Editorial
September/October, 1992
Volume 27, Number 5
Twenty years ago we published an article on the sisters’ head covering. That supply has been exhausted. We are aware that many will disagree with the message contained here, but we hope our readers will at least ponder what Bro. James Myer says in this message. Christians differ in their understanding of the passage in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, but Brethren from earliest times believed that wearing the veil is a distinctive practice designed for Christian women.
In our day many attempts are being made to obliterate the lines of distinction between the sexes. Women cut their hair short and sometimes dress like men, and long-haired men are a fairly common phenomenon. The Bible teaches that there should be a distinction between the sexes, and that it is degrading for a man to wear long hair, but that long hair is appropriate and proper for the Christian woman. Early records show that even Jesus had a close-cropped haircut (See Philip Vollmer, The Modern Student’s Life of Christ, Fleming H. Revell).
In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul gives three reasons why Christian men should worship God with heads uncovered, and Christian women should pray and prophesy with their heads veiled:
1) The theological reason (verses 2-6).
The issue centers around authority. In God’s order, the woman cooperates with man’s leadership, and the veiling is a sign of her acceptance of that authority and of his leadership role.
2) The biblical reason (verses 7-12).
The facts of creation, as given in Genesis 1 and 2, are discussed. God created the man before He created the woman. The woman was in turn made from the man, and this simple order in creation is to be respected in the church.
3) The physical reason (verses 13-16).
Even nature shows a distinction between the sexes. The female is usually modest and retiring. The woman’s hair is naturally longer and more beautiful than the man’s. Nature everywhere teaches us that the Creator distinguishes between the sexes, and certainly it is proper for men and women to appear differently in order to distinguish them.
The Christian woman is ‘a praying woman” (1Corinthians 11:5). She prays for her family, relatives, neighbors, friends, enemies, world conditions, etc.-and the prayer covering is a symbol of her communion with God through the avenue of prayer. She believes that the God of the Bible is real, that He is infinite in power, and that there are needs in life which we cannot meet in our own strength.
In the early days of the Protestant Reformation nearly all Christian women wore the symbol of prayer, and the sign of respect for authority taught in 1 Corinthians 11. Rembrandt’s painting of Preacher Anslo giving (from God’s Word) a message of comfort to a woman, was completed in 1641, and in that painting the woman is wearing a veiling. Early Brethren leaders taught the importance of the practice. Otho Winger, for example, was moderator of Annual Conference six times between the years 1915 and 1935. He was the long-time president of Manchester College. His biographer says that President Winger “had no doubt whatever” that the Scriptures teach the veiling for Christian women (page 175, Otho Winger, V. F. Schwalm).
In spite of the fact that some think the Apostle Paul was biased against women, the Bible actually bestows honor upon women, and elevates the woman far above the place accorded her by the ancient religions. In Romans 16, Paul names many women (Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and others), and then he describes them as humble persons who on the Resurrection Morning are going to share in the brilliance of the eternal city.
We invite readers to comment on the Bible exposition presented here. What have been the factors that contributed to the demise of the wearing of the headveiling in the Church of the Brethren? Was it dropped suddenly or gradually? What were the steps in its decline? Are there Church of the Brethren congregations west of the Mississippi River where at least some of the women still wear he veiling? Is there any hope for re-establishing the practice across the Brotherhood? What are the current arguments used against continuing the practice?
The Sisters’ Prayer Covering
By James F. Myer
Sixteen verses from 1 Corinthians 11 provide the biblical instruction for the sister’s head veiling. This teaching which was once a living practice among many Christian bodies, is remembered today only by their historical records. Because this practice sets God’s people apart from the world, it has become unpopular and is not commonly observed. We do not believe this teaching is any more important than other doctrines taught in the Bible, but it is part of God’s perfect revelation.
In religious circles we hear the term “nonessentials.” There may be some reason for using this phrase with regard to personal convictions about matters not clearly mandated in Scripture, but it should never be used to describe a clear teaching of the Word of God. We approach 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, keeping in mind that this is the teaching of God’s Word, and not the mere custom of some church or the opinion of a mere man.
Many argue that this teaching was relevant and intended only for the Christians at Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 1:2, however, we learn that this letter was not only addressed to believers in that city, but to “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ.” God was no more concerned that “order in headship” be observed by the Corinthians, than He is for the Christian church today. If the first sixteen verses of this chapter are only for another age, then what about the latter part of 1 Corinthians 11? Why should we accept Paul’s instructions about the disorders at the Lord’s Table, and not accept his instructions about the disorders surrounding headship? Those who are quick to discard the headship instructions (in 1 Corinthians 11), are often equally as diligent in wanting to point out the beautiful words found in the great love chapter (1 Corinthians 13). Those who would take away the teaching on the veiling, should first check Revelation 22:19.
Many argue that Jesus never said anything about a head veiling. Sometimes they boastingly say,’We follow Christ”–and there seems to be an air of indifference to the teaching of the apostles. From the context of the epistle to the Christians at Corinth, it is very possible that our Lord did say something about the head veiling. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:37, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” Again, Paul said, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you” (1 Corinthians 11:23). It is clear from these Scriptures that Paul was writing beyond himself and that what he wrote was at the divine direction of the Lord.
1. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE VEILING
The principle of headship and order is given in verse 3. “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ; the head of the woman is man; and the head of Christ is God”(1 Corinthians 11:3). Everything that God does is done decently and in order. In the original establishment of order, God saw that it was good. Human beings became the major disappointment in God’s orderly creation by falling into sin. God has an established order by which He operates, and each part of that order bears certain responsibility under another. The order is simple: God, Christ, man, and woman.
Because of woman’s being deceived in the original transgression, she bears a greater stigma for her guilt. 1 Timothy 2:14 says, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” Painful child-bearing is a grief-filled reminder to women of Eve’s role in the original transgression. The principle of “submission to authority” is the underlying principle for the veiling.
The spirit of rebellion and insubordination that frequently prevails in our society, is an attempt by many to eliminate every voice of authority over life. The Bible clearly states that every Christian believer must recognize a prevailing head. When Jesus prayed, “Not my will but thine be done”-He was expressing total submission to the Father. Christian men must recognize that God has given Christ To be head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). Christian women must recognize that the head of the woman is the man. The emergence of many false teachings in our day is related to the fact that men and women often fail to submit to divine authority.
2. THE PRACTICE OF THE VEILING
Verse 4 (of 1 Corinthians 1 1) gives the practice for believing men. Two acts of communication are indicated. ‘Praying” is talking with God. ‘Prophesying” is witnessing to fellow human beings. Men are to show the subjection to Christ by having their heads uncovered or unveiled. When the Bible uses the word “covered” (in verses 4,6), the word “veiled” is equally correct. The veiling is a recognizable sign-covering that has spiritual significance. The wearing of a weather protection for the head has no spiritual meaning and therefore is not a fitting substitute for a veil.
Verse 5 (of 1 Corinthians 1 1) gives the practice for believing women. When Paul speaks of every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered, we believe he is speaking of a constant, active, spiritual occupation. It is not indicated in the text that Paul is giving public worship guidelines. If women only pray and witness during times of public worship, they are seriously limiting their devotion to Christ. It is no less a disgrace to pray unveiled out of the assembly than in it. When Paul begins teaching later in the chapter (1 Corinthians 11, verses 17-34)–about the Communion Service–he says three times, “when you come together.” This indicates that the Communion is a practice to be observed in a public meeting. No such phrase is given with regard to the wearing of the headveiling.
Verse 6 (of 1 Corinthians 11)says further, that if a woman will be rebellious toward the wearing of a veiling, she should be consistently wrong and cut her hair off too. But a woman’s hair is her glory; it is a shame for her to cut it off. And Paul does not suggest that one can cut some of it off and then be able to cover the shame of that act by wearing a veiling. For those who can’t understand what “long hair” is, we suggest they put the scissors away and God will demonstrate how long–“long”–is.
Jesus clearly said we cannot serve two masters. The teaching in 1 Corinthians 11 helps to keep Christian women from being a slave to the constantly changing hair fashions of the world. We believe God is displeased with women who live in the height of worldly fashion and style, and then wear a mini-covering on mini-hair for a mini-period of time (at a lovefeast service or a Sunday worship period).
Verse 10 (of 1 Corinthians 11) declares that the veiled head of a Christian woman will encourage power and protection from the guardian angels. Testimonies can be gleaned which give clear witness to this fact. Men have power in their bodies, but women may have power on their heads.
In verse 16, the Apostle clearly sees that contention will arise over this instruction about the veiling. He makes no compromise, however, for those who would be contentious. He says, “We have no such custom (referring to verse 13 which speaks of women praying to God uncovered), and neither do the churches of God.” Churches that want to be true to God will still uphold this Bible teaching.
One of the tragedies occurring among many believers in the church, is the failure to walk in increasing light. The Apostle John writes an important truth reminding us that keeping the Lord’s commandments is an expression of our love to God when he says, “He who says, ‘I know him,’ and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). One work of the Holy Spirit is to lead believers on and on in the way of truth and righteousness. The person who will not follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, will usually fall prey to the dictates of another spirit. Remember that the world passes away, and the lusts thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever (See 1 John 2:17).
AN EDITORIAL ADDENDUM:
The January, 1987 issue of the Church of the Brethren Messenger contains an article written by pastor Larry Dentler on the sisters’ prayer covering. A concluding sentence in that article says, “It is far too important to our Brethren heritage….to just ignore it any longer without some renewed work at thorough study and discussion.”
The last Annual Conference decision on the matter of the sisters’ veiling was made in 1926 at Lincoln, Nebraska. The committee that prepared the report gave a concise commentary on the 1 Corinthians 11 passage, and then said, “We therefore conclude that Paul’s arguments on this subject, instead of being local in their application, are general and apply to the churches throughout all Christendom.” This decision of Annual Conference has never been rescinded, and it should be an incentive to reinstate the practice of wearing the veiling in congregations where it has disappeared. If we are expected to pay heed to Annual Conference guidelines, why not take seriously a Biblical guideline that has been in the Church of the Brethren Minute Books for 66 years? The teaching is still printed in black and white on the pages of the New Testament also! In fact, the New Revised Standard Version (copyrighted by the NCC 1989) is a clear rendition of 1 Corinthians 11:4-5. It says, “Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head…for if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil.” Is there any New Testament injunction that is more clear than that?