Christian Woman and head covering

Head Covering - Ok?

Are women biblically required to posses Head coverings when attending a worship service?

The main Scripture to be cited regarding the issue of head coverings is: 1 Corinthians 11:3-10

From this passage, we can conclude:

1. That men are to pray with their heads uncovered.

2. That women are to pray with their heads covered.

The question is, then, what is this covering?

This is cleared up later in the same chapter: 1 Corinthians 11:14-16

Obviously, the conclusion is that men are to pray / prophesy with short hair while women pray / prophesy with hair becoming a woman. This is consistent with the remainder of New Testament teachings on how men are to look and dress like men and women are to look and dress like women.

Legalism can creep in on this subject very easily, and in 2 major ways:

1. By forcing women to wear an artificial head covering at all times during worship services, which the text, even it's most conservative interpretation, does not infer. It is only given in a context of when women are praying / prophesying, and thus cannot be stretched through the entire worship service, especially in congregations which restrict women to silence.

2. By insisting on a definition of how short is short or how long is long.

Ultimately, these fine details should be resolved on a personal basis, not legislated by an agenda that is legalistic in nature. Consider: 1 Corinthians 11:12-13

Paul is encouraging us to judge for ourselves on this matter. And, the teaching remains: long hair has been given to woman as a head covering, not lace, cotton, or silk.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger