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It is said that a
picture is worth a thousand words.
Photos of adherents of
Oregon City's Followers of Christ Church have frequent found their way into
newspapers and programs. Selling stories is much easier with grabbing photos of
mug shots or court proceedings. Both sides of the court system know that juries
are often swayed along with the public by first impressions. A defense attorney
asks his client to look the part of a normal every day upbeat true blood
American and the other side leaks and introduces to the court and press the
most vilifying photos. The photos themselves depict whether a person is happy
or stressed, normal or peculiar, and we begin our evaluation of that person
with these impressions.
I belong to a related
church with some differences. And when we see these pictures there is one that
leaps out to us. We don't focus on facial expressions or even much on the
dress. We see the hair. I know my first reaction at seeing some of the
women on trial was, "How do they pray?"
What does hair have to
do with prayer? Let me explain.
In a nutshell we are faith healing sects and rely on prayer for our healing,
for many of us, it is the only recourse. Any hindrance to our prayer could have
serious repercussions. If we have sin in our lives we have to root it out and
confess it. We also have to show ourselves to be subject to the orders God
established.
In I Corinthians 11
Apostle Paul begins with, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of
Christ," It is a plea to some brethren then, and to us today to hear him
out and keep what he says. He continues, "I praise you for
remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed
them on to you."
His
subject is the significance of the head's covering and how it
indicates an order with God. "But I want you to realize that the head
of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of
Christ is God." Then comes Paul's
statement. "EVERY man who prays or prophesies with his head covered
dishonors his head. But EVERY woman who prays or prophesies with her
head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head
shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have
her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off
or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. A man ought not to
cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory
of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was
man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman
ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man
independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of
woman. But everything comes from God."
He reiterates and presents another argument so as to press his point home,
introducing the importance of having a proper relationship with
God. "Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray
to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things
teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that
if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a
covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other
practice—nor do the churches of God." NO OTHER PRACTICE...possibly the
Followers Church has overlooked this?
I am not exactly sure how the Followers Church escaped this teaching, but have
an idea. I do know that this doctrine has been a historical bone of contention
among many assemblies, and some have put it aside as if it was an old
coat. Long ago beginning with Charlie Smith women were forbidden to openly pray
in the church. If they are not to pray publicly then their public covering
becomes a moot point. I have heard it said by many men that they preferred
their wives to have shorter hair, for many women it is easier to maintain. The
argument then runs that they are being subject to their husband's will and
therefore in God's order! Hold on a minute, since when were men able to change
God's order? How did man usurp a woman's obligation to pray? How are we – men
or women – to be heard when we have not submitted ourselves to God? How are we
to rely on healing by prayer when we are dishonored by what is or is not upon our
head, or our spouse's?
I would like to see some responses to these questions, perhaps a deeper
discussion is in order.
Darren
