Headcoverings, Part I
Christians should spend most of their energy loving their fellowmen and building God's kingdom. Though I am about to discuss the wearing of headcoverings, please do not think that I am fixating on that issue and giving it a significance on par with faith in God or something.
However, 1 Corinthians 11 is in the Bible for a reason and sincere searchers of Scripture would do well to understand its application to our lives.
I'd like to take a look at two hypotheses:
1: Christian women should wear the headcovering when praying and prophesying.
2: Christian women should wear the headcovering at all times.
Let's test hypothesis 1: should I, a Christian woman, wear a headcovering when praying and prophesying?
I will argue Yes" based on the following:
1. To demonstrate submission to the headship (God over Christ over man over woman) - v. 3
2. I don't want to shave my head - v. 6 (I guess I partake in that natural inclination)
3. Our focus should be on God's glory, not man's - v. 7
4. It provides power which is necessary "because of the angels" - v. 10 (which suggests the practice should be followed even when no one else is around)
5. These reasons are not based on cultural standards from Paul's day, but rather eternal principles and a natural inclination God has instilled in people.
6. The word "covered" in verse 6 refers to a veiling while the word "covering" in verse 15 regards long hair. If long hair was the covering Paul referred to in the early part of the chapter, verses 4-6 could be read as follows: "Every man praying or prophesying, having long hair, dishonoreth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with short hair dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman have short hair, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her have long hair." It wouldn't have made sense for Paul to command a woman with short hair to have her hair shorn when it has already been so. Additionally, the command to wear a covering -"while praying or prophesying"- suggests the covering may be applied at that given time period (and not be permanently present as with long hair).
The above logic works for me - if you detect holes in it, let me know.
However, 1 Corinthians 11 is in the Bible for a reason and sincere searchers of Scripture would do well to understand its application to our lives.
I'd like to take a look at two hypotheses:
1: Christian women should wear the headcovering when praying and prophesying.
2: Christian women should wear the headcovering at all times.
Let's test hypothesis 1: should I, a Christian woman, wear a headcovering when praying and prophesying?
I will argue Yes" based on the following:
1. To demonstrate submission to the headship (God over Christ over man over woman) - v. 3
2. I don't want to shave my head - v. 6 (I guess I partake in that natural inclination)
3. Our focus should be on God's glory, not man's - v. 7
4. It provides power which is necessary "because of the angels" - v. 10 (which suggests the practice should be followed even when no one else is around)
5. These reasons are not based on cultural standards from Paul's day, but rather eternal principles and a natural inclination God has instilled in people.
6. The word "covered" in verse 6 refers to a veiling while the word "covering" in verse 15 regards long hair. If long hair was the covering Paul referred to in the early part of the chapter, verses 4-6 could be read as follows: "Every man praying or prophesying, having long hair, dishonoreth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with short hair dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman have short hair, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her have long hair." It wouldn't have made sense for Paul to command a woman with short hair to have her hair shorn when it has already been so. Additionally, the command to wear a covering -"while praying or prophesying"- suggests the covering may be applied at that given time period (and not be permanently present as with long hair).
The above logic works for me - if you detect holes in it, let me know.
posted by Claire at 19:30
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