While I'm not a fan of the prosperity gospel, I will say that for me, part of the reason for dressing up for church (or wherever) isn't about God. It's about you. It's about headspace. It's the same reason that they made the athletes dress up at school before games. The clothes you're wearing affect your attitude, and for a lot of people, dressing up makes them more serious and respectful. You can worship just as well naked or in jeans as you can in a frilly dress, just as you don't really need the physical structure of a church to worship. But the physical trappings help people create the mental space they need. There is something to be said for the way that even just the act of putting on those clothes helps a person transition from their everyday role into the role of priest or worshipper. If you've ever worn a uniform or acted in a play, you can understand how the clothes you wear affect your behavior.
If you've ever read The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, I always think of that when I read something like this. The idea that if you were saved, you'd behave in XYZ way, so you act that way in order to give the outward appearance of being saved, which is why the Puritans were so keen on hard work.
I can understand, from an evangelical point of view, that prosperity is a good recruiting tool: "look at what my God has given me; he'll give it to you too!"
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28/9/10 11:11 (UTC)If you've ever read The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, I always think of that when I read something like this. The idea that if you were saved, you'd behave in XYZ way, so you act that way in order to give the outward appearance of being saved, which is why the Puritans were so keen on hard work.
I can understand, from an evangelical point of view, that prosperity is a good recruiting tool: "look at what my God has given me; he'll give it to you too!"