Hats and Skirts - Are They Necessary?

headcoveringHa ha…I can just see this one catching fire, as thoughts and opinions begin to roll!

Last Friday, I asked for your thoughts on the topic of Halloween, and how it relates to the Christian. I asked this because, I had to address the issue with the youth on the Saturday evening. However, many of the thoughts came after Saturday.

As part of our ‘Faith on Friday’ idea, today I thought I’d better bring up the topic I’ll be addressing on Saturday 17th, for meditation, learning, and discussion.

As always, I randomly pulled out a question from the ‘Youth Question Box’, and it read,

“Why do the women wear hats and skirts?”

It had to come…

Now don’t get too excited. I have no plans to begin to deal with this here, nor do I want anyone to make any assumption upon my own position on this, just because the question has been asked. What I will do, is give you a few questions to tackle…

Does 1 Corinthians 11 necessitate a hat (more accurately termed ‘head covering’) for women?

If so, is it just in public worship, times of prayer, or all the time?

If it does not necessitate a head covering, what is the passage teaching?

Does Deuteronomy 22:5 necessitate a woman to wear a skirt?

If so, does 1 Tim 2:9 give any practical restrictions to the style of the skirt?

If not, how would you advise someone to adhere to 1 Tim 2:9?

Are either of these issues subject to cultural differences?

Share your thoughts…

These questions are just a guideline in order to provoke thought. You can address other issues you feel are relevant.

Don’t take this lightly. This is an important topic, and one I’d like us all to share our thoughts and opinions upon, in a godly, and patient manner. Maybe your position has evolved? Maybe you’ve never thought about it? Share it.

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Added Commentary

  • #1 of 13
    By Jermayn Parker
    on 09.11.07

    OK looks like im first :D (rubbing hands)

    In the reference to a hat that must be worn, If you study the meaning of that, its talking about ‘covering’ which you mentioned which refers to that the women must be ‘covered’ to talk/ teach etc. This is not in reference to clothes but rather covering of a husband/ pastor etc.

    I do not know anything about the skirt, so will be intrigued by that :D

    However due to people taking bible out of context. This has made many girls/ ladies forced to wear a skirt and hat at church.

    btw Armen, hope you do not mind me bring a nosy Parker (yes last name is Parker) but what church you go to?

  • #2 of 13
    By Brian Purkiss
    on 09.11.07

    Oy…
    that’s a crazy topic…
    I’m sorry - but I’m not going to go there.
    sorry.

  • Author #3 of 13
    By Armen
    on 09.11.07

    Jermayn - Interesting thoughts. In fact, I’m not so sure I’ve ever heard of the Pastor being the covering? I know some believe it’s the husband though.

    This is great. The reason I am raising this issue on here is to get different perspectives, and to hopefully learn from each other.

    I am a member of the FPC of Ulster.

    Brian - This isn’t supposed to be offensive, or upsetting Brian. I’d actually love to know your honest thoughts on it (if you have any).

    As I’ve indicated, I don’t choose the topics. Questions are anonymously placed in a box by the youth, and I pick a question out each fortnight (without looking).

  • #4 of 13
    By Jermayn Parker
    on 09.11.07

    Well not every women has a husband! I believe the covering is so that the husband/ pastor etc can speak into her life and also protect/ council her.

    @ Armen, sorry for being ignorant but whats the FPC of Ulster??

    @ Brian, yeah I would not also mind hearing your views :D

  • Author #5 of 13
    By Armen
    on 09.11.07

    Jermayn - Yeah, ok. I get you now.

    Probably just best to check out the main site - FPC

  • #6 of 13
    By Rob O.
    on 09.11.07

    It’d be interesting to know what the underlying Hebrew version of those scriptures indicates. Very often, the translation can be too literal and end up mangling the meaning…

  • #7 of 13
    By Taleen
    on 10.11.07

    Hmmmmmmm………

  • Author #8 of 13
    By Armen
    on 10.11.07

    Rob - Good to see you here :)

    You make a valid point. Sometimes, the true message is lost a little in translation. However, opposite to what you say is true too, at times it’s not literal enough.

    Taleen Hey stranger! Thanks for really contributing to the conversation ;)

  • #9 of 13
    By michelle
    on 05.12.07

    why do people wear skirts?

  • #10 of 13
    By David.M
    on 26.02.08

    I’ve recently listened to a sermon by Rev John Greer on the ‘Head Covering’ for any who will still be reading this post. You can get it on sermonaudio.com…..is that some kind of advertising or am I allowed to do that?! lol

    In regard to the translation of I Cor 11 there are very convincing arguements FOR the headcovering and if this be true then it does become very neccessary in regards to worship!

  • #11 of 13
    By Anne
    on 02.06.09

    I am very confused re this head covering buisness. I am c of Scot and my husband of 30 odd years is Brethern. Personally I can see nothing wrong with wearing trousers to church and I think the head covering thing is nonsense. It would appear to apply to women in Greece who were prostitutes and had shaven heads. Therefore unless women are bald, what is the problem.?? In thesame vein vein should men not wear kilts, as they wore robes, and not trousers, when Paul was on the go??

  • #12 of 13
    By Karen
    on 26.07.09

    Wearing the headcovering is for today, I have been Covering for 21 Years now, I am a Christain. I see it is for every woman, not just Some Women, But all women. It is a choice to who ever obeys the word, I will be glad to studying the word with you, Just email me
    studyingtheword77@gmail.com

  • Author #13 of 13
    By Armen
    on 26.07.09

    Anne,
    If it applies only to women with shaven heads, then why does the passage indicate that the woman’s glory (her hair) is to be covered?

    A proper reading will show that it isn’t the hair that’s the covering, but it’s the hair which needs covered.

    Karen,
    Thanks for your contribution.

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