I rarely hear the question asked, but like the proverbial elephant in the room, it’s often obvious that people are wondering about the cloth on my wife’s and daughter’s heads. When we are asked, though, the questions bely just how old fashioned such coverings have become. “Are you Amish? Mennonite? Muslim?” (I do have a full beard that tends toward the scraggly side…) And my favorite: “Do you follow all the other Old Testament laws?” (This one is found in the New Testament, thank-you-very-much.) 
It came up a few times while we were in Sarasota (this being the first time we had been down there since we began practicing the tradition), and I realized it was probably high time to explain why our family does the whole “head covering thing.” Yet, as so often happens, before my thoughts gel enough to write a post, someone else comes along and sums up the whole matter in better words than I can. This time around, my wife Nicole pointed me to a recent broadcast on R.C. Sproul’s Renewing Your Mind radio program where he said this:
I’ve read countless commentaries on 1 Corinthians that say the reason why Paul tells women to cover their hair is because of the problem of prostitutes in Corinth. Now here’s a problem with that: I don’t doubt for a minute that there was a problem of prostitutes in Corinth, and I think that it’s very helpful to go and examine the cultural situation—the life setting in which that scripture comes—to try and gain clues for understanding the whys and wherefores of certain admonitions. I think that’s a very appropriate thing.
I think on the other hand it’s totally inappropriate to assign to Paul a reason for his saying something that is different from the one he himself gives. Paul does not leave us without a rationale or a defense of covering the head. And the thing that is most astonishing here is that he appeals to creation—not to Corinth—where he appeals to man and woman as man and woman and if anything, transcends local custom. It is those things rooted and ordered in creation.
That’s why I’m very frightened to be loose with this passage. Because the Apostle doesn’t say “keep your heads covered because you don’t want anyone to be thinking that you’re a prostitute,” but he appeals, again, to creation. And he says that a woman is given her hair as a covering as part of her glory.
And that’s really all there is to it for me: Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit appeals to the created order, and thus makes this a perpetual tradition for the Church to observe, not a culturally-specific tradition which can be tossed aside when it’s no longer convenient. Sproul goes on to point out that it wasn’t until our culture began to resist Biblical gender roles that this tradition went out the window in the Western Church. This tidbit is rather telling.
I don’t want to be a snob about it—if anything, it’s a bit embarrassing to stick out like a sore thumb, even in our congregation—but it is something that I am convinced Christians are required to observe. It’s not a matter of personal preference (like how often one ought to pray, or whether you use grape juice or wine for communion); rather, it’s a matter which is clearly laid out in the Scriptures but that many don’t particularly find appealing or convenient. Such ought not be the determining factor in our obedience to the Word of God.
And yet, I have many believing friends who do not observe this tradition. And they’re still my friends (well, at least before they read this). So at some point in the near future, I intend to follow up on this topic by sharing why I think Paul wanted this tradition observed by the Church. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on the issue? I’ll admit that there’s room for me to be wrong here; I would just need to be convinced first!
I asked one time about Nicole covering her head. Everyone can back off of me!
Beth: Nobody said you asked more than once. (You referred to my “not answering” in two comments, BTW.)
And you feel ganged up on in this thread?
Ok, I am fascinated by the head covering, and I want to learn more. And up until the last 19 entries I was really enjoying reading. So please either drop all this junk (defending yourselves, attacking each other) that doesn’t matter, and never will, and get back to the Biblical facts here, or someone please give me some other websites and info! Becauase inquiring minds need to know! (stuff that is their own business anyways…)
Kandis,
Point well taken!
TESTING … This is a test to see if my comment will take, so I don’t encounter another beat down of composition only to have it get cagged in the process.
This is my 4th time to attempt to post this …
As I’ve noted, I’m a proponent of the practice, but nobody gave me the business and asked me if my wife was jazzed by the idea/practice.
Should I feel unloved?
Originally, my wife was not a fan … not at all. She’s warmed some to the idea, but I think one of the main issues is being one of the few “coverers” in our church. I really think that if she felt she didn’t stand out so much she would be less apprehensive about the whole thing.
I’m not trying to hawk my post on headcoverings, but there are some great links on the subject therein, including some in the comments.
@GUNNY: I found this little gem in your comments section especially ironic, in light of the comments here:
For example, while I don’t ever recall covering proponents in my church saying that the non-coverers are insubordinate to their husbands or sinners or such, I have certainly heard accusations by the non-coverers that the coverers are just doing it for show or think they are holier than thou, etc. In other words, it’s been my experience that one group is much quicker to judge the motives of the other.
Yeah, I feel you. I’ve often found it odd that the non-coverers are so animated about the issue.
My experience has been that the coverers say something to the effect of, “Just so you know …” and the non-coverers I’ve encountered don’t come back with, “Thanks for sharing. This is how I roll and why.”
Instead there’s often accusations with regard to motive and accusations of arrogance.
I’ve also loved the comments along the lines of “Well, you don’t practice the holy kiss, so you’re a hypocrite.”
Although they’re different issues with different rationale, I’ve always thought it odd that they would be encouraging somebody to disobedience.
If a person ought to do A and B and is doing A, why would you encourage him/her to cease A until B is done as well?
Who would tell their kids, “Well, why bother telling the truth since you didn’t honor your parents today at school? You’ve broken one commandment, might as well give up.”?
Let me tell you, it’s not easy for women to cover whilst in the minority. Before I was fully convinced that was one of the things that quite impressed me, that they’d be willing to subject themselves to criticism and the inability to just “blend in” amongst the others.
*Caveat … I’m not saying that any readers who are non-coverers are nasty or whatnot. I’m just relaying my own personal experience with regard to the issue.*
Gunny, I had to laugh when I read this from what Travis posted above: “…the coverers are just doing it for show.”
Isn’t that EXACTLY what it’s all about? The head covering is a sign. It’s a symbol of authority. It IS for show! LOL!
vs16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
I’m confused. What is Paul referring to in that verse? Isn’t he saying that it makes sense that a woman should cover her hair, but- let’s not fight over this, it isn’t a rule in the church?
I’ve always thought Paul meant neither he nor the other churches have contention over this issue. That it is accepted. My paraphrase “But if any of you want to argue about this, know that we don’t argue it at all, nor do any of the other churches of God argue this matter.”
In the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul refers to “all”.
v2. “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with ALL that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours”
v10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye ALL speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
v12-13 “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you: or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
Paul sets the stage in the first chapter for unity in matters of faith and conviction. He doesn’t then break that unity in a single verse, but instead uses it to point to the fact that unity of faith and custom should exist. He expounds on how things should be done in the church and covers a lot of territory. He never says, “Well, except for this.”
i’m wondering if i can get some help here…
i am having an on-line discussion about head-coverings with fellow reformed christian women. here is what one of my friends wrote:
“I understand the reasons women wear them – & believe that’s what Paul was talking about there in Corinthians. but look at verse 10 – it says it is a ’symbol’ of authority, & in the NIV ’symbol’ is italicized which means it may not be the right word, but the closest English can come to it. it would be interesting & helpful to have someone explain a word study from the Greek on ’symbol.’…â€
can someone help me answer this question? my friend adheres to the cultural symbol explanation (not a command for all time)…
thank you! – mira
Mira,
“Symbol” is italicized because in the Greek, the phrase is literally “should have authority on her head.” Since a piece of cloth doesn’t actually have authority to exert, translators assume Paul meant the covering to be a symbol of (someone else’s) authority.
Here’s the thing, though: Paul commended the Corinthians for following his teachings, “just as [he] passed them on to [them]” (v.1, NIV). In other words, the specific application is just as important here as the general principle–especially since the specific application is what Paul was insisting upon.
In this same chapter, Paul speaks of the bread and wine of communion, but few believers would say that such is “merely” cultural symbolism with no lasting significance!
I hope that helps.
I have not read all the above. I am just studying about this subject. People want to follow only part of the scriptures in the Bible and the others they toss out because it is not what our culture says it ought to be. The closer you get to God the more likely you are to be an outcast for being different. Women were made differently. The headcovering is symbolizing dying to yourself and submitting to God’s laws. Submission to the husband and glory to God, not yourself. Women get caught up in competing. If there is no competing then you can focus on God, not what the world wants. Some say circumcision is no longer needed. Maybe so but it was important to God at one time. Over and over, we refuse to obey God (head coverings, eating, circumcision) and he keeps forgiving us. God has allowed us to get away with so much. We want more. I think God would be pleased that we have shown an outward love and respect for him. Is it really going to hurt to wear one? It may be a testimony to someone.
I’m doing an extensive research work on this subject. If you would be willing to fill out a survey as to why you veil your head or why you began veiling your head, please send an email to: ec.bus.ar@gmail.com.
Here is another website discussion on the why some women veil.
http://mennodiscuss.com/viewtopic.php?t=5110
We began attending a Free Presbyterian church because we found it difficult for the females in our family to wear headcoverings and not be shunned by most of the congregation. Believe me, it’s not something you do to get attention. Travis I should point out that Free Presbyterians are open on the issue of baptism. The vast majority of people in our congregation believe in believer’s immersion.
I have to say that I really enjoyed the better part of the blog,I myself have found myself in the opposite situation where it is my decision to cover and it took a lot of convincing to have my husband accept my covering full time. I find that I feel very feminine when I wear my coverings,it gives me the opertunity to spontainiously talk about my Lord and Savior,because I get asked about it, where as with out it I would not have had that opertunity.How to sum it up… its an outward expression of an inward commitment, an act of obedience from a truly gratefull heart for my salvation.I also think that if you trully read that scripture and at the end of it IF paul had said well its up to you do what you feel like, Who wouldnt want to cover for all the reasons listed ,Headship,a symbol of power and authority ( God given) for the angels and lets not forget that if the good ones are watching the fallen are watching as well.Because God has use Symbols in the past to seperate the things of God from the things of Man for angels perhaps you could look at it in the case of the angels like the anoiting of the lambs blood on the posts and lintels ( no I dont think that a destroying angel will get you if you dont cover your head) but as a symbol of those will ing to obey vs those on their own way. I am no schollar and could not talk about grammer ect. (its all greek to me… No pun intended) but I do know that this is not a heaven or hell issue, that the spirit will lead those who are humble and are teachable to what the Lord wants them to know,I also know that there are women out there that do not take the veil but cover with scarves, hats,snoods. We dont have to all look like a Mennonite, hutterite, amish ect. It is all the same light of Christ.. just a different lamp.
with much love to my sisters (just my 2 cents)
Christine
in the referenced scripture Paul speaks about a women wearing covering during praying or prophetsizing and we have turned it to wearing it as ordinary attire only being able to take it off during showers and bedtime.
Jasmine,
Welcome! I’d have to disagree with you, though.
What Paul’s saying is more like, “when you go to pray or prophesy, don’t take off the shawl you wear the rest of the time.” Since he then goes on to talk about why shawls “Just Make Sense” for women, it seems a pretty clear case for advocating “ordinary attire” use.
i agree totally that the covering is meant to be in addition to the hair. my question is, can any type pf scarf be worn? as in the different styles of wearing it…i want to wear a headcovering, just not sure what to do about it…thanks
I see what you are saying about head coverings. I don’t know that I agree that it is neccessarily implied that head coverings are to be always worn or just worn when they go church.
Anyway, why does it have to be a scarf (or does it)? Could they wear hats (i.e. in the south women wear sunday bonnets, or could they wear baseball caps)? That is the point I am confused about.
Thanks.
My wife likes scarves more than hats.
Actually, 1st-century Christian women tended to wear long shawls!
I cover my head…and it doesn’t really matter what I feel about it…it is what the scriptures say to do. It is neither here nor there, we follow the Christian walk not because we like or don’t like it. We can’t decide what is or isn’t applicable to us…otherwise, our Christianity is our own design…which in the west can easily be inferred..as much of Christian walk in the west is referrred to as “a personal relationship”. Traditional Christianity…my Church which is Antiochian, emphasises that none of us go to heaven alone, by ourselves..and salvation is not a personal thing..but by being a part of the Church. Mary the Mother of God always covered, and if it was good enough for her, it is good enough for me.
In America many don’t cover in my church, and that is their choice, and I don’t think anything about it, but as for me…I choose to cover.
Felicity
hey, earlier on your page you were looking for sermons about the issue of headcovering. Anyone can go to: http://www.sermonaudio.com and click on “sermon by topic” on the left side, then type in headcovering. There are many sermons there.
I don’t think this can be proved from scripture, but recently the Lord showed me that hats are really the opposite of a head covering, because they elevate the head. I began to realise this when a policeman friend of mine told me that he gets treated with more respect when he’s got his (tall, British-type) helmet on. Likewise, kings and queens wear their crowns, and bishops their mitres. So they are a sign of being in authority over others, not the opposite. Blessings, Andrew
I happened upon this blog in hopes to understand why Christian women cover their heads. Recently I moved to a new town where there are a ton of Monnonites. A gal pointed out to me that some Christian women also cover their heads. This blog answered a lot of questions for me, thank you for writing it.
On a personal note, kudos to Nicole for covering her head. If she does it to please her husband and feels that it’s right for her, then..you go girl!
Zoanna’s comments were a bit evil in their intent. I’ll pray that she doesn’t impact the good Nicole and her family negatively.
I really enjoyed this article. My husband and I have recently decided that I and our daughter should cover our heads. I am going to a mennonite lady who makes them. I am very excited to do this not only because I am doing because the Scripture says to,but because I felt convicted to do it!! Prase God fo the Holy Spirit who gives us the discernment to do what He wants us to do.