Certainly the culture changed by 1986 and it is always…

Certainly the culture changed by 1986 and it is always in a state of change however the Declaration is built on the Bible and as such was that way in 1946.

What was changed in 1986? The Bible changed and was modified to fit the culture of the modern Church. The modern church had already made the scriptural modification and the COG would follow suit.

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; I Peter 3:3 KJV

“let it not be…” The NASV “must not be merely external”

The modern versions alter the meaning by saying “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment” NIV
“do not let your adorning be external-” ESV
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty” Living Bible

The modern versions exclude the outward adornment which is convenient to the modern church. They want to discard the old holiness with a new inner holiness exclusive of outward adornment!

The Bible has said “let it not…merely the outward adornment but let it be the inner adorning” That is not new it is old!

The Church of God has always taught this (well up to 1986) that externals are a reflection of the inner man. Now the Church of God says it is the inner man and externals are not important. It will take a few more years for the Declaration to be clear on this but for now “they” live by oral traditions that are superimposed over the written code.

“They” now have the modern versions to support them and the DoF will follow that lead.