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Is Head Covering Legalistic?

Head Covering Objections
The Objection: Head covering is legalistic and a return to the Law. We are saved by faith in Christ, not by what we do. Since it doesn’t affect our salvation, we don’t have to practice it.

Many who practice head covering today are viewed as legalistic. In order to comment on this charge, it’s important we first define the term. The word “legalism” isn’t found anywhere in the Bible nor is anyone in the Scriptures referred to as “legalistic.” It’s a word we’ve coined that refers to an incorrect view of law-keeping. Generally speaking, when someone is legalistic they’re doing one of two things:

  1. They believe their law-keeping makes (or keeps) them in a right-standing with God.
  2. They make laws out of issues that a Christian has liberty to decide for themselves.

For the first definition, it’s possible to be legalistic about any teaching in Scripture. Head covering should not be singled out, as no command is immune from this error. Read more

Elliott E. Johnson Quote Image #1

Elliott E. Johnson Quote Image #1

Source: Elliott E. Johnson – Expository Hermenutics: An Introduction (Zondervan, 1990) Page 259-260

If this quote has piqued your interest, read “Can we symbolize our roles using a different symbol?“

What the Early Christians Believed About The Head Covering

 What was Paul referring to in 1 Corinthians 11 when he said: “Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head”? Was he referring to a cloth veil? Was he talking about long hair? Was this just a local custom that applied only to the Corinthians? Were women who didn’t wear veils mistaken to be prostitutes? David Bercot takes his readers to the early Christian writings to get the facts.

Great introduction to Christian head covering with a special focus on what the early church believed about the practice. This is an audio lecture posted on YouTube. Running time is 1 hour and 7min.

Covering Testimony: Elizabeth Wiser

Head Covering Testimonies
Name: Elizabeth WiserAge: 26Location: Beer Sheva, IsraelStarted Covering: July 2011

Covering the Web: Elizabeth Wiser

1) Introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a second year American medical student studying abroad in Israel. Apparently choosing to study in Israel and not being Jewish is considered an unusual decision by both people back home and here in the land. But my school focuses on global health and gives us opportunities to work with Bedouins, African refugees, and Jewish immigrants from all over the world in addition to a global clerkship: which is perfect for me since I want to do medical missions in the future. Why should I wait another 5 or 10 years to learn how to thrive in a foreign culture where I don’t know the language and don’t have any contacts when I can learn now? If you’re still confused and shocked by my choice, just remember that I’m living in the same city in which Abraham lived. And every time the Bible talks about the south, or the wilderness, or the Negev, I can just look out my window, and I know exactly what it looks and feels like. Read more

Covering the Web: Jan 16/15

Covering The Web

Shining a spotlight on the head covering discussion happening worldwide.

  • Why Christian Women Want To Wear Head Coverings (Super Radical Christian Writer Chick)
    “…most people’s take on head coverings. If you wear one you must: a) be in a cult b) be a Muslim c) be in one of those Mennonite denominations NONE of these are true for me! I’m just a Christian who is committed to figuring out God’s true will for her life — in all aspects.”
  • Head covering for Christian women (YouTube)
    “Testimony of the reasons why as a Christian woman, I wear head coverings.”
  • So Long, Cute Hair Do (After “Normal” Ends)
    “Last spring, with all of the stress, frustration of what was going on in our marriage, and my decision to take over all aspects of our family, I just got tired of my long hair…This time, I went super short”
  • Let’s Get Traditional, Traditional. (A Kiwi and an Emu)
    We read 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and you immediately see that Paul considers headcovering to be part of a tradition. It’s very clear. But to some people it’s not. So let me quickly (hah!) run through the reasons we can know that Paul is talking about a tradition here.”
  • NOTE: David Phillip’s excellent book “Head Covering Throughout Christian History” is on sale for the Amazon Kindle. It’s only $0.99 through Jan 18th. Please do support this work and if you already have a copy, please leave a review on Amazon.
Found an interesting link about head covering or biblical manhood/womanhood? Tell us about it here.

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