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Headcovering, or Haircovering?

In the world of non-denom Christian headcovering, you'll come across those who cover all of their hair (some even cover their ears), and some who let their ears and hair show. There are subsets in these as well. For example, in the haircovering camp, some show bangs, while others don't show any strand of hair, or even the hairline.

The number one argument in the haircovering camp, from what I've been told, is the following verse:

"But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering." -1 Corinthians 11:15

It is said that a woman should cover her glory, and that it should be for her husband to see only. Some even say that if a woman shows her hair, she is being immodest.

I disagree with this. If a woman wants to cover all of her hair, then that is her prerogative, and I really don't care. I may, perhaps, think she looks like a gypsy, or a chemo patient, but it is of no importance of what I think of how they look. If a woman chooses to cover all of her hair, I would suggest she wear a style other than chemo patients and gypsies, because she is to show the world that she is not covering for medical reasons, but because she is following the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 11, and is therefore covering by choice, to honor her Heavenly Father.

As for myself, I show my hair. I choose to wear styles that are not officially used for certain churches or denominations. This means I stay away from certain veils, caps (kapps), doilies, and mantillas.

If our hair were given us for our glory, then why would we want to cover it? Perhaps because we want to show God's glory, and cover our own? Why give a woman glory, if she is to hide it? "Glory" is mentioned elsewhere in the same chapter. Let's look at that, and see if we can get some clarification:

"For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. " - 1 Corinthians 11:6-7

Let's break this down:

1) A man should not cover, for he is the glory of God, and we shouldn't conceal God's glory.

2) A woman should cover, because she is the glory of man - covering man's glory.

3) Verse 15 says a woman's hair is her glory - should we cover it? This is where there is a disconnect. It says that a woman's hair is given her for A covering. The woman has two coverings - her hair, in which verse 15's word for "covering" is a different word from all other occurrences of "covering" in the chapter. In verse 15, covering comes from a Greek word, which means 'veil, to wrap around.'

If we are to cover our hair, then what happened to our first covering, which is supposed be like a veil, and wrap around? Hair that is pinned up is not a veiling - it neither hangs as a veil, nor wraps around - it is simply up. A woman can have a covering ON her hair - covering her glory, and covering her husband's glory, but still have hair showing. Remember, the context of 1 Cor. 11:2-16 is the HEAD covering, never the HAIR covering.

The other occurrences of "covering" in chapter 11 all come from a Greek word, which literally means that - covering on the head. Therefore, I personally deem my hair my first covering - the veil, and the cloth on top of my head to be the second covering, which shows my submission to God and my husband. In Greek-speak, the woman has her veil covering - which is her long hair, and her head covering, which is a covering on top of the head.

Again, if women are not allowed to show any hair, and are to cover it all, then why does 1 Corinthians 11 always talk of covering the HEAD, and not of the hair?

Another point to consider - If Christian women are to cover ALL of their hair, then why does the Bible speak on wearing modest hair styles?

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array" -1 Timothy 2:9

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel" -1 Peter 3:3

SIDE NOTE: broiding and plaiting hair is not regular braiding of hair. It is plaiting, or embroidering the hair with jewels and ribbons braided, or woven, into the hair - a very ostentatious, flashy, immodest, and showy "look at me" hairstyle.

Why even mention woman's hairstyles, if no one can see it, because it's all under a covering?

Pictures of headcovering women through the centuries shows both covered and uncovered hair.

I personally conclude the following: If a woman feels she should cover all of her hair, then go for it. If a woman (such as myself) deems that she doesn't have to cover all of her hair, then don't. The Bible is just not truly specific in one direction or the other, which leads me to believe that it's a non-issue.

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Wednesday's Dress

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Tuesday's Dress

Loose, comfy, basic black dress with black head covering.

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Head Covering Study Resources

For years, I didn't cover my head, because I thought Christian women didn't have to. The Lord worked on my heart for a very long time, and in December 2009, I learned the Scriptural truth of and about head covering.

Below are some study resources that I'd like to share:

My head covering Bible study article

A great website with lots of info and resources - www.HeadCovering.info

And, a FANTASTIC video series. Please take the time to watch these; it is worth it: