Thursday 8 October 2009

Headcovering??

Do any of you women out there who are Christians cover your head at Church? What do you think about the topic? Is it disobedient to not cover your head in Church or is it just old fashioned?

Is it OK to cover for a breaking of bread service and then to remove it for the rest of the Church services? What about those who disapprove and think women should have their heads covered? Or is it up to the individual?

Is it important? It doesn't affect our salvation and it is our heart that matters to God and what we believe. But I can't help thinking it is one of those areas we interpret to suit our needs. Some argue that is was a tradition of the times, a custom. Others argue that the woman's hair is given to her as a covering. There are those who contend that the woman is covered by her husband.

I would wear my covering to a Lord's Supper service but removed it for the family service and wouldn't wear it to our bible study service. This is generally the same for the women at our Church. So why is it important to wear it in one service and not any other if the Lord is in our midst always?

I believe that the Bible is the word of God. So how can I obey the Lord in some ways and not others? In Titus 2 women are expected to do the following;

These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,b]">[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
Titus 2 : 4-5 NLT.

To be obedient to God I really should be striving for the above. However, I have not always been submissive to my husband. I have been very willful and argumentative and not giving him the respect he deserves in the past. Upon reading more in the Bible about submission, I came to realise I should be obedient in this area because the Lord wants me to.

So why would I not do the same with head covering for public worship? I can't use the excuse of ignorance as I am fully aware of the scripture. I suppose it comes down to how you interpret this scripture. If we use the argument of tradition and customs I think we delve into dangerous territory. It is an argument that could be used to justify all sorts of behaviour in the world today.

There is a great history of Christian women wearing head coverings in Church. Have these women been wrong all along? I just don't know?

9He wasn't created for her. She was created for him. 10And so, because of this, and also because of the angels, a woman ought to wear something on her head, as a sign of her authority.
1 Corinthians 11:9-10 CEV

These verses quite clearly describe what is required to me. We can't put our hair on our hair!!! It is all too confusing!! So what do you think? Please feel free to comment with your opinions. I do think it is a very personal thing depending on your hubby, your Church and God. I would never judge anyone on this topic since I am a tad confused myself!!!





16 comments:

  1. Collette,

    I never saw this as a material covering but took it as our hair for covering. In fact every church that I have been to since I was old enough to remember, no one has ever really worn anything except maybe a fancy hat from the older women. Not quite sure just how to answer that one!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  2. I have never been to a church where women wear coverings. I do have to say I try my hardest to be a submissive wife and while it is hard sometimes I do notice a positive when i do it. I know it is what God desires and I know my husband loves and respects me

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  3. Collette,
    I will ask my pastor and my brothers who are pastors, how they interpret those verses. I don't know either!
    Thank you so much for your comments. I have missed you!!!
    You have never had cornbread!
    Wish I could take you some!
    Cornbread is usually made just with a box mix or with a recipe with cornmeal. The sour cream,butter, creamed corn, and baking powder aren't always added. Usually just milk and eggs, but this recipe is really good.

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  4. I know of one lady who wears head coverings, but we don't, and most of the people we know don't either. I remember talking w/ someone about this, and them saying how we're not under the old law anymore...something like that. I could be wrong, so don't quote me.

    But, good question, and it definitely makes me want to find out!! I will get back to you on this one, Collette!

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  5. Like another one of your commentors, I've never been to a church where they wear coverings, so I'm not real familiar about it. I will agree that God is so much more concerned with our heart condition than what we're wearing. Jesus even told the Pharisees that they were more worried about the appearance of the outside of the cup than what it looked like on the inside. I would say that the covering--among other things--is where 'working out your own salvation' comes into play--what is God leading you to do?
    HUGS!!
    Deb

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  6. I'm Catholic, and so I think we carried this tradition on far longer than other denominations (although wearing hats to church is still really big in some parts of the country). I was looking through old photos while home on vacation this summer, and all of the women would wear hats, but I've always assumed it was more because it was a fashion of the times rather than to follow the Bible and cover their head.

    I can tell you I have a friend in England (where we just lived for 2 years) who goes to a Latin Mass church, and in her congregation all the females wear veils (in fact many, like her, wear them all day Sunday). She and I have frequently talked on this, as she was encouraging me to try it. I will admit, part of my reluctance is that it would make me (a young woman of 25) stand out, and I feel at church it's best to not try and stand out for dress reasons.

    I will definitely be asking my priest though, as I do wonder why they no longer require it!

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  7. I have known many women who feel convicted to wear headcoverings while praying and in church. It is a very difficult topic in scripture and while most commentators agree that it was a "cultural" sign of submission in that particular culture it is sometimes hard for me to put aside a seemingly direct command! :) It is something that my husband and I talk about about once a year. lol. I am always very impressed by women who hold fast to their convictions in this area. It shows a great deal of resolve. I however tend to lean to the "cultural tradition" side of the argument.

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  8. In my heart I don't feel we need to cover our head, I don't see God asking us to do that. I think that sometimes we get so caught up in the rituals we forget about what is important.

    However, if you feel convicted to do so for the right reasons - not because you think you should or because other are doing so but because you feel God telling you to, then that's what you need to do.

    Jesus died for us - His blood is our cover.

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  9. Not to make it sound like a cop out but I think this is one of those personal things. If someone feels it would be sinful not to wear a headcovering then they should. Otherwise it isn't a big deal.

    This may sound irreverent but I really don't see God sitting up there going "Oh no! She is wearing/not wearing a headcovering. I guess she is out. Oops, that one just had the wrong style of worship music. They are out too."

    After the huge sacrifice Jesus made, I don't see God making a big deal about something like headcoverings when He has forgiven us for things like murder, immorality, and other things.

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  10. I agree with you Christi! I am sure God is not looking at us thinking that! Sheryl put it fantastically - Jesus died for us and His blood is our cover.

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  11. I have attended a 'hat-wearing' place of worship since I was born - so for me it is the norm. Quite simply, the females (of all ages) wear hats.
    However, if I go to a non-hat-wearing place of worship I do not always wear one.

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  12. This is a very interesting post Collette. You have me really thinking. I have never been in a church that women have covered their heads, however, I am really thinking about my relationship with my husband. Thanks for the thought provoking words.

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  13. Hi - I came across your blog on a google search, and I wanted to pass along my blog and webpages for you, and your readers if they wish, to peruse through. A few years ago someone gave me a little booklet on headcoverings, and though I had also always thought it a cultural symbolism (as long as I understood about creation order and male responsibility in prayer and speaking God's words, I didn't need an additional outward sign), there was something more that I found while really studying. Please visit "ThoseHeadcoverings" and go to the Christian links to read more about why Christian women who choose to cover do.

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  14. Lisa M, thanks for the links. I have had a look and will look further. Thank you so much,
    Love Collette xxxx

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  15. I've thought about this in the past and about how a woman should dress daily (such as modest dresses only, no pants, etc.). I think I conveniently came to the conclusion that it was "Old Testament". I also found that when I wore dresses more often, my hubby actually didn't like it. Therefore, I felt I wasn't being obedient to my husband.

    You have quoted from the New Testament though. I have to admit that I have no answer to this question! It has been interesting reading the comments here!

    Love and Blessings, Leslie

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  16. 1. First, let me say that I agree with Collette in that I see the whole headcovering issue as non-essential as far as our salvation goes. But it seems to me that it's a Biblical command to be carried out by those who choose to follow the pattern for Christian living given to us by God. And, I know people often see this as a command women are being forced to do, but remember that guys are told to have their head uncovered when praying in public (1st Corinthians 11.4) so I never wear a cap/hat at church.
    2. Second, I want to say that this issue is something that people in our type of churches have become hung up on in recent years. Since it is a very visual, outward instruction it's easy to "judge" or even "condemn"...We've been guilty of elevating it as some sort of critically important command when it's not any more important- it's just more noticeable when people are adhering to it or not!
    3. Thirdly, too many people are saying "I don't know anyone who wears a head covering to church", like that's some sort of justification for the practice of God's people. We have to take our examples and teaching from the Bible, not each other (although of course we benefit from watching the lives led by Godly Christians). If people tried to live their life like ME then our church would be filled with people struggling with pride, selfishness, stubbornness...

    Anyway, it looks like you've started a few people thinking on this subject Collette. Well done!

    Thanks for last night- really enjoyed it!
    Chris x

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