Is Head Covering “Majoring in the Minors”?
For even more on this topic, check out this article.
For even more on this topic, check out this article.
Christian head covering is not a new belief. It is a practice with a long history that has been largely forgotten in the 21st century. Similar to the Reformers of years past, the goal of each generation of reformers is not to invent new doctrines, but to re-discover the old ones.
The 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon helped do this for the Doctrines of Grace, also known as Reformed theology. Although this system of Protestant beliefs was the dominant view during the Puritan age in England, during Spurgeon’s time it was a minority (and largely-forgotten) position. Steven Lawson explains the situation:
When Charles Spurgeon burst onto the scene in the mid-19th century, he appeared heralding the doctrines of sovereign grace. At that time, Calvinism was no longer the dominant theology in England, as it had been in Puritan times. Instead, the doctrines of grace were becoming obscured from public view, cast aside as dusty and archaic relics of primitive 16th-century Europe. Victorian England had come of age, it was supposed, and its philosophers championed the autonomy of man, not the sovereignty of God. The teaching of the Reformation had all but faded from the evangelical scene. But rather than becoming infatuated with the current theological fads, Spurgeon chose to stay true to the old paths, those laid out in Scripture long ago, including the teachings of sovereign grace. He said: “It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching; no new doctrine. I love to proclaim these strong old doctrines, that are called by nickname Calvinism, but which are surely and verily the revealed truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus.” (Lawson 37-38) 1) Lawson, Steven J. The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon. Reformation Trust Publishing, 2012.
Spurgeon is affectionately honored as the “Prince of Preachers,” not because he was a clever man who devised new theological fads, but because of his bold proclamation of doctrinal truths that had been forgotten in his generation. It is easy for the people of God to forget. We take the Lord’s supper regularly “in remembrance of [Jesus]” (1 Cor. 11:24 ESV) — because we are prone to forget. Every generation must take up the task of teaching Christian beliefs afresh, so that they will not be lost to the pages of history.
In Spurgeon’s day, the practice of head covering was not an abandoned doctrine but something that was commonplace. Referring to his own church, he wrote:
The reason why our sisters appear in the House of God with their heads covered is ‘because of the angels.’ The apostle says that a woman is to have a covering upon her head because of the angels, since the angels are present in the assembly and they mark every act of indecorum, and therefore everything is to be conducted with decency and order in the presence of the angelic spirits. (Spurgeon 98) 2) Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Spurgeon’s Sermons on Angels. Kregel Academic, 1996.
Spurgeon understood that the reason for head covering was not related to first-century culture, but rather to the angelic spirits (who transcend time, place, and culture).
Charles Spurgeon had a profound impact in both Christian theology and practice. Partly due to his influence, Reformed theology is more widely accepted nowadays. While the same cannot be said for the practice of head covering (yet!), the same principle applies. We must follow Spurgeon’s example by “[staying] true to the old paths, those laid out in Scripture long ago” (Lawson 38). 3) Lawson, Steven J. The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon. Reformation Trust Publishing, 2012.
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As the founder of the Head Covering Movement, I have the privilege of hearing from women (all around the world) as they begin following Paul’s instructions about head covering. Many times, I also hear as women abandon the practice. Starting and stopping, and re-starting then stopping — and then re-starting again — is sometimes common. Many others start covering for a time and later quit, never to return.
Throughout the years, I have noticed several characteristics of those who eventually abandon the practice of head covering. I’d like to share these trends with you so that you can evaluate whether any of them might be part of your life as well.
Maybe you’ve stopped head covering and you can see yourself in one or more of these situations. If so, can I encourage you to re-start in a different way than before? Go through our guided study of headcovering with an open Bible, and be convinced by the Scriptures about why head covering is for you. Buy some beautiful head coverings that make you smile when you look in the mirror. Try covering for church and maybe a few other distinct times if you feel like it’s helpful (such as your quiet time with the Lord). Let your glorious hair be seen all other times — it is God’s gift to you. Finally, make friends with other women who cover and intentionally encourage one another. If those women aren’t available locally, meet some new friends through our recently-started HCM Community Group.
The Head Covering Movement is planning to re-launch at the beginning of the new year!
However, there’s one caveat. We can’t launch without a team of content creators and curators behind us.
From 2013-2017, I (Jeremy Gardiner) was the primary author and curator of content. However, I am now in Bible school and have additional responsibilities which prohibit me from being relied upon to do as much as I did before.
As our name indicates, this website represents a growing movement of people coming together to encourage each other and spread a shared belief. So today, I am reaching out to everyone who considers themselves a part of this movement, asking you to consider helping with our re-launch.
We are assembling a team of content creators, managers and editors to help continue the work undertaken over the last few years. We believe that a greater diversity in voices will not only unite us in belief and practice, but serve to better share our beliefs with the wider church. Do you think you might be able to help? A list of possible tasks we need help with is set out below.
At the bottom of this page, you will find a form to fill out. This will tell us how you envision helping and why you’d be a good fit. If we can fill most roles in the next month or so, we will re-launch in early 2019 with consistent posting and all new content.
If you can’t help with your time, but want to give financially you can donate here. 100% of the funds will go towards the costs associated with re-launching and promoting this movement.
Here is a list of jobs we need help with:
These jobs should not be seen as exhaustive. If you have a great idea for how you can help in a way that we haven’t thought of, let us know. We’re open to promoting head covering in any way as long as it is done with excellence.
Hello everyone,
I wanted to provide a short update on why the Head Covering Movement has been quiet lately. I (Jeremy) started the four-year Biblical Studies program at Moody Bible Institute in March. I am doing this because I desire to enter pastoral ministry. Taking a full course load along with my business, family, and church responsibilities have left little time for HCM and other projects. On top of that, in two weeks I’ll begin the eldership training and testing process at my church.
Since I won’t have the same time I had in earlier days for HCM, it will need to enter a new season. It will either be periodically updated by me with a handful of articles and videos a year (as I still have more to say on this topic) or it may be the time to pass the torch and let someone else who is ambitious take over. This movement was never about me so I’d be glad to pass the leadership responsibility on. I’ll be praying for the latter (and I’d encourage you to as well) but if that person does not come then I’ll continue updating it here and there.
As far as my future plans with HCM, I have another full book I want to write. It’s dealing in-depth with the cultural view of head covering. I have already outlined it and started the first chapter. Another reason why I believe someone else would be better served running HCM is so I can devote my time to the book. There’s also a few in-depth articles I’d like to write that haven’t been dealt with yet on this site including the “testicle” view, the “covering” is your husband view, and I’d like to dive deeper into first-century Corinthian prostitution. I also have a handful of videos I’d like to make in addition to answering your questions.
So that’s where we’re at right now. If you believe you’re the right person to take over HCM feel free to send me a message. We’ll be looking for someone who has been convictional about head covering for some time (not a recent belief), has similar theology (Complementarian, Evangelical), excellent computer/internet skills, a good writer, along with the time to devote to HCM and passion for the topic. Men and women will both be considered.
Well, that’s it for now. Keep us in your prayers! I have a month off in July so hopefully, I’ll be able to get a new article or video up at that time.
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