A Word from Karen…
As the fragile bird is driven instinctively to the protection of its winter home, in the approaching winter of life, my tender spirit is driven to return to the security of my home of homes. I have found that home to be in God, and I have found the warmth and solace I seek in returning to the grassroots of His Word. I have found that existence at any other level, than being firmly grounded in His Word, has fallen severely short of life as I am intended to live it, short of the life in abundance spoken of in John 10:10. As the bird instinctively realizes the danger of staying behind in a climate which grows cold, my spirit senses the danger of becoming more entrenched each day into the climate of worldly things; those things which would draw me away from the true meaning of life. Therefore, I seek endlessly to return to the very heart of God's Word, wherein I find the vast richness of life, I can know no other way; life in abundance that the world knows nothing of, life that satisfies the deepest longings of my spirit. Please bear with me in my expression of this deep need to go home, as it was necessary to share it on a personal level. The following will explain more explicitly the findings of the author during the pursuit of the personal search for home.
The author has found that the gospel according to man seems to be far removed from the gospel according to God. Man, for the most part, seems to view the gospel in God's Word as a means by which to obtain all of the earthly riches he can "coerce" God into giving him by "claiming" what he sees as isolated, and virtually unconditional "promises" in God's Word. Man does not want, however, any part in the persecutions of discipleship, or the life of obedience that the whole gospel tells us will yield the fulfillment of these "promises", therein being one of the most bizarre twists of the dangerous worldly climate. As man takes God's "promises" out of context and "claims" them in an effort to meet his own ends, he tries to use God to get something for nothing, and he finds it to be deadly to the very spirit within him. When greed tries to lay "claim" on the "promises" of God, what can one expect? So often we make a profession, and strategically walk the very perimeters of the "Christian life" (as we know it in the 20th century), avoiding trials at all cost. Then we tell God how deserving we are, and demand that He give us whatever we desire (and we do this in the name of faith)! The problem is that the desires of our hearts are often distorted because our hearts are not yet truly yielded as He intends them to be.
Somehow, it seems that we should be trying to find out what we can be doing for God, rather than dwelling upon what we expect God to do for us. Man in this era has learned to perceive abundance on a purely materialistic and physical level, but the abundant life is not a life of worldly things. It is a life filled with the vast richness of the joy that springs forth in the heart of one truly committed to the endless search of the truth of God's Word, and yielded in obedience to what is found therein. It is the outgrowth of a relationship that is built as we find our hearts driven to the only home we were ever truly meant to have, the home in the very heart of God.
Because God's Word to us is so critical in our pursuit of a deep and meaningful walk with Him, it is necessary to correctly "divide" it (II Timothy 2:15) in order to find out how it can enrich our lives. In the generations of the early church (when persecutions were intense, and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles were firmly imprinted on the human heart) the understanding of the "Christian walk" was much different than we perceive it to be today. Their understanding of the Scriptures and the truths embodied therein were complete, and they were taken to heart. Time, however, has a way of eroding the original meaning and intent of the written word. As we view God's Word today, we view it from the perspective of our age, with our own preconceptions, and those of the ones who have taught us. Over the centuries, this adaptation to modern theological interpretation has clouded, if not totally destroyed, many of the original intents of the gospel. Very few people today will spend the time to try to research the "Christian walk" from the perspective of the early Christians, and take a new and sensitive look at the Word of God from an unbiased stance, setting aside preconceptions, and simply seeking with a pure heart to know the ultimate truths we were meant to know. Are we being true to the God we profess to serve, even to ourselves, if we choose to do any less?
It seems that the original intent of many Scriptural passages
has been perverted, distorted, and twisted over the centuries.
People today want to accept the views of the multitudes regarding
God's Word, because they feel comfortable if their views align
with many others. If enough people, however, believe that something
which is wrong is right, does that make it right? Hardly! God's
truths are eternal. The way man chooses to view them does not
change them in the least. We will, however, be accountable for
the way in which we choose to view them, so the author seeks to
view them God's way, rather than through the eyes of the multitudes
of man. Because man has altered the intent of God's Word, an honest
attempt must be made to return to God's true intent. It was with
much close examination of God's Word, trying to discern His intent
and its impact upon our lives, that the author was lead to a very
enlightening study in a specific area.
Let's take a closer look at the passage so many people would rather pretend is not in their Bible. Let's confront the issue regarding head covering today.
First, we need to determine what is meant in verse 5 regarding any woman praying or prophesying with her head "uncovered". Many people say that the "covering" in I Corinthians 11 is hair. In verse 5 then, does this mean that she has taken her hair off? Some say it means long hair, but there is an implication here that her head being uncovered is voluntary and immediately reversible. One obviously cannot lengthen one's hair except over a long period of time. Verse 6 further states that IF she be not covered, let her ALSO be shorn, which seems to rule out that her hair being cut was what was meant by IF she be not covered. Furthermore, verse 4 tells us that a man is not to wear head covering. Would this mean he was to remove his hair, or to wear it extremely short? If so, how short? I Corinthians 14:33 tells us that God is not the author of confusion, and it certainly seems that trying to inject hair of ANY nature here is at the very least confusing! (Could this be because hair of any length is a very recent interpretation by modern man to get away from the true and original intent of this passage? Man in this day and age has indeed become very style conscious!) Verse 10 says that women ought to wear it because of the angels. Would we be able to use hair or even long hair here as the reference ("that she ought to have hair on her head" or even "that she ought to have long hair on her head")? If it were hair or long hair, how could the angels differentiate between the appearance of the woman of God and the woman of the world? Apparently they need to be able, for whatever reasons, to see an outward and visible covering.
It should be obvious at this point that the intent of the covering in this passage is something that could be put on or taken off, a covering not provided by nature, but one we choose to wear or not to wear. The confusion regarding the use of hair as covering seems to come from verses 14 and 15. These verses tell us, however, that EVEN NATURE resounds God's will for woman to cover her head by ITSELF covering her head with long hair. Her long hair is, in itself a glory to her, and the essence of this entire passage is that the glory of woman should be COVERED. To cover this glory of woman would necessitate that something be worn over the hair itself.
I Thessalonians 5:23 indicates that we are composed of three parts, the spirit, the soul, and the body. Some think that the instruction to wear head covering is a third ordinance given to us by God, similar in importance to that of baptism and communion. Whereas baptism benefits the spirit (Acts 22:16), and communion benefits the body (I Corinthians 11:30), the wearing of head covering benefits the soul (i.e. the self directly related to the mental portion of our beings) (I Corinthians 11:10). Deceit of the soul begins in the mind, and this verse says that woman ought to have power on her head because of the angels. Because much about the spirit world is not spelled out in God's Word to us, this visible sign has bearing on the interaction of the spirit world and the thoughts of man. Indeed many women who wear head covering will testify to the peace of mind they have once they are firmly committed to wearing it. There is much speculation as to why the angels need to see the covering. Although it is interesting to contemplate this and other such speculations, it should be of little or no importance to us now to know why the angels need to see the covering. God indicates the need in His Word, and that is reason enough. Whether or not it is to be worn as a benefit for the mind is likewise a side issue at best. God says it should be worn, and, again, that is reason enough. The reasons will be made known to us one day. In the meantime, though, they are better left to God.
Presuming at this point, that a material covering of sorts is the intended covering, the next question that arises is whether this passage was just intended for the Corinthian Church. Well, if it is in our Bible, shouldn't it pertain to Christians of all times? God's Word is indeed eternal! If it is not for the 20th century, what else can we pick and choose to toss aside as "not for our time," or as "simply a cultural reference?" The letters to the churches in Revelation (though written to specific churches regarding specific problems) are included in our Bible because the omniscient Spirit of God knew they would apply to us in the 1990's as well. This same omniscient Spirit of God inspired the Corinthian passage regarding head covering as Paul wrote it, and knew that it would be chosen as a part of the holy and acceptable canon of God's Word for our use in the 1990's. If head covering had been meant only for the Corinthian church, wouldn't a sovereign God have negated the use of it in a later portion of His Word, or made that abundantly clear in the passage at hand? He did neither. Since there is no evidence in His Word that it was ever negated, observation of it must be intended for all time. How can mankind be so presumptuous as to attempt to limit the time intended for part of God's Word to a specific time period rather than to acknowledge it as eternal truth? To attack any part of God's Word (with time limitations or otherwise) is to attack it all, casting doubt upon the importance of the entire Bible for this day and age!
The issue behind this passage appears to be God's governmental plan; the yielding to authority as He designed it. As Jesus Christ is forever in submission to the Father (Philippians 7, Matthew 26:39, and John 4:24), so the church is to be in submission to Christ. The wearing of head covering is thus, a physical symbol of the willingness of the female to be yielded to the submission first of Christ, then toward the male, in recognition of his God-given authority over her. If married, particular emphasis would be upon submission to the husband before other males. For the single female it would be submission toward a male in a position to oversee her, such as a pastor, etc. before other males. As in any God-ordained governmental system, however, God must always be considered first, then man. Women are to submit to man only as long as there is no violation of conscience toward God and His will for her life. At such a point of contention, God must always be honored above man! To do otherwise would be to quench the Spirit of God, expressly forbidden in I Thessalonians 5:19.
Stop to think for a moment about the condition of our society. Since woman has begun to assert her independence from her intended roll as a help to man in Genesis 2:18, we have experienced an incredible breakdown in the family unit, a rebellion in our children, a lack of respect toward one another, and a plummeting of social values that is unparalleled to anything our country has ever known. Will we ever wake up?
John 10:30 tells us that Jesus and His Father are one. Thus, we see that Jesus is spiritually equal to God the Father, but as it was pointed out before, He is forever submissive to God the Father in accordance with God's governmental plan. In Galatians 3:28, we are told that there is neither male nor female. In like manner, we see here that the female is spiritually equal to the male, but she is still to be submissive to the male in God's governmental plan. Isn't it time that we go back to God's system rather than encouraging man's devastating agenda?
Unless a woman has truly yielded to the submission of God's governmental plan, she should not wear head covering. To do so would be hypocritical. It is to be symbolic of her willingness to bend her knee in submission and obedience to God's Word and His ordained governmental system. Wearing head covering doesn't in any way make one more spiritual. Some who wear it, however, would say this step in obedience has resulted in a magnification of their sense of God's love and peace, and that since wearing it, they have noticed significant increase in spiritual strength, stability, and growth. Some would say that wearing head covering is a form of legalism, and that we are under grace. Indeed it would be legalism if it was being worn as a work in order to get to heaven, but when it is worn freely in response to love and commitment to Christ, it becomes a beautiful tribute to the grace we so treasure. If the Holy Spirit convicts the heart about a request He has made in His Word, does it not become sin to ignore the conviction? Romans 2 addresses the issue of sin as it relates to grace. It is human nature to use grace as an excuse to live as we want to live, labeling as legalism anything that even remotely resembles a guideline for us in God's Word. These two verses make it abundantly clear that living under grace in no way entitles us to abuse that grace. If we feel a conviction of the Holy Spirit as we read His Word, we must honor that conviction or quench the Spirit of God!
The style of the head covering does not seem to be of a great deal of importance here, as it is not specifically addressed. Some believe that in order to cover the glory of the woman that nature gave her in the form of long hair, the hair must be completely covered. This may have some merit, and pictures of head covering in the early church do indicate this type of covering. The emphasis, however, seems to be upon her willingness to submit to the wearing of a symbolic covering. Is she supposed to wear it at all times, or just at church? She's to wear it when she prays, so that would depend upon her pattern of prayer. If she prays without ceasing, as instructed in I Thessalonians 5:17, should the head covering not be worn without ceasing? We are only given a brief reference to the use of head covering. Its importance, however, cannot be understated (especially in today's world) as an easily identifiable way to take a stand for God in the midst of today's corrupted, man-made standards.
If after taking a closer look at this passage of God's Word, and truly seeking His face about His intent therein, you do not agree with the author's views, the author would respect your views, and your choice to deny the observance of head covering today. If, however, you begin to see things as the author now sees them, more questions should be considered. Is it your desire to grow in God, to walk in obedience, to serve Him to the best of human ability? Where do you stand in your willingness to do as His Word dictates? Why should you and/or female members of your family wear head covering? Because God asks you to! How could you do any less for Him after what He did for you? God be with you as you seek His will regarding the wearing of a head covering for yourself and/or your family, an unpopular stand to take in this world.
McDaniel, Karen. Why Do Some Women Cover Their Heads?. Lakeland, FL: Master Mind Ministries, 1998
*Used by permission. Contact Master Mind Ministeries at: mmmkmm777@webtv.net
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
The author is not seeking prominence or visibility, and insists
that the recognition regarding this writing go to the author's
source for such works: God Almighty. The author is simply a servant
of the Lord Jesus Christ, who wishes to shed light in a rapidly
darkening world. The author does not claim to have a hot line
to heaven or claim to be prophetic, but has simply spent years
in prayer and study, and has a heart to share the multitudes of
discernment derived through sanctification, maturation, and growth
in the Lord. Please seek confirmation for yourself in God's Holy
Word regarding any views of the author. The author believes in
only one source of authority today-the very inspired Word of God
as given to us in the form of the Bible, and in understanding
as we read it, given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Topical Studies