This question of biblical interpretation has come up from several different conversations lately, which is why it's on my mind. I know that it sounds as if I'm spoiling for a fight, but that wasn't really my intent.
I would like to pull a few of you aside and ask how you deal with this stuff.
For real.
Except, I feel like someone who's been abducted by aliens, because you all look at me like I need to take my meds. So my questions don't get answered.
I'm really asking this: If I go ahead and stop covering my head for worship, and talk freely at church, what is the next step? What will it do to my understanding of Who God is, and how I am to take Him at His Word? I have based my desisions on Scripture being Absolute and solid. If the bible doesn't mean what it appears to say, then how am I to live? (Is that a UFO in the sky?)
Tonight I am feeling lonely for several reasons. House church is tonight and 500 miles away. One friend whom I love is sad, and I don't know why. That, and I think I should keep my questions to myself.
7 comments:
Kellly,
Seems to me you have a perfect time available to you now to read and pray for answers to those questions nagging at your core.
With the boyz out fishing so much, you probably have some...
b-k
You are asking for people to try and convince you one way or another on something only God can.
I am convinced by God, not people that I don't have to cover my head at church. It does not mean I should (or would) try to convince you to do the same. Mostly because it isn't something worth fighting about. In Romans 12:18 God says as far as it depends on me, live peaceably with all men. Why would I want to start a contentious disagreement. I've heard people do this over the tribulation, and it's actually quite ridiculous.
Pre-trib, mid-trib, Post-trib...
I am pan-trib by the way--- It will all pan out in the end. ha
-No man will be able to give you a satisfactory answer to your questions.
~paj
ps I am not as sad as I was yesterday. thanks for praying for me.
After re-reading the previous post something monumental occured to me. I'm not throwing it out, I've read it, over and over, I believe the passage is true. It taught me a great deal on headship and on what my behavior should be while at church. Especially when sitting next to my husband. These are great truths that I take to heart and put into practice. I thank God for revealing them to me. I guess what I mean is for me reading that passage became a heart issue. I take it to heart, and apply what I've learned. You take it literally and apply what you've learned. The question you should ask is who are you covering your head for? And, are you applying it in your heart as well as on your head? Is wearing the covering on your head reminding you of your place and the respect that needs to be shown to God, as your head, and to those He has placed over you, or are you wearing it as a reminder of how obediant you are to scripture? Does the head covering save you in some way...from God's wrath later on perhaps? Maybe it's a fear of God issue? And, if that's the case, is being obediant to scripture distracting you from what God really wants to teach you? And why, if you are taking the passage literally, are you not covering your head every time you pray?
Oh, man did I just make your head hurt more? Sorry, I think I got carried away. I was actually just wanting to thank you for bringing it up because it gave me an opportunity to re-visit this passage and remember what God has taught me through it. When I read it the first time God expected me to honor an unbelieving husband. Now God has actually given me a husband who loves Him to honor. He is an awesome God!
I actually have a similar response as Kara. I went and reread the passage over and over. And what I see you taking literally, I see as a heart attitude.
I think I can much better maintain that level of humility without the outward display. For me, at my church, covering my head would draw so much attention, that it would defeat the purpose altogether. I can adopt the intent behind the covering without the covering, I believe.
Can you accept that others interpret the passage differently without anger or frustration? Because I feel like your posts have an air of divisiveness. It borders on legalism. I've had some pretty nasty experiences with legalism, so I may be being hyper-sensitive here, but I think you need to be careful.
I admire and respect your interpretation of this scripture. But I don't agree with it. That said, I think we can still worship together and love God beside one another and spread the gospel together. And thank goodness we can share a glass of wine and some good bread together.
I love you friend. You are unique and wonderful and full of the most inspiring faith. I love that we disagree on many issues - but that we're able to respect each other's points of view and learn from them.
Smooch you, my friend.
It is more important that you do as you are lead by the Holy Spirit in all areas of your life. If you feel the slightest guilt over not covering - then cover. If you feel no guilt, examine yourselve to know you have not silenced God in your life and see if my not covering God is giving you an area for ministry (whom would not listen to you if you did cover!).
On the other hand, covering is a beautiful statement of faith of your understanding of God's desires and purposes. But it is what is in your heart, not what is on your head that God will judge you for!
I used to have long hair, extremely long hair. And I loved my thick, wavy hair. But, one day in my early 30's I read about it being a 'shame' for a man to grow his hair long. And I struggled with this mightily. Although I did not have long hair in order to identify with the culture around me - it did so even if I could not have cared less. And I cut it to mid ear roughly.
Yes, the issue was cultural to the Near East, yes I could have convinced myself it was no big deal and kept it long, but then again....... I am a Biblical literalist, I do only see black and white on issues - when the real question or real issue has been identified.
If covering offends those around you, find out why. What is it they are really attempting to justify? And if it is so unimportant, how come most of Christianity outside of America does cover female heads AND shoulders. Hmmmm?
Oma told me to tell you that if you wrap your head in aluminium foil the aliens can not reach you!
via kjp
The aliens! I want them to reach me!
Hi Kris. Are you at Oma's?
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