Hair Trouble!

[manuni]

Dear brothers and sisters in christ,
By grace I was made a child of the Almighty and by grace I still stand. Though I had a series of backsliding experiences, the Lord was merciful towards me and never let me go.

I am writing this in regard to a very special reason. I always loved long hair and decided to grow my hair some time back. But my church members are finding it very much irritating and they are after my life! Though I neglected there pressures and moved forward with my decision to grow hair, one verse which I revisited last day troubles me much. It is 1Cori 11:14 where growing hair by a man is mentioned as a disgrace.

I am confused abt the whole issue. I don’t find any logical reason why growing hair is in any way interfering with spiritual affairs. But then again why is it explicitly mentioned in the scriptures like that. Is there any further meaning to the verse than just the peripheral one and is the translation of the verse accurate?

I hope I will get help from mature and more experienced brothers and sisters in this forum. Please pour in your views. Is it right or wrong for a man to grow hair?

Thanking you,
Yours in Christ,
Manu Mathew Thomas
Manuthomas007@yahoo.com

 

[chrismon]

Its not a problem.

Paul's hope is that the Church would be impeccable in character, so that the enemies of God could never accuse his people under man's law or God's. At times, long hair, or earrings, or foods, or behaviors have meant various things to various peoples. If such things are not necessary, why bring any condemnation, well founded or even contrived, upon the Church? You do not have to have long hair, or such a food, or such clothing, so if it causes a problem then do not do it. Freedom in Christ does not mean we ignore our calling to not just be impeccable but also to appear impeccable.


People who tell you that in no uncertain terms long hair is "bad" are the same people to whom Jesus told, "the Sabbath was made for man". If the Law becomes an end unto itself, what God seeks to produce in us will never be gained.

 

[intricatic]

Personally, I've always felt that appearances do not matter. Afterall, Jesus glorified the poor and the destitute, I'm sure they all weren't well trimmed people with nice clothes.

 

[HumbleMan]

I was saved and baptized with a 13 inch ponytail. My church didn't think much about it. My new church (an SBC) has a youth pastor that has shoulder length hair.

IMHO, I think Paul was getting more into the issue of the distinction of appearances between men and women.

I don't know, because I ain't that old, but I wouldn't be suprised if there were male prostitutes who were "effeminate", and he was commanding believers to not be confused with them. I'm probably blowing smoke on this one, but it's my theory and I'm sticking to it

 

[Celticflower]

As long as yoou keep it clean and neat I see no problem with long hair.

 

[Stinker]

The long hair on men that Paul was referring to in 1Cor.11 is not applicable for us today. The men in that part of the world back then who worked the pagan temples such as those of Aphrodite, wore their hair 'long' for a man, by Corinthian standards, because they were male prostitutes in those temples. They would 'service' the men who came to those temples to worship their pagan godesses.

So if these men with long hair (by Corinthian standards) became Christians and still wore their hair like that, it would bring great shame to the church. Likewise the former Aphrodite worshipping women with their 'shorn' head, and former Adonis worshipper (shaved) head.

 

[manuni]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the responses. i am still confused though!
I understand that Paul said those things in connection with the social sysem prevailed at that time.
But still, can we just ignore some comments or verses from the Holy Bible saying that it no longer apply to our times? Won't that be against the Scripture itself, as Jesus himself says that not even a dot from the scripture will ever run out of time!.
Isn't the Bible meant for all times?
Would love to hear your views.
...regards
...manu

 

[chrismon]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the responses. i am still confused though!
I understand that Paul said those things in connection with the social sysem prevailed at that time.
But still, can we just ignore some comments or verses from the Holy Bible saying that it no longer apply to our times? Won't that be against the Scripture itself, as Jesus himself says that not even a dot from the scripture will ever run out of time!.
Isn't the Bible meant for all times?
Would love to hear your views.
...regards
...manu

The moral issue here, or that is, the morality of this issue, is not appearance, but identity.

Yes, Paul is talking about hair, but his purpose is to call us to be critical in regards to whom we identify ourselves with. What he says is certainly still mean for us. Would you dress like a gang member? Why not? Because it identifies you with something, especially being a Christian, that you are not. Holiness is not some state of being a goody-two-shoes. Holiness is the practice of not being like the world, of not being like those who are against the kingdom of God. If long hair is something that identifies you with those who do not find their hope in God, then cut it. If not, then your concern it about is nothing more than empty rule keeping and not about the holiness that God desires to grow in our lives.

 

[jak]

Yes, the Bible is meant for all times, but we are not supposed to directly copy every custom and tradition we see in it, from 2000 BC to the 1st century AD.

Otherwise we would have to ride camels, not bikes, because thats what Abraham and Isaac and rebekah rode! We would have to wear cloaks without seams because thats what Jesus wore. We would have to bury our dead in rock tombs, with huge stones rolled over the door....!

What lasts beyond the cultural context is the biblical principle...and where long hair is concerned, we would need to remember that God does not care for external apeparances, rather he looks at the heart, so it makes no difference to him if you cut your hair or grow it. or go totally bald!! But then, God also says that in minor issues, we can give in to others, because we love them and don't wish to offend them. (Rom 14), specially parents who we are to "honour"...give recognition, approval, respect... The Corinthian passage is actually rather a tough one, and is probably talking about a local problem they had over women and head coverings.

So there is no "right " or "wrong" here; but you could do whatever will lead, not only to your happiness, but will also retain the goodwill of your folks and other close people.

 

[serephiale]

In Samuel 16:7, God clearly states that men look on the outside, but He looks at the heart. That being said, we are not to be of this world, but we are to live in it. I think the people that Paul was writing this letter to had taken things a bit too far and were no longer "living in the world", and that part of the strife he mentions later was caused by forsaking certain key societal gender roles. I think there's a line between being a stumbling block for a brother and the brother simply being judgemental and just needing to get the beam out of his eye or maybe being a little oversensitive. Our society has loosened up on gender roles and such things. Back then, a man keeping his hair long was probably like being a flagrant drag queen or something nowadays. So, no, I don't think it's "wrong" for a man to grow long hair. Although, my frank opinion would be that it's a few verses out of thousands upon thousands in the Bible, is not even the key issue of the passage it's included in, and that it's really making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[bliz]

Part of pagan celebrations in NT times involved drunken reveleries. Part of the "fun" was for men and women to dress up as the opposit sex and lure unsuspecting people into sexual activity with them. Men posing as women and women posing as men. This is what Paul is talking about. He is not talking about hair length or waeing jeans, or robes for that matter.

However, if your hair length a major issue at your church, perhaps it is time that you find another group of Christians that majors in the majors insted of majoring in the minors.

 

[cavymom]

If they give you a hard time about your long hair you could always read them this passage about Samson...

Judges 13-5for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines."

 

[manuni]

Hi,
Thanks again to all. I am so happy to read all those matured views abt the matter.
Hope to get more reviews abt the same
...regards
...manu

 

[tulc]

I think it gets down to making a decision: Is your hair what's important or are you called to be at the Church you attend? If you feel called to be there and your hair is stumbling them what would be the loving thing to do? You have the freedom to grow your hair as long as you want and you also have the freedom to be a loving member of your Church. Your choice.
tulc(who actually has his head shaved except for 8 waist length dreadlocks on the back of his head, so I guess my front is saved and my back isn't!)

 

[HumbleMan]

Wow, RastaTulc, I never woulda thunk it

tulc(who actually has his head shaved except for 8 waist length dreadlocks on the back of his head, so I guess my front is saved and my back isn't!)

Always kinda pegged you as a coffeehouse junkie wearing button downs and knitted vests. Guess it never pays to assume, huh?

 

[manuni]

Hi,
One again thanx for all the comments posted. i now realise that almost all had the my similar view points. it was because i was so convinced that growing hair; or in that case, any physical expressions had nothing to do with internal spiritual matters that i was continuing with my decissions. but that particular verse keeps bouncing to me again and again! 1Cor 11:14
If we are going to assume that what Paul meant was something so different rether that the external behaviour, won't the same be applicable to almost every practice we continue till now. for example, those related with women being silent in the church, woman wearing veil, holy mass, etc,etc. which ever such external expressions were installed specifically for a group of people and very much based upon their then preveiling culture(like women should wear veil). So how are we gonna account for all those?!
...regards
...manu

 

[tulc]

If we are going to assume that what Paul meant was something so different rether that the external behaviour, won't the same be applicable to almost every practice we continue till now. for example, those related with women being silent in the church, woman wearing veil, holy mass, etc,etc. which ever such external expressions were installed specifically for a group of people and very much based upon their then preveiling culture(like women should wear veil). So how are we gonna account for all those?!

I'm sorry I don't understand what you're asking here, could you explain a little more?
tulc(would like to help if he can)

 

[jak]

You've got it. There's absolutely no call to insist on women wearing veils, or growing their hair, or keeping silent in churches. All those things were situational and cultural in the context of Corinth and its foolish to insist on them today.

 

[tulc]

If we are going to assume that what Paul meant was something so different rether that the external behaviour, won't the same be applicable to almost every practice we continue till now. for example, those related with women being silent in the church, woman wearing veil, holy mass, etc,etc. which ever such external expressions were installed specifically for a group of people and very much based upon their then preveiling culture(like women should wear veil). So how are we gonna account for all those?! (bold added)

You've got it. There's absolutely no call to insist on women wearing veils, or growing their hair, or keeping silent in churches. All those things were situational and cultural in the context of Corinth and its foolish to insist on them today

I got that part it was the "holy mass" part I was confused about.
tulc(not looking for a fight, just sort of curious)

 

[intricatic]

I'm perplexed as well.