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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Woman head covering valid for today? | 1 Cor 11:10 | Lifer1J511 | 3746 | ||
Dave, This question gets much attention in this forum. I understand your frustration. And, although I understand your desire to obey, God intends for us to live under GRACE. I AM NOT saying that we, as Christians, should not seek to obey God. We will obey Him, but only as we follow the Spirit, not the Law or external regulations. He leads us by His Spirit, not the letter of the Law. If we are going to go by the letter of the law (and subjection is the law), then how about 1 Cor 14:34? 'The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.' Do we seriously want to do this LITERALLY? If we do, then women CANNOT ever speak in the churches. This means that they cannot offer greetings, share with one another, pray out loud, share prayer requests, teach Sunday School, sing (I'm not sure if this qualifies as speaking or not. If it doesn't, then maybe women could just add melody to what ever they want to say and not violate the scripture), etc. And, if we want to get technical, we, as the body of Christ, are always 'in church.' God is in us. The angels are always watching. So should women NEVER speak. And, if women should cover their heads, what sort of covering should this be? Is it hair, is it a hat, is it a scarf, does a bow constitute a covering? Or does the Greek mean that the WHOLE head should be covered, maybe with a paper sack? See how we can drive ourselves nuts? That is the same thing Jesus talked to the Pharisees about. They were so concerned with outward regulations that they took the Law that said, "Keep the Sabbath holy" and added multitudes of rules and regulations to define 'work.' I.E. they said you could spit, but you couldn't make mud. So Jesus comes along and spits in the dirt, makes mud, and 'heals' a blind man with it ON THE SABBATH. Now, we all know that mud has no healing properties (unless it's a mud-pack), God heals. But Christ was telling them that they hold to the letter of the law and ignore the Spirit behind it. There were many cultural issues in the early churches. There are many cultural issues in present day churches. We are cultural creatures. Ultimately, my friend, you will have to follow the Spirit's leading and let no man judge you. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. Do we want our women filling our churches with really nice hats but having 2/3's of them rebelling against their husbands as soon as they get home? If you want to interpret this passage as for all women, for all time, that is fine. That is your liberty. Follow God's leading. If that is how your wife feels that she can outwardly show what God is doing in her heart, then that is great. But your statement, brother, 'If this is true, then I can also apply this same logic to many other doctrines that we as Christians hold dear' is not correct. No Christian doctrine rests upon one verse, one passage, or a cultural issue. Our Christian doctrines rest upon many verses, interpreted in the light of context. The trouble begins when we take a 'guideline' and try to make a DOCTRINE out of it, "Sorry, ma'am, you can't enter our church unless your head is covered." Christ said that people would know that we are Christians not according to how we keep the law, or obey God, or discern issues, but by our LOVE for one another. That is our law. Our new commandment is to love one another and accept one another as Christ accepted us. We are to be guided by a PERSON, Jesus Christ. Love Him with all your heart, then do as you please. I'm sure this is not the theological argument you were hoping for. I'll leave that to others. |
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2 | Woman head covering valid for today? | 1 Cor 11:10 | VillaSanJuan | 82560 | ||
I'm just reading through 1Cor11 again and I remembered this post. It seems to me that, while Dave's question has been addressed, it might still leave him needing clarification. Dave is obviously trying to do the right thing and has come up against a wall. In my re-reading (isn't it amazing how the scripture can seem brand new each time...new insights...like getting your soul recharged) I was struck by verses 11-16. Isn't Paul saying that we "In the Lord" have no such obligation? That the woman's long hair IS her covering (not that a bald woman is under any further obligation). Isn't he telling us to judge for ourselves but the practice is to not hold to the legalism of covering and we aren't to be contentious about it? Isn't that Paul's theme throughout with regard to Sabbaths, Diet, and all things done unto God? I'm a relatively new Christian but, today, it seems pretty clear to me that anything we put in the way of our relationship to God....idols, men, legalistic practices...is a little suspect and we should remember that "knowledge puffs up but love builds up". Are the things we're requiring of our fellow brothers and sisters done in love? | ||||||