The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Head Coverings and more

Marcus,

Thanks for the "history" lesson on Jewish culture and practice. I mean that sincerely. But, as I have stated before in this thread, the choice for a woman to either cover her head or leave it uncovered is to be determined ONLY by God's inspired, infallible and inerrant written Word. The issue MUST be decided by exegesis of God's written revelation. Thus, how do you deal with the following inspired passage?

1 Corinthians 11:3-5 (ASV) "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven."

Paul writes that a man praying with his head covered dishonors his head, which from the preceding verse would apparently refer to Christ. Thus, for a man to pray wearing a "yarmulke", as is the common practice among Jews would be dishonoring to Christ. Unless I've missed something here, Paul's injunctions appear to fly in the face of this long-standing tradition practiced among Jewish men of having their heads covered?? Or, perhaps, more likely, the "oral tradition" that has been passed down from some point in Jewish history is inaccurate, as is many of their traditions which they hold "sacred" and as was the case with the Pharisees of Jesus day.

Those whom Paul was addressing were professing Christians and his injunction was directed for the Christian Church. And although the majority of church members at Corinth were Gentiles, he makes it quite clear that this practice of men not covering their heads and women covering their heads in the assembly was the universal practice in all the churches. Comments?

In His Grace,