Holy Magic Hair – Heresy Exposed

David Bernard Weighs In …. An HMH Exclusive

Posted on 21. Jul, 2008 by admin in HMH Articles

Here are my thoughts:

1. We are saved by grace through faith, not works. Our faith issues forth in obedience, so that as we walk by faith we will endeavor to obey God’s Word. God’s grace, which we receive through faith, is God’s work in us. He progressively transforms us so that we have the desire and power to do His will. Of course, we have the responsibility to let God’s work be manifest in our lives. (See Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 2:11-12; Hebrews 12:10, 14.)

2. We cannot earn favors from God through our works. Likewise, we are not exempt from the trials of life simply because we serve God. (See I Corinthians 10:13; I Peter 5:9.) At the same time, God does honor our faith in many ways, so that by our prayer of faith we can receive many miraculous answers, avoid many unnecessary temptations, and receive divine supply for many needs. (See Matthew 6:11-13; Philippians 4:19.)

3. Regarding hair, and specifically the reference to angels in I Corinthians 11:10, below is an excerpt from my book, In Search of Holiness, rev. ed. 2006.:

New Testament teaching – We now turn to the New Testament teaching on hair as found in I Corinthians 11:1-16. Most denominational churches ignore this passage, concluding that it does not apply today. Some interpret it to mean that women must pray with some type of cloth on their heads. Most conservative churches at one time taught women to have long hair, and some continue to do so today.

All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (II Timothy 3:16). We should not ignore any passage of Scripture, for each is precious and important. We should especially heed instructions to the New Testament church, for we are part of that church. Let us analyze this passage of Scripture in that light.

Verses 1-2. Paul admonished believers to follow him and to keep the ordinances or teachings that he had delivered to them. Among these ordinances is his teaching concerning hair in the subsequent verses.

Verse 3. God is the head of Christ. As a human, Jesus submitted to the eternal Spirit of God that dwelt in Him, thereby setting an example for us. Christ subjected His flesh to the plan and purpose of God, even unto death (Philippians 2:8).

Similarly, Christ is the head of the man, and the man is the head of the woman. God intends for the man to be the leader of the family. He is to be the spiritual representative of the home. In the beginning, God held Adam primarily accountable for human sinfulness. The sins of fathers particularly affect children (Exodus 20:5). Moreover, a woman is to respect the leadership of her own husband (Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18; I Peter 3:1).

Verse 4. A man should not have his head covered when he prays or prophesies. If he does, he dishonors his head or leader, namely, Christ. Prophesying includes any anointed preaching and testimony.

Verse 5. A woman who prays or prophesies (including preaching and testimony) with her head uncovered dishonors her head or leader, which is the man. In other words, the sexes should not try to change places. The woman’s covering is a sign of her role in God’s plan. According to verse 15, long hair is the symbolic covering that God has given her, and according to verse 6 it should be unshorn or uncut.

Verse 6. If a woman is not going to cover her head (by letting her hair grow long), then this is equivalent to cutting off her hair. But this is a disgrace or a shame to her. It signifies the taking away of her glory in God’s sight. Since it is a shame for her hair to be shorn (cut) or shaved, she should be covered (let her hair grow long).

Verses 7-9. Adam was created in the image of God and subsequently Eve was also (Genesis 1:26-27). The man is the representative of the family before God, with the authority and responsibility to provide for his family, protect his family, and lead his family spiritually. As a sign of his position, his head should not be covered (with long hair, verse 14). The woman originally came from the man (Genesis 2:22). She is his partner, a helper comparable to him (Genesis 2:20), who respects his position and follows his godly leadership. Woman is the crowning glory of man. To demonstrate this relationship, her head should be covered (verse 6) with her glory, which is her long hair (verse 15). In short, male and female are equally important in God’s plan, but their roles are distinct, and God wants this distinction to be displayed and preserved outwardly by their hair.

Verse 10. The angels are involved with this subject, as they observe the obedience or disobedience of humans to God’s plan. The angels desire to look into our salvation (I Peter 1:12). Pride and rebellion caused the fall of Satan and many angels (I Timothy 3:6; Isaiah 14:12-15). Thus, a woman should have “power” on her head on her head as an example to the angels. The Greek word here is exousia, meaning “authority,” and in this context it indicates a mark or sign of authority. The angels look to see if women have the sign of consecration, submission, and power with God, or if they are rebellious like Satan. Women’s hair shows the angels whether or not the church is submissive to Christ, the head of the church.

Verses 11-12. Women are not inferior to men, and men are not complete without women. Both depend on each other. This principle of complementarity and interdependence is especially true in the church. The roles are different, however, and God has designated the man to be the leader of the family.

Verse 13. Paul used a question as a part of his teaching method. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God uncovered? His answer is no; it is a shame for her to do so (verse 5).

Verse 14. Nature, not just custom, teaches a man to have short hair but a woman to have long hair. Since God is the Creator of nature, the teaching of nature in this situation comes from God. God’s purpose is to make a distinction of the sexes in this area.

Verse 15. A woman’s hair is given for her glory and for a covering to satisfy the requirements of the preceding verses. This verse does not mention any other covering such as a hat or scarf. It would be difficult for a woman to put on a scarf every time she prays or witnesses to someone, especially if she prays without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). This verse explains that a woman does not have to wear a veil of cloth; her hair is sufficient covering.

The Greek word for “have long hair” here is koma¯o, which means “wear long hair, let one’s hair grow long”3 or “wear tresses of hair.”4 The word for “covered” in verse 6 is katakalupt¯o, meaning “to cover wholly, i.e., to veil.”5 The word for “covering” in verse 15 is peribolaion, which is “something thrown around one, i.e., a mantle, veil.”6 Thus, verses 5-6 teach that a woman’s head should be covered wholly or veiled. Verse 15 says her hair is a mantle or veil; it is a symbolic article of apparel for the head. Clearly, long hair is the covering that meets the requirements of verses 5, 6, and 13.

Verse 16. The people of God are not contentious. The church has no custom of being contentious over the teachings of God’s Word. It has no custom regarding hair other than what Paul had just described. Some say this verse means that if anyone disagrees with these teachings then obedience is not required. If this were true, however, then Paul’s entire teaching in this section would be in vain, and he would be condoning contention and disobedience. Paul would not say, “If you do not have such a custom, then you are not required to obey the Word of God and the ordinances of the church.” Reading verses 2 and 16 together, the message is that we should obey these teachings instead of being contentious.

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David Bernard’s, In Search of Holiness is available here

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