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R. C. Sproul (theologian & pastor): “We are persuaded that the biblical mandate [of head covering] is still in effect... When Paul says the women are to cover their heads, he is basing that action on how God created male and female... If there's ever an indication of a perpetual ordinance in the church, it is that which is based on an appeal to Creation... I think that the symbol should remain intact as a sign of our obedience to God.” Published in: "Now, That's A Good Question" (page 347)

Recent posts

Church-Only Covering: Re-Evaluating the Best Arguments

This is the second article in a three-part series seeking to biblically answer the question, “When and where am I supposed to wear a head covering?”

Here are the titles of all 3 articles (links will be added when each is published)…

  1. “Covering Beyond Sunday Morning?”
  2. “Church-Only Covering: Re-Evaluating The Best Arguments”
  3. “Covering While Praying or Prophesying: So, Exactly When Is That?”

 

You may view/download a PDF version of this article here.

 

INTRODUCTION

In the eleventh chapter of First Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explained the Christian practice of head covering. The first article in our 3-part series considered the context for when that head covering practice was to occur. It found that Paul taught Christian women to use a covering while praying or prophesying (in other words, while communicating to God or from God). Christian men were to uncover their heads during the same activities.

The article pointed out that Paul did not mention the Sunday morning church service during his instructions about head covering, nor state that the local church gathering was the only location where coverings were to be worn. Instead, he gave clear indications that head coverings were also intended for use beyond the congregational church assembly. Further, Paul’s specific reasons for covering did not exclusively relate to church gatherings. Instead, his reasons for covering applied wherever prayer and prophecy occur.

The article concluded that the Bible provides an open door for the use of coverings beyond the Sunday morning assembly. After all, Christian women often pray outside of church services! However, there is more to this discussion that’s worth examining. Those who advocate for “church-only” covering often base their position on four main arguments. The previous article in this series did not consider or respond to those arguments. It’s only proper that we carefully consider other perspectives, and that’s what this article is all about. Read more

Covering Beyond Sunday Morning?

This is the first article in a three-part series seeking to biblically answer the question, “When and where am I supposed to wear a head covering?”

Here are the titles of all 3 articles (links will be added when each is published)…

  1. “Covering Beyond Sunday Morning?”
  2. “Church-Only Covering: Re-Evaluating The Best Arguments”
  3. “Covering While Praying or Prophesying: So, Exactly When Is That?”


You may view/download a PDF version of this article here.

 

HUMAN QUESTIONS & BIBLICAL ANSWERS1) The main goal of this article is not to outline the full range of situations where a head covering is biblically required. Instead, this article simply argues that the Scripturally intended range of situations includes more than the local church assembly. A future article in this series will further discuss the exact contexts that the Apostle Paul had in mind. The purpose of this article is only to see that although Paul’s instructions about covering are certainly applicable to the Sunday church service, they are not limited to it.

Both the Apostle Paul and the First Century churches promoted the standard use of head coverings by Christian women (1 Corinthians 11:16). However, in our modern era, a follow-up set of practical questions is often asked: “During what times and in what situations does God intend for a head covering to be worn?”2) And similarly: “When and where does God want Christian men to take off their hats?” I believe that there are two primary reasons why these questions often prompt curiosity and confusion.
Read more

References

1.
 The main goal of this article is not to outline the full range of situations where a head covering is biblically required. Instead, this article simply argues that the Scripturally intended range of situations includes more than the local church assembly. A future article in this series will further discuss the exact contexts that the Apostle Paul had in mind. The purpose of this article is only to see that although Paul’s instructions about covering are certainly applicable to the Sunday church service, they are not limited to it.
2.
 And similarly: “When and where does God want Christian men to take off their hats?”

Introducing: The Covering Counselor

Here at the Head Covering Movement, we’ve started something new! In addition to our regular content, we’re adding some head covering poster art: “Engaging Advice in Just 4 Frames.”

These graphics (example below) are posted on our Facebook page, our Facebook Community Group, and our Instagram profile every Saturday.

Or, you can find them all on our website here.

If you have any ideas for new poster art, you’re welcome to share them through this form. We would love to get your input!

As always, if you want more detailed information on practical head covering issues, we recommend that you browse through our articles.

Covering Testimony: Allura Lightfoot

Name: Allura Lightfoot | Age: 66 | Location: Mills River, North Carolina | Date started covering: April, 2023


1) Introduce yourself to our readers.

God has been so good to me. He rescued me from clinical depression back in 2006, a time of life that included an eating disorder, self-harm, irrational & paralyzing fears, straying from the boundaries of my marriage through adultery, and subsequent suicide attempts. He set me FREE and I have walked in that freedom for 17 years now!

God also reconciled my husband and I as we trusted in Him alone, and we are now more in love than when we married 44 years ago! We are active in our church and also in ministry as we stand together at Planned Parenthood against the evil of abortion, offering help to moms with unplanned pregnancies.

I don’t share all this to brag about myself but to boast in the Lord. He has done this mighty work in my heart, and I will sing of His love forever! Without Him, I wouldn’t care about anyone besides myself. Our marriage is a trophy of God’s amazing grace to a lost and dying world. So when the Lord impressed on my heart that covering my head in church was a way to express my love for Him and also to honor my husband, how could I refuse? Read more

“A Symbol & A Prayer”

On the Head Covering Movement, we’ve posted an abundance of articles, videos, sermons, and other information we believe will be helpful to HCM’s followers — but for the first time, we have something a little different: a head covering poem meant to inspire and encourage you!

We hope you enjoy this creative writing project, submitted anonymously by someone who has been devoted to the head covering practice for many years.

Below the poem are options to download it in 4 different styles. You can save the poem as a picture file (easier for viewing & posting) or as a PDF file (easier for printing).  The author grants permission for you to share it with friends, post it on social media, print it as a wall-hanging, or use it however you’d like.  You can also download one (large) PDF file containing all four styles by clicking here.

Read more

Why I Cover My Head // plus Headcovering Tutorial

In this video, Lindsay and Brackin Kirkland from the vlog Tiny Notes from Home explain why and how Lindsay covers her head — giving biblical reasons, answering practical questions, and wrapping up with a headcovering tutorial. They give a gracious, balanced, and refreshing perspective on the Christian headcovering practice.

They also publish inspirational Christian music on their YouTube channel Sounds Like Reign, “a ‘sonic exploration of faith in God’ featuring sweeping soundscapes and passionate lyrics. This original music has been composed to inspire the wandering mind to focus on our Creator and walk in the light of His son Yeshua (Jesus).”

Is Head Covering Related to Spiritual Gifts? A Response to Barry York

“On Headcoverings” is the title of an article published on the reformed blog Gentle Reformation. The essay was written by Barry York, who serves as the General Editor of the blog and president of Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He introduces the question that the article seeks to answer:

From colonial times even up to our fathers’ generation, our culture, which was undeniably influenced greatly by Biblical Christianity, saw women regularly don caps, bonnets, hats, and veils in the church. So it raises the question. Are head coverings necessary attire for the Christian woman?

He answers the question by sharing that his wife does not wear a head covering “because she is not a prophetess.”1) York, Barry. “Why My Wife Does Not Wear a Headcovering.” Gentle Reformation, 29 Apr. 2019, https://gentlereformation.com/2019/04/29/why-my-wife-does-not-wear-a-headcovering/ This is a view that connects head covering to the use of miraculous spiritual gifts, rather than to common prayer or worship. In this article, I provide a response to argue that the context of the head covering passage (1 Cor. 11:2-16) is not related to miraculous gifts but to corporate worship. Read more

References

1.
 York, Barry. “Why My Wife Does Not Wear a Headcovering.” Gentle Reformation, 29 Apr. 2019, https://gentlereformation.com/2019/04/29/why-my-wife-does-not-wear-a-headcovering/

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