Little Bears Family Devotional Pages

Head-covering

[The Veiling of Christian Women]

I have long been attracted to a group of very 'conservative' Christian church groups known for their quaint, old-fashioned ways as well as their high moral standards: amongst others, The Amish, Anabaptists, The Mennonites, The Pensylvania Dutch, the Quakers and the Brethren.

One of the things I was particularly attracted to was the way women in these groups were still, unlike most mainstream churches, required to cover their heads (wear hats) as a sign of submission, (mirroring the submission of the Church to Christ) in accordance with the Apostle Paul's teaching in his first letter to the church at Corinth. (1 Corinthians 11 v 3-16). Conversely, men are not to have their heads covered.

My understanding of Paul's teaching is that it is not limited to his cultural time period as modern liberals would have us believe, but is addressed to all; and the purpose, i.e. "because of the angels" still stands. As far as I can see, the only reason that the practise has been abandoned in mainstream churches is that of compromise with the world.

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
I Corinthians 14 v 37

Obedience because of Salvation not for Salvation

I am a firm believer in Salvation by Grace through faith, but the "Liberty" which comes with that Grace is not to be confused with "Licence"! (see Galations 5 v13) Are we required to obey God's Word in 1 Corinthians 11? (Are we required to obey God's Word at all?!) Let me ask another way - does God want us to obey him? Does God want us to obey him on this matter? Some evangelicals seem to reject obedience for fear that they will be enslaved by the unattainable Law. (Galations 5 v 1 etc. However, they seem less afraid of enslavement to sin!) Bear in mind, though, that this is not Old Testament Mosaic Legalism, but New Testament Christian practice. How does God view the continued disobedience of His people? Does it not grieve His heart? A friend of mine recently expressed Christian obedience thus:- "When you realise how great God's Grace is to you in freely giving you salvation which you don't deserve, it makes you want to fall over backwards to try to please Him".

A Word of Warning

Beware of the temptation that will doubtless seize you if and when you choose to obey God's Word to cover - of looking at other Christians who apparently aren't being obedient in these things as being less holy! "Judge not lest ye be judged" - although we must be able to weigh up the right and wrong of actions, it is God alone who is able to judge hearts. Know also that He will know when we obey outwardly without having a repentant heart, or when we are willing to wear the outward sign of submission without being willing to submit to our husbands (or fathers, or pastors, or God himself, come to that). Don't fall into the trap of confusing outward 'obedience' with inward holiness - it's not the same thing! [But is the risk of falling into sin by judging others an excuse for not being obedient in wearing the covering?!]

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© Sharon (Mortemore) Tootill
Update: 19 June, 2001