fbpx

Navigate / search

Our Response to “Uncovering The Head Covering Movement” Part 2: From the Heart of a Head Covering Woman

Adam McIntosh, pastor at St. David’s Reformed Church in Houston, and writing for Kuyperian Commentary, published an intriguing three-part series attempting to “uncover the head covering movement.” In Part One of the series, he introduced “10 vital questions which must be answered” in order to understand what the Bible really teaches about head covering. In Part Two, he attempted to answer these 10 questions. Part Three addressed the “dangers to be avoided” when head covering.

Since Head Covering Movement Co-Director David Phillips already did an excellent job of addressing the theological assumptions and objections brought up in this series, my goal is simply to respond as a head covering woman to some of the ideas put forth in McIntosh’s series. I agreed with some of his ideas. Others I found to be inaccurate. And I felt that some of them were a bit offensive. I will be addressing this from a “heart” perspective.

 

One major idea I could totally agree with

The author says, “In every matter of doctrine, scripture must be the final arbiter of truth. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what Christians have believed or practiced throughout church history. What matters is if those things are required by scripture or not” – and I agree. Studying what Christians have believed and practiced throughout church history can be very useful since it reveals how they interpreted certain portions of Scripture (and in the case of the early church, these Christians were closer to the original language, culture, and apostles than we are). But our ultimate authority must always be Scripture itself.

In addition to this major idea, there were other thoughts the author put forth which I felt were very logical and biblical. In fact, the author’s viewpoint in many ways actually aligned very well with what we at the Head Covering Movement believe, too! I wonder if he is aware of this?

 

Ideas that I thought were inaccurate 

On the other hand, there were a few things the author said that I thought were inaccurate. Here is one example:

Headcoverers often give three primary reasons for their practice: (1) to show submission to their husbands, (2) to fight the perils of feminism, and (3) to restore modesty in a sexualized culture. But none of these reasons are given by Paul. They are absent from the text. Paul says it’s ‘because of the angels.’ We must account for his reasoning instead of creating our own.

Wait a minute… none of these reasons are given by Paul? Well, okay, he didn’t state things exactly the way they are stated above, but there is a basis for them in the text. Submission to husbands is based on the hierarchy we see in verse three (the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God). This is shown – for married women – to specifically mean submission to their own husbands in Ephesians 5:23-24.

One of the perils of feminism is its rebellion against God-given roles. However, in verses seven and eight, we read, For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.” This is clearly a contrast to modern-day feminism. If we were to follow the biblical principle (and accompanying symbol of that principle) that is being taught here, yes, it would certainly help us to fight one of the perils of feminism. We didn’t make that up.

And finally, does the Bible teach that we should head cover for reasons of restoring modesty? It depends on which definition of “modesty” you are using. If you are referring to clothing standards that do not trigger lust, then we agree that head covering itself cannot “restore modesty.” But if you mean that a woman should cover her head because “woman is the glory of man (verse seven), and “if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her (verse 15), and, furthermore, that no flesh should glory in [God’s] presence” (1 Cor. 1:29), then I would say: “Yes, the biblical teaching on head covering does serve to restore modesty.” In this case, “modesty” means being properly humble before God while engaging in the spiritual activities of praying or prophesying, which aligns well with the original definition of the word.

None of these reasons for head covering are invented by those of us who cover. However, these are not the only primary reasons given by those who believe in head covering. Head Covering Movement founder Jeremy Gardiner gives as his reasons: 1) Creation Order, 2) Angels), 3) Nature, and 4) Church Practice. David Phillips adds a fifth reason, Glory, to this list. I believe that all five are biblical reasons. However, the only one McIntosh alludes to as a valid reason is “angels.” This is probably since the only time the English word “because” is used in the passage is in the phrase “because of the angels.” However, the word “for” is used numerous times. One example: “For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.” The two words “because” and “for” mean essentially the same thing. The whole passage is really just one long explanation to help the Corinthians “understand” (verse 3) the reasons for this universal church practice (verse 16).

 

Ideas that were a bit offensive to me

Finally, despite the fact that I actually found myself agreeing with many of his positions as I read through the series, I did begin to feel a bit offended near the end.

It is illogical to say that something is wrong just because feminists do it. Christians must stand against unbiblical views of men and women, absolutely. But it’s a scare tactic to label anything you don’t like as ‘feminist.’ We must be better than that.

Who says this? Who’s using this “scare tactic”? Plenty of people are better than that. I hope I am.

Yes, feminism has infiltrated many churches; it is insidious and harmful in many ways. But, those who head cover certainly don’t “label anything [they] don’t like as ‘feminist.’” If we can see that feminism is a culprit (and in the case of the loss of head covering, I think it can be fairly shown that it is at least one of the culprits), then it makes sense that we wouldn’t be shy in declaring that fact. But it’s not a scare tactic. It’s not inaccurate; it’s just history.

Not all women who believe in biblical roles for men and women also believe in head covering. Author Lori Alexander of The Transformed Wife is one example (view her reply to this comment). I personally know other women who don’t wear a head covering and yet believe in and practice biblical womanhood. Do I think these women are feminists? No. Do I think they’re missing out on something beautiful and important? Yes.

Some women don’t wear a head covering because they have studied this issue and so far simply don’t agree with those who believe in head covering (like McIntosh). This is an honest difference of interpretation. This happens quite often in Christianity, over many different secondary issues which are not always as clear-cut as we would like them to be, yet are nevertheless important and worthy of our best attempts at obedience. For example, we have the common questions about who should be baptized  (infants, children, adults?), which day to come together as a church (Saturday, Sunday, any day?), modes of worship (acapella or with instruments; hymns or contemporary?), etc. It’s okay to have an honest disagreement over things like this. It doesn’t mean anyone is in blatant rebellion. What one person sees as “clear” others may not be so sure of. We can be patient with each other’s differing theological viewpoints without assuming wrong motives. 

This same attitude of generosity should equally apply to both women who cover and to those who don’t. Similar to how we should be careful to not misjudge the motives of women who don’t cover, we should also be careful to not misjudge the motives of women who do

However, it appears to me that author Adam McIntosh is doing just that.

He says, “Headcovering might appear to be a harmless and innocent practice, and it is if done for style and fashion. But covering for biblical reasons comes with serious dangers to be avoided.

What are the dangers he is referring to?

  • Legalism
  • Creating division
  • Vanity and showing off
  • Idolatry

I’m glad he isn’t accusing all head covering women of these sins. He simply says they are “dangers to be avoided.” However, by saying that he seems to be putting head covering women (who cover for biblical reasons) in a negative category: Potentially Harmful Individuals To Be Careful Of. Ouch.

I don’t know if I would feel comfortable in his church. Would he and the rest of the church leadership be worried that I would poison others with legalism, division, vanity, or idolatry? Would they feel they had to be extra careful around me?

On the Kuyperian Commentary website, one reader named Steve Perry wrote a comment below “Part Three” of McIntosh’s article: “Greetings Pastor McIntosh. Just reading your 3pt blog on 1st Cor 11 over the past week, my question is, will you allow someone who wishes to practice this, membership in your CREC church? Please be direct. Thank you brother.”

Pastor Adam McIntosh’s response was gracious: “Steve, my church does not have any policy against women wearing coverings in worship. Since it is not sinful to wear a covering, you have to be careful about creating any official ‘rules.’ (Some of our members wear a covering, only occasionally, for style/fashion.) However, if a newcomer was covering because of 1 Cor. 11, I would want to speak with them about our church’s stance and ask that they be willing to studying the issue with us. A friendly conversation of that sort would likely determine if we were a good fit for them or not.”

Nice response. And yet, I’m not totally convinced. His statement that “covering because of biblical reasons is problematic” leads me to question how flexible he and his church would really be. McIntosh is clear that those who promote head covering as a command are guilty of legalism, and that those who practice head covering are wearing “a sign of self-righteousness.”

 

The heart behind it all

I wonder how many head covering women McIntosh has actually talked to? Does he know why they cover? Does he understand their motives? Does he know them as people and not just those who hold a view he doesn’t agree with? What if I could sit down with him for a bit and tell him how I feel about head covering – would that help him understand the heart behind it, or would he still see it as dangerous?

First, I would tell him how hard it was for me to get up the courage to wear a head covering to church. When I first started, I felt awkward and self-conscious, like when you have a big pimple on your nose and hope people don’t notice too much. Head covering in church in front of all those people didn’t make me feel beautiful just then. I wondered, would people stare at me? Would they think I was trying too hard to please God – in other words, would they think I was legalistic? (The dreaded word!) What if they said something negative that made me feel like crying? Could I rush to the bathroom quick enough to hide my tears?

Actually, in those first weeks, someone did say something very negative to me about how I was supposedly trying to earn my salvation, but without ever talking with me first. This person just assumed my motives and made a decision to be against me right from the start. There was no room for peaceful discussion, for explaining, for anything other than silently looking after that person’s angry, retreating form. 

Thankfully, there weren’t many negative responses. Mostly, people didn’t say anything and seemed to wish to avoid noticing I had a head covering on. However, that didn’t take away the nervousness – not completely. I spent 11 years in our previous church being the only one who covered. Believe me, I didn’t do it to show off. That was the last thing on my mind. In fact, it never even entered my mind.

I think that women who take model-like photos of themselves to post on social media in head covering groups may sometimes appear as if they’re showing off, but my personal opinion is that they’re really trying to find the confidence, among friends, to do something counter-cultural. It takes guts to face your church in a head covering. They are also probably trying to find and share ideas about how to actually wear a head covering, since there are not often any “real-life” friends you can talk to about this topic for support.

And, after these 11 years (almost 12 at this point) of head covering, what do you think: has it now become easy for me? Not exactly. We currently attend a church where about half the women cover, yet the memory of my experience at our previous church is still fresh. I’d gotten used to being the only one, sure, but there was definitely an ongoing inner struggle to continue to obey the Bible in this area while not having my fellow church goers’ support. I found it a challenge to be patient in my heart with what felt like a lack of concern from other Christians for this portion of Scripture.

Honestly, my greatest source of discouragement has come from this complacent attitude. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time studying about head covering, thinking about head covering, examining my why for head covering, considering and re-considering my motives . . . and after all this, even after hearing the many objections to head covering – no, especially after hearing the many objections to head covering – it has still made so much sense to me to keep moving forward. It is more clear to me than ever. I don’t cover in order to be liked. I don’t cover to show off. I don’t cover to senselessly try to earn my salvation. I don’t cover because I idolize looking modest or old-fashioned, or whatever. I have worn a head covering despite loneliness and discouragement because I would rather please God than try to please man.

I ask God to help me have patience with others’ current understandings. I pray for them. I try to remember that I didn’t always have the understanding I believe I’ve been graciously given. It was a process for me, and it will most likely be a process for others. They might be complacent now, or they might be totally against head covering now. They may even be honestly and totally oblivious to the text. But God, in time, may perhaps guide them to adopt a different stance.

As I’ve interacted with head covering women I’ve seen that these feelings of vulnerability and these struggles are not unique to myself – they are quite common, in fact. It would probably be much easier for you to find a head covering woman who is courageously trying to obey God despite her shyness and lack of confidence than it would be to find a head covering woman who is showing off. This picture of the “prideful head covering woman” is just not realistic, in my experience. It’s a false stereotype.

So if it’s that hard to do this counter-cultural thing, then why do it?

Simple: why does any Christian do anything with conviction? Because we honestly believe it’s what the Bible teaches. Some people believe things sincerely without doing much study. Other people believe things sincerely after much study. Most head covering women fall into the second category.

While I don’t disagree that there are certainly a few hazards we should be careful of, head covering actually comes with so many benefits! And since it’s a biblical teaching, you would expect it to, wouldn’t you? Instead of being something harmful, it has the potential to be something beautiful! Since I am a head covering woman, I can say this from experience. And I know plenty of other head covering women who would say it has helped them in similar ways.

Some examples could include: It is a visual tool that has helped me understand my place in God’s hierarchy in a way that is clear and easy to understand. It is a tangible reminder of my need to submit to the God-given authority in my life. When I sometimes don’t live up to that standard, it convicts and corrects me (helping me not be a hypocrite). It instructs me in the need to be humble before God, both when praying to Him and when talking to others about Him. It touches my physical senses in a way that proclaims the truth to myself and others through means that need little explanation; it is visceral, like partaking of the bread and wine during Communion. And there are other benefits . . .

Will others feel offended when they see me wearing a head covering? Perhaps. My challenge to them would be the same as they would present to me: Before you judge me, try to understand me. Don’t assume you know my motives.

And perhaps, in contrast to what Pastor McIntosh says, those who don’t believe in head covering really are wrong, and God is using head covering women to help bring them back to the truth. In that case, these women should be encouraged, supported, and honored for their humble obedience and bravery in the face of opposition – even if that opposition sometimes comes from well-meaning leaders in the church.

Jessica Roldan

Send this to a friend