Mandating church traditions as biblical commands is wrong; Proverbs 22:28 and Matthew 18:18 do not support it

Winger examines each proof-text and finds neither supports dress mandates. Proverbs 22:28 ("do not move the ancient landmark") is wisdom literature, not a rule; its context is property boundaries given by God in the land division of Joshua — not a principle demanding preservation of grandfather's practices. Proverbs are not binding rules; they are probabilistic wisdom sayings. Matthew 18:18 ("whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven") is most likely about exorcism or possibly about the disciples' authority to declare forgiveness in the gospel — not pastoral authority over dress codes. Winger concludes: man-made rules taught as God-given rules is a serious problem Jesus himself opposed (Mark 7 / Matthew 15 pattern). Using scripture out of context to control people's lives is spiritual abuse. He warns this church may be doing the same with other teachings.