneself for the sake of embodying an ideal or calling.
I'm a Reformed Baptist and I agree with this.
Nice!
Good work. I laugh when people use the “it’s a nEw cOvEnAnT”
Thank you, Robert!
You’re welcome
Mike Winger has done a lot of excellent research, like what he’s done on gender egalitarianism and some of his bible studies. Yet, I have often noticed he has some episodes of cringy Evanjelly stuff that doesn’t reflect quite as well. Over the last few months I’ve been turned onto vestment for all the reasons you mentioned (the embodiment of sanctity/set-apartness, the symbolism, the OT continuity, etc) and also for a historical reason, that Protestant ministers WERE robed for centuries, still are, and this only fell away with the rise of the phenomenon of egalitarian Evangelicalism which emphasized suits and button-downs (then/now plaid and jeans). I’ve commented on some of your writings on the egalitarian idea, and I agree that it’s a decivilizing phenomenon that has no place in the natural order, that God has established authorities and hierarchies (most basically w/ the family and father). I have an essay on the back burner, should be out in the next 1-2 weeks, where I take that very verse you mention about the Israelite priesthood and demonstrate an important point about it: it, too, was universally applied to all Israelites, YET within Israel’s universal priesthood was the special priesthood of the Levites (Aaronites); likewise, Peter takes the very same verse, applies it universally to the Church, YET Paul complements Peter by detailing the structure of the Church’s special priesthood (elders = presbyteroi = priests) in the Pastoral Epistles. A priesthood still exists, not one of burning animal sacrifices before the ineffable Yahweh of Israel, but one of receiving the once and for all sacrifice of the Incarnate Christ Jesus of Nazareth.
Well said, Evan! This is what I was also getting at. I look forward to reading what you write.