EDITOR'S NOTE:
A number of years ago, we printed this article entitled--"THE
HAIR QUESTION": Thousands of copies have been sold and it has been
translated in a number of languages. Due to a constant stream of
request, we are re. printing it in the Standard as, "THE BRIDE
WON'T HAVE BOBBED HAIR". Any individual or organization may reprint
as many copies as they like. There is only one restriction - it must not
be copyrighted.
In recent years there has been quite a bit of controversy over the
question of whether a woman should or should not cut her hair. The
general consensus in the ranks of secular or modern religion and even in
some Pentecostal circles is that it is of little importance and should
be left to the discretion of the individual. Those who hold such
opinions are either ignorant of what the Bible actually teaches or else
because of the pressure of worldliness, deliberately and willfully
reject scriptural teachings. Nowhere has God ever left clear and express
commands to private judgement. The scriptures emphatically teach that a
woman should have long hair. It
further teaches THAT IT IS A SHAME FOR A WOMAN TO CUT HER HAIR.
Before we launch into the study of this question, it would be well that
we fix our minds the actual meaning of the
word SHAME. One of the alarming trends readily seen even in our own
ranks, ii that to many SIN HAS CEASED TO BE SINFUL AND SHAME IS NO
LONGER A REPROACH. In this age of spiritual peril and
moral degeneracy we are living so near the world that we have learned to
slumber peacefully as she soothes us with her siren song; assimilating
her color, assuming her characteristics, and conforming to her image.
Winston's Dictionary defines the word SHAME as follows:
A painful feeling of humiliation caused by the consciousness of guilt or
any other evil, immodesty or dishonor, ignominy, mortification,
humiliation, reproach, disgraee, abomination.
From the very beginning God has stressed the fundamental difference
between man and woman. He has always demanded that a man be manly and
the woman should be womanly. lt is an abomination in the eyes of God for
a man to be effeminate or for a woman to appear masculine. This is the
reason why God has condemned women wearing men's apparel, or of men
wearing that which pertains to a woman.
But it can be seen that in the last thirty or forty years, or since he
so-called flapper era, the human race has
strayed far from God's original standards of decency and purity, and is
doing its best to corrupt itself. For today, the image or ideal of
womanhood enshrined on the pedestals of fashion and society is not the
modest, Godly, woman of a meek and quiet spirit that has created
reverence and respect in the hearts of men of all ages. But rather the
opposite, "A cigarette sucking, beerguzzling, cock-tail sipping,
slacks and shorts wearing siren, with painted face and frizzled hair,
whose every motion and mannerism emphasizes "SEX" with a
capital "S." Impudently and brazenly she pushes herself into a
masculine world, then wonders why men do not respect her as they did her
grandmother. THANK GOD THAT OUR TRUE PENTECOSTAL WOMEN ARE NOT OF THIS
TYPE. lt should fill us with a sense of satisfaction as we stop and
consider that practically the only place a religious body where women
still hold to the biblical standards of godliness and modesty is in the
Jesus Name ranks of the Pentecostal church. I need not remind you that
the greatest problem confronting the church and the ministry is how to
hold the line against the steady encroachment of worldliness.
In the great economy of God or order of the universe, God has
established a place for every living creature and every created thing,
even a place for the sea, with its bounds set. He created the planets@,
some of them larger in diameter than our entire solar system, placed
them in their orbit never to vary a millionth of a second. He fixed the
bounds of the animal kingdom, the vegetable kingdom, and the angelic
host of heaven. Also he has established a place for man and a place for
woman. The first sin ever to stain the purity of the universe, was the
sin of rebellion. Lucifer through the pride of his heart, rebelled
against the authority of God and refused to occupy the position that God
had assigned him. He did not want God's hand over him. Hence the
pivot-point around which the whole HAIR QUESTION revolves is the
question of HEADSHIP or AUTHORITY. To set forth as clearly as possible
just what we mean, let us examine I Cor. 11:3-5, Paul speaking and I
quote; "But I would have you know that the head of every man is
Christ. And the head of the woman is the man. And the head of Christ is
God."
"Every man praying or prophesying having his head covered,
dishonoureth his head."
"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head
uncovered dishonoureth her head. For that is even all one as if she were
shorn."
In a brief analysis of the above passages of scriptures, let us
establish the following..
(l)--That the head of every man (and I am speaking of Christians) is
Christ. And man displays his submission to
Christ, by his uncovered head, or as we shall see in verses 13, 14, and
15 by wearing his hair short. IT IS A DISHONOR TO CHRIST FOR A MAN TO
WEAR HIS HAIR LONG.
(2)--That the head of every woman is man. And a woman displays her
submission to man (her head) by her covering or covered head, which as
we see in verse 15 is her long hair. THEREFORE IT IS A DISHONOR TO HER
HUSBAND AND HENCE TO HER GOD FOR A WOMAN TO WEAR HER HAIR SHORT.
"THE WEARING OF A VEIL OR HAT"
Let us further note that Paul is not necessarily dealing just with
husband and wife; But he speaks in a broader sense of man and woman. Not
only are wives to be under subjection to their husbands, but daughters
to fathers. God wants a woman to fill a woman's place and for a man to
fill a man's place.
LONG HAIR IS A SIGN OR SYMBOL OF SUBJECTION ON THE WOMAN'S PART.
BOBBED HAIR, IS A SYMBOL OF REBELLION.
In studying the eleventh chapter of I Corinthians, the question is often
asked, "WHAT ABOUT WEARING A VEIL OR HAT?" May we answer and
say that it was the custom of Eastern women, both then as well as today
to wear a veil in public. Only lewd women, harlots, etc., were seen
outside their homes without a veil. This was the stablished custom of
these countries, and as we have said before, such customs continue in
many places even today. BUT THE COVERING OR VEIL HAT GOD INTENDED WOMEN
TO WEAR REGARDLESS OF COUNTRY OR CUSTOM, HAS BEEN HER LONG HAIR.
For proof of this statement let us note I Corinthians 11:15-"But if
a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given her
for a covering.
The center reference rendering in the Scofield Bible of the word
"COVERING" is "VEIL." The same is true in Strong's
Concordance, Greek Dictionary, word No. 4018. The word
"COVERING" the original Greek was "PERIBOLAION,"
which means "SOMETHING THROWN AROUND ONE, THAT IS MANTLE, VEIL,
COVERING, VESTURE." Therefore, in the light of this, I Corinthians
11:15 could just as easily read, "FOR HER HAIR IS GIVEN HER FOR A
VEIL."
HOW LONG IS LONG HAIR?
Another question that we hear quite often is, HOW LONG MUST HAIR BE TO
BE CONSIDERED LONG? We have found that in all too many instances this
question is not asked in sincerity; but it is asked by those who are
seeking an excuse or loophole to evade the responsibility of bible
teaching.
We shall answer as briefly and to the point possible. In Paul's
teachings on this subject as found in the eleventh chapter of I
Corinthians, only three lengths of hair are mentioned.
(1)--Long Hair.
(2)--Hair that has been shorn.
(3)--Hair that has been completely shaven.
To clarify any doubt, let us turn to the dictionary and define these
various lengths of hair given here. FIRST . . .
let us look at the word SHORN. Which is (according to Winston) the past
particle of the verb SHEAR. It means to CUT OR CLIP SOMETHING FROM. TO
USE CUTTING SCISSORS, SHEARS OR THE LIKE.
The definition of the word SHAVEN means TO CUT CLOSELY, TO SKIM ALONG
NEAR THE SURFACE.
Therefore long hair, as God intends the word to mean, IS HAIR THAT HAS
NEVER BEEN, CUT, CLIPPED, BURNED, BROKEN, OR TOUCHED BY SCISSORS, SHEARS
OR THE LIKE. COMPLETELY NATURAL, UNTOUCHED BY ANY INSTRUMENT. For in the
light of this what is the difference whether a person cuts an inch or a
foot from their hair. They are still shearing or cutting their hair.
One young lady on reading the above paragraph before the tract was
revised wrote me and said, "According to your statement, then I
could never have long hair." "Because I have cut my
hair." Permit me to say that she is trying to read something in the
above paragraph that is not there at all. We have always recognized that
in such matters judgement begins at the House of the Lord. Or at the
time one repents and fully surrenders to God. The thing that counts is
not what you have done in the past before coming to God, .. BUT WHAT ARE
YOU DOING NOW SINCE YOU HAVE COME INTO THE LIGHT? If you are a member of
the church and you have been cutting your hair, the thing for you to do
is repent. Ask God to forgive you. Lay your scissors aside and make a
full consecration. I am sure that you will find the blessings of God
much richer. WE CANNOT HOLD TO THE GOD OF FASHION AND SOCIETY AND TO THE
GOD OF HEAVEN AT THE SAME TIME. I know that it is possible for one to
thin out part of their hair: to cut it off when it gets long and still
have enough to do up and fool most everybody. But God is not fooled.
A touching illustration in connection with this thought can be found in
Luke 7:37-38 about the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears
and dried his feet with the hair of her head. She could never have
rendered such a beautiful act of utter surrender and of love and
devotion had she been a modern woman with short hair.
Furthermore, if the paintings we see today of Christ and his disciples
accurately portray the fashions and customs of the early church, then
the male disciples of the Lord wore their hair a lot longer than some
Pentecostal women do today. As men they were required to wear their hair
short; But even so, it usually fell to the shoulders. The same could be
said of Paul. His hair would be much longer than the majority of women's
hair
today. Yet it was Paul who declared that it is a dishonor to God for a
man to wear long hair. Therefore if in New Testament times men wore
shoulder-length hair and it was considered short, then long hair for the
women must have been hair that had not been cut. A study of contemporary
history readily shows us that the artists who painted these pictures
were acquainted with the fashions and customs of those times.
BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS:
Let us study further another facet of this question. Note 1 Corinthians
11:10 - (Quote) "FOR THIS CAUSE OUGHT THE WOMAN TO HAVE POWER ON
HER HEAD BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS."
Let us note the center reference for the word "POWER." The
Scofield Bible renders the word, "AUTHORITY." Or the sign of
the husband's authority.
To further clarify this passage let us quote from the Weymouth
Translation. (Quote) "THAT IS WHY A WOMAN OUGHT TO HAVE ON HER HEAD
A SYMBOL OF SUBJECTION."
Moffatt's Translation of the Bible render it somewhat the same,
"THEREFORE IN VIEW OF THE ANGELS, WOMAN HAS TO WEAR A SYMBOL OF
SUBJECTION."
The Amplified Version of the New Testament gives this very interesting
rendering. (Quote) "THEREFORE SHE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO HIS
AUTHORITY AND SHOULD HAVE A COVERING ON HER HEAD AS A TOKEN, A SYMBOL OF
HER SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY, THAT SHE MAY SHOW REVERENCE AS DO THE
ANGELS AND NOT DISPLEASE THEM."
In the light of this it is needless for us to add that a woman's long
hair is a sign or symbol of not only her subjection to her husband but
also to her God.
But what of the Angels, and why does Paul say, "BECAUSE OF THE
ANGELS?" let us remember that many of the Angels fell. Satan or
Lucifer was one of the brightest Angels in heaven, yet he fell. They did
not commit adultery. In view of the glory and riches of heaven they did
not steal. The two sins that caused the Angels to fall were PRIDE and
REBELLION. Read lsaiah 14:12-17. Stubborn self-will is the cause of
rebellion. Seemingly of all the sins that men commit, God deals more
harshly with the sin of rebellion than all the other combined. Samuel in
reprimanding Saul, reminded him THAT REBELLION WAS AS THE SIN OF
WlTCHCRAFT. We know that God in dealing with Witches refused to let them
live in the land. May we remind our readers that after a woman has come
into the knowledge of the above truth, and then out of stubborn
self-will refuses to comply, SHE IS GUILTY OF THE SAME TWO SINS THAT
CAUSED THE ANGELS TO FALL: PRIDE...AND...REBELLION.
PRIDE...lest she arouse the world's ridicule. REBELLION...not only
against man (her head), but against Almighty God. If God spared not the
Angels, take heed lest he spare not thee.
Returning to the thought of the Angels, surely they are constant
spectators of our lives. Some Bible authorities hold that when a woman
with bobbed hair kneels to pray in open defiance and rebellion against
the authority of God, thus refusing to occupy the place God has assigned
her, that the Angels are tempted to rebel against authority also.
"PAUL'S APPEAL TO LOGIC"
In his discussion of this question, one will note that first Paul spoke
of the subjection of a wife to her husband. In
being subject to her Husband she was therefore being subject to God. But
he goes further. He appeals not only to the fact of God's attitude, but
he appeals to one's common sense and better judgement, and also to
nature itself. He says in Verses 13, 14 and 15, "JUDGE IN
YOURSELVES, IS IT COMELY THAT A WOMAN PRAY UNTO GOD UNCOVERED?"
"DOTH NOT EVEN NATURE ITSELF TEACH YOU THAT IF A MAN HAVE LONG HAIR
IT IS A SHAME UNTO HIM."
"BUT IF A WOMAN HAVE LONG HAIR, IT IS A GLORY TO HER. FOR HER HAIR
IS GIVEN HER FOR A COVERING."
Let us apply a little common sense here. If a man, regardless of what he
is, whether minister, laymember or deacon would come into the church
with his hat on, and during service refuse to take it off, we would
raise our hands in holy horror. Our conscience, our sense of decency and
propriety, our reverence and respect to God and his house teaches us
that for a man to preach or pray or even come into the house of God with
unbared head, would be the height of disrespect toward God. We are all
convinced that such a deed would dishonor God.
Can we not see that in the light of scriptural teachings it is just as
disrespectful, disgraceful and dishonoring to God and man for a woman to
pray or prophecy or even sing in the church with short hair. She has no
covering.
Note again carefully the basis of Paul's reasonings. (l)--God tells us
that it is not proper. (2)--Our better judgement tells us. (3)--And
finally nature itself teaches us. A threefold voice; God, conscience and
nature, teaching us the shame of the matter.
But the question is asked, "WHAT DOES NATURE TEACH ?" The
answer should be obvious to all. Man's hair by nature is short and
coarse; whereas, a woman's hair is thick and fine and extremely
abundant. Bald or partially bald men is a common sight, as many men lose
their hair, some of them in their youth. But BALD HEADED WOMEN are very
rare. May I ask the reader, "How many bald or partially bald women
have you seen your life-time?" Few I dare say. Is this not proof
that nature has made a difference between man and woman?
IF ANY MAN SEEM TO BE CONTENTIOUS:
Coming to Paul's final statement on this question, I quote verse
16--"BUT IF ANY MAN SEEM TO BE CONTENTIOUS, WE HAVE NO SUCH CUSTOM,
NEITHER THE CHURCHES OF GOD."
To the carnally minded seeking a loophole, this verse of scripture has
become a snare. Many wrest or twist it to their own destruction. Their
argument runs somewhat as follows: "Oh well even Paul said, we have
no custom to compel a woman to wear her hair long. It's merely a matter
of individual interpretation or taste."
How absurd. Paul said nothing of the kind. Again we say that if we seek
hard enough it is not too difficult to find a loophole whereby we might
escape the responsibility of Bible teachings.
What did Paul actually say? What did he mean when he said, "We have
no such custom?" No custom of what? What was the custom for women's
hair in the early New Testament Church? The answer can be plainly seen.
THE ONLY ACCEPTED CUSTOM FOR WOMEN'S HAIR IN THE EARLY NEW TESTAMENT
CHURCH WAS FOR THEM TO WEAR IT LONG, AND NOT TO CUT THEIR HAIR. Bobbed
hair as far as the world and fashion is concerned is very new, having
become universally accepted only in the last thirty or forty years. In
New Testament days only harlots were seen with shorn hair. I do not
hesitate in saying that bobbed hair is unscriptural and an utter
reproach to New Testament Christianity.
But to refute any ground for argument, let us examine the 16th verse of
I Corinthians as given by other translations. First let us note the
Moffatt Translation and I quote, "IF ANYONE PRESUMES TO RAISE
OBJECTION ON THIS POINT . . . WELL, I ACKNOWLEDGE NO OTHER MODE OF
WORSHIP, AND NEITHER DO THE CHURCHES OF GOD."
The Amplified Version renders it thus, "NOW IF ANYONE IS DISPOSED
TO BE ARGUMENTATIVE AND CONTENTIOUS ABOUT THIS, WE HOLD TO AND RECOGNIZE
NO OTHER CUSTOM THAN THIS, NOR DO THE CHURCHES OF GOD GENERALLY."
And last of all, do you think for a moment that Paul would write fifteen
verses of scripture, condemning the cutting of women's hair, telling the
shame and reproach of such a condition, and then end his discussion by
denying the whole matter. Such an interpretation is not only foolish,
but it does violence to the word of God.
THE REASONS WHY GODLY WOMEN SHOULD HAVE LONG HAIR:
(l)--The first reason is that long hair is a woman's glory. Note I Cor.
11:15--The word GLORY . . . as given in the original Greek means
DIGNITY, HONOR, PRAISE, WORSHIP.
(2)--It marks her as a woman of a meek and quiet spirit. It shows her
subjection to recognized authority, that she knows her place as a Godly
woman.
(3)--Because it is a dishonor to her husband, her father and to her God
to pray with uncovered head. (Note her hair is her covering).
(4)--Because it was the recognized custom of the New Testament Church in
Paul's day, and of our Pentecostal Church today. Surely any thoughtful
Christian wants to walk in harmony with the Church.
(5)--Because it is a shame for a woman to have short hair.
(6).-Because of the Angels. Some of them fell through the sins of pride
and rebellion. They refused to occupy the place God ordained for them.
Think of the Holy Angels of God who are constant spectators of our
lives.
(7)--Because God tells a woman it is wrong for her to cut her hair.
(8)--Because a woman's conscience and better judgement tell her it is
wrong for her to cut her hair.
(9)--Because even nature teaches that it is a shame for a woman to have
short hair.
(10)--Because the Bible teaches us not to conform to the image of this
world, but to be transformed. Surely every Godly woman knows what the
world considers the image or ideal of womanhood today. Their ideal has
frizzled hair and painted face. They have traded virtue for
sophistication; honor and self-respect for popularity. Jesus said,
"IF YOU ARE ASHAMED OF ME AND MY WORDS, IN THIS SINFUL AND
ADULTEROUS GENERATION, I'LL BE ASHAMED OF YOU BEFORE MY FATHER AND HIS
HOLY ANGELS."
Ladies, are you ashamed of your mark of virtue, your dignity, your
praise, your honor, your long natural hair?
(11)--Because it is a stumbling block to others for a woman to cut her
hair. The world knows our Pentecostal standards, and when sinners come
into our services and see those taking part who are not measuring to
these standards, it causes them to lose confidence in the church.
For example, a worldly boy commented to one of our Christian girls,
relative to women cutting their hair yet refusing to wear make-up, he
said, "SHORT HAIR AND PALE FACES JUST DO NOT GO TOGETHER."
(12)--Because of one's spirituality, Is is a shame for a woman to pray
with short hair. Today you may not need God. But one day you will need
Him more than anything else in the world. In death, in distress or
sickness "HOW WILL YOU BE ABLE TO KNEEL BEFORE HIM IN SINCERITY
WITH YOUR SHORT HAIR A VERY BANNER OF REBELLION, MOCKING HIM AND DEFYING
HIM EVEN AS YOU SEEK TO LAY HOLD OF HIM IN PRAYER?
You have defied the teachings of your Pastor, your church, the Bible,
your own conscience, of nature itself, the angelic host of heaven, and
finally God himself, to maintain your way.
(13)--Because of the Sacrament: Approaching the cup of communion in such
a condition. Anything that would make us unworthy to take the cup of
communion, would likewise separate us from God.
(14)--How can you afford to take chances? Especially in these uncertain
days when Atomic Destruction may be the earth's sad lot, or else the
Lord may come any day?
God's humble people do not have to be hounded to be make to live Holy.
They are glad to be obedient to his word.
QUESTION OFTEN ASKED:
1.--What about my little girl? Should I cut her hair.
ANSWER: Little girls soon grow up to be young women. The training and
discipline that you give you child now will determine what kind of woman
she will be whether she will grow up to be a Christian, or a modern
twentieth century creature doomed to despair. You are the mother; that
character will be molded by you. Your example and teaching will
determine in a great measure the outcome of your child's life. Mother,
you will be responsible before God. For the Child's sake, her future and
eternal welfare, don't cut her hair.
2.--Does God have a double standard? One for the young and one for the
Old?
ANSWER:--Surely no one should have to ask such a question. Common sense
teaches us, along with the Holy Scriptures, that God's standard is the
same to all, young and old, rich and poor. Don't let the Devil deceive
you into believing that just because you are young that God has or will
judge you by a different standard. Only a slight knowledge of the word
of God teaches us the foolishness of such a contention.
3.--How shall I fix my hair?
ANSWER: The Bible does not give specific instructions on how to fix or
do up your hair. It does tell you not to cut your hair. My answer would
be that a woman's hair looks a lot better done up. And if allowed to
grow to its full length, it will have to be done up. Let your hair-do be
decent, sensible, modest and in keeping with a sincere Christian
professing Holiness.
4--Is it wrong to thin my hair?
ANSWER: Long hair is hair that has never been touched by any cutting
instrument, at least it should not have been touched by any instrument
since the day that you surrendered to God. What is the difference
between cutting or thinning or shaving or shearing or burning or
breaking or whatever methods one may use to keep their hair short? You
are cutting your hair, are you not? Why seek a loophole in God's word?
Why seek to evade the responsibility of the scriptures? Why invite
trouble? Why live so near the edge? Make a full consecration and God
will Bless you for it.
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