I have been debating over the past few months about the passage below. I have read other blogs where Christian woman like me are also questioning themselves about the same issue.
I am convinced that submission to God and husband is most definitely a true aspect of this text , but also the sign of reverence is an important aspect as well.
It amazes me that I am 40 years old and never really dealt with this issue.... I guess maybe it is because there were no women around me or in the church that wore head coverings, except one lady but it never caused me to question -*why?*
It was one of my daughters that brought this to my attention and since then I have been reading and searching for answers.
Here I found some excellent points and it has helped me to most definitely understand that although the long *hair* is mentioned as a covering , it is NOT, however, the covering that it is being referred to in the passage.
Here was one of the best reformed perspectives I found and very very helpful.
I am convinced that it is in God's word for the woman cover their head but I am struggling if the covering is required at all times or only during prayers.
1 Corinthians 11
1Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Propriety in Worship 2I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings,[a] just as I passed them on to you.
3Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. 6If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.
11In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.
6 comments:
Good morning my most beautiful and talented Tita! First, I have to again say how beautiful you are! Secondly, this is a very INTERESTING and thought provoking question here. I am not one to speak about such things of which I am totally ignorant, but there are so many things in the word that are ambiguous to US, for they were written to a specific people, at a specific place and culture and during a specific time. While I believe 100000000000% that what Christ said during his ministry is TIMELESS and can be easily applied to anyone, anytime and anywhere, some of the specific cultural dealings that Paul and other disciples addressed are very difficult for us to apply or even discuss. However, you make a good case for discussion here. My only question is, do we insist that a gesture such as this or even another type of cultural tradition be an indicator? Perhaps....since our actions show respect or disrespect....OH I DON'T KNOW! YOU SEE HOW CLUELESS I AM! I just believe that in whatever form the love of God and the "GOlden Rule" that Jesus preached is demonstrated, no matter what culture, that is what is in question. OH I DON'T KNOW!!:)))))))))
Bonne question....NIta
My dearest sister and friend~
Firstly , I wan t to ((((THANK YOU))) for been so bold and write me an answer. I know this is not easy and because it is so contradictory with the world and society that we live in where so many things are acceptable, I appreciate even more you giving me your thoughts!
I don't beleive that Paul was dealing with cultural issues. I did consider that but futher reading on the scriptures lead me to the understanding that this is in fact an application to women for all times. Most people thinks that the curse on women that God gave after Adam's fall was to give birth with pain.... well, if one read the rest of the chapter in Genesis, will see that SUBMISSION is in fact our curse. It is natural for women to submit to men and to God... throughout scripture this is an pressed issue.
Here is such a good point:
What should I do if I am unsure of the Bible’s teaching regarding head
coverings? What if I am partially but not wholly persuaded?
These words from R. C. Sproul, Sr. are helpful: “What if, after careful
consideration of a Biblical mandate, we remain uncertain as to its character
as principle or custom? If we must decide to treat it one way or the other but
have no conclusive means to make the decision, what can we do? Here the
10 biblical principle of humility can be helpful. The issue is simple. Would it be better to treat a possible custom as a principle and be guilty of being over scrupulous in our design to obey God? Or would it be better to treat a possible principle as a custom and be guilty of being unscrupulous in demoting
a transcendent requirement of God to the level of a mere human convention?
I hope the answer is obvious.” (Knowing Scripture, pp. 11-12)
Oh! I must come back to re-read and comment!!!! Must go..the kids are coming in 10minutes!!!
I am notorious for making mistakes on my writings...grin....I meant on my comment above that it is NOT natural for the woman to submit to man and god!*grin*
Nita , thank you for your email to me.I learned much from you today and wish you had posted instead. Your wisdom was a blessing to me!Lovingly~
Oh, you know, it is in dialoging that we learn from each other, from ourselves even, and go back and forth to make sense of things. What wonderful and almost mysterious things He has given us to ponder. You are right....it is UNNATURAL for women to want to submit! I am first to acknowledge! WHEW! I have to work hard to bit my tongue, do what I feel is my obligation of love and move on! But there are times.....heheeeee...God help us all, really.
Excellent post my dear, and let's see if anyone wants to jump into the conversation.
With all my love, Nita
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