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Jumpstarter 7 of 10

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The Life of the Early Christians  /  Modest Dress & Cosmetics  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 7
Clement describes women being “entirely covered” and veiled in public and notes that some Christian practices later resembled what we now associate with Muslims; what does that historical detail do to your instincts about modesty being merely “following cultural norms,” and how might it challenge the way you define “legalism”?
Another way to ask: Clement says some Christian women were fully covered and wore veils in public, like what many people now connect with Muslims. How does that affect the idea that modesty is just “whatever the culture says,” and how does it affect what you call “legalism”?

Direct Answer Bercot uses the historical detail to argue that biblical modesty can’t be reduced to whatever a culture accepts, since Christian standards once looked radically different from surrounding norms and even resemble later Muslim customs. It challenges defining “legalism” as simply having concrete practices; he treats Clement’s strictness as counsel applying biblical principles, not as salvation-by-rules.

Support from Transcript:

  • Clement: “Let her be entirely covered unless she happens to be at home… she will never fall who puts before her eyes modesty and her veil… it is becoming for her to pray veiled.”
  • Bercot says these quotes shocked him and showed New Testament modesty requires “something more than just following the customs and fashions of the times.”
  • He notes that “dress customs… we associate with Muslims today were actually once practiced by Christians… centuries before Muhammad was ever even born.”
  • He clarifies: “I’m not suggesting that we all have to follow Clement… He wasn’t laying down laws, rather… advice and counsel.”
  • He observes European standards were “not as strict,” yet still “very, very modest,” showing application varies while principles remain.
  • He contrasts early Christianity “before it had become so commingled with the world,” implying cultural conformity can be spiritual decline.
Discussion Follow-ups When you hear “veil” or “entirely covered,” do you react more against the practice or against the principle behind it? How can a church pursue concrete obedience without making human counsel equal to God’s law?

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