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Friday, August 26, 2011

To cover, or not to cover, that is the question.



First off, I want to remind everyone to pray for all the people being affected by Hurricane Irene. According to weather.com, there will be major damage from this hurricane. But, we have to leave it all in God's hands. All we can do is pray!


Head coverings. What a subject! I have been thinking more about wearing one as I get older and closer to God.

I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. But 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. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.  For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God. 
 1 Corinthians 11: 2-16


Judging from those verses, every Christian woman should be wearing a head covering. But why don't we? Maybe most think it's weird, unnecessary, or that long hair is enough. In the Bible Commentary I read, it said that because woman was made for man, man is the head of woman. Man was made for God, so God is the head of man. If man wears a head covering or long hair, he is dishonoring his head (God). A woman would wear a head covering to show her submission to man, her head. So if she does not wear a covering, she would dishonor her head (man). Thoughts on that?

I'm really not sure of my outlook on head coverings. I'm not totally opposed to it. Maybe I should wear one just for prayer and during the church service. What are your thoughts on this subject?


Grace be with you,
Abby :D

ps. For more insight, I asked the same question on Preparing To Be A Help Meet's website, here. Click to see.
pps. the above picture is from Google images. If it is yours, and you don't want it on here, just comment. Thanks!

4 comments:

Shelley said...

I've never heard about this topic until I read your post. After reading this and the replies on the site you linked to, and with my own beliefs, I don't think women need to wear head coverings. Like one of the other ladies mentioned in her reply, the head covering is only a symbol, what really matters is what's in your heart. :) Great post Abby!

Marelle said...

I don't believe that this means literally that we must wear head covers. I don't think we're being disrespectful if we don't, as commented above, God knows whats in our hearts, and He most likely doesn't care whats on our heads. And I don't agree that men with long hair are being disrespectful to God. I don't believe that God cares so much about our appearances(to an extent, I'm not saying we should go around wearing...well you know what I mean), He knows whats in our hearts, and that's what matters:) He wouldn't be such a perfect God if he cared so much about how we look when we praise Him.

A.M said...

I haven't thought about this much but it does say "For long hair is given to her as a covering". I am not sure if that means it takes the place of a covering, but it kinda makes sense.

Abigail~

Christiana said...

Hi Abby,

I just found your blog, and really enjoyed reading through some of it.

Our pastor recently did a sermon on this... according to some translations, the end of 1 Cor. 11:16 is either "we have no other practice", or, a more accurate translation that translates the Greek words more accurately, says "we have no such custom".

Just though I'd share my thoughts on this!

Blessings,
Christiana