Q&A: When Should a Woman Wear a Headcovering?

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="129a11c3.png"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Heart4God Website!"><U><B><IMG SRC="4b55a500.png" border=0 width="90" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin"><U><B>Writings by Date</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id212.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin Organized "><U><B>Writings by Topic</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm"><U><B>Audio Files</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id690.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Videos"><U><B>Videos</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writings of Others"><U><B>Other Authors</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Questions and Answers"><U><B>Q&A</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Heart4God Email List"><U><B>Heart4God E-mail List</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com"><U><B>Parables Blog</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id306.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="File Downloads"><U><B><IMG SRC="2b264140.png" border=0 width="100" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B>Q&A: When Should a Woman Wear a Headcovering?</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="c2827160.png" border=0 width="807" height="22" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Dear Mr. Herrin,</div> <bR> <div> I have been perusing the articles on your website, and have been reading your books. They are wonderful writings, and have been studying those issues that you have raised.</div> <bR> <div> The first time I read about headcoverings in your book referencing the daughters of Sarah, I was...angry. Yes angry. Some of it had to do with the material, but alot of it was my own sense of lack of self worth to God as a woman. That has nothing to do with the issues that you raised in your book, but I cannot help but feel that in large part, women feel second best when the Scriptures are examined on the surface. Today I am still trying to find my place as a daughter of God. There is much that speaks about being a son of God, but very very little about being a woman in the church epistles. Except about being silent, and dressing modestly, it seems that nothing written was for women.</div> <bR> <div> Not all of us are married. Many are single by choice, some are widows, some are divorced, either by their choice or not.</div> <bR> <div> Women living at home have their fathers for their head. Married women have their husbands for their head. Who is the head of widows and of the divorced? Am I supposed to wear a headcovering or not? And if so...I must confess, I have no idea what kind. I have never seen headcoverings worn appropriately. I do not have any kind of an example before me of how to wear or not wear one correctly. Is it how the Muslim women wear scarves in public? Or like hats that you used to see 60 yrs ago worn? Do you wear one in the house when doing housework? Or just out in public? What is correct?? I am very honestly asking these questions, for I have nobody else TO ask. I am willing to wear one, but no idea if I should, or how to. Its pretty humiliating to admit this.</div> <bR> <div> Dear L.,</div> <bR> <div> Thank you for writing and asking your excellent questions and for your very encouraging words. It is evident in your words that you are very desirous of being found obedient unto God and of hearing Him say to you, "Well done My precious daughter. Enter into the joy of Your Lord." Our Heavenly Father looks upon our hearts, and our thoughts and intents are known unto Him. He knows that you are seeking to be pleasing unto Him in your actions and attitudes.</div> <bR> <div> You have raised a number of issues and I will try to address them as I am able. I will take what I believe is the easiest one to answer first, and that is the one about what type of headcovering should be worn, and when it should be worn. I haven't written anything about what type of covering a woman should wear, and this is intentional. The Scriptures do not tell us. Paul merely instructs women to wear one, but he doesn't describe what is acceptable and unacceptable veiling. The only description we have is that it covers the head of the woman. </div> <bR> <div> Some make a large issue about how much hair should be covered (all, most, or some), and some make issues out of the style of covering, but I think once again that the thing the Father considers the most is the heart of a woman. If she has a desire to be found pleasing to the Father in this area then I believe the Spirit will give her the guidance she yearns for. I don't believe that the Spirit will mandate that all women must wear identical coverings, nor that He would have them get out a measuring tape to see if they have met some divine standard.</div> <bR> <div> I have never told my wife or daughter what type of covering they should wear, and I am very content with the coverings they have chosen. I know their desire is to be found pleasing to God and that they are doing something that is an act of obedience and that causes them to stand out in society. I am pleased with the obedient heart I see in them in this matter, and I am sure that if you also have the same heart that the covering you select as best for you will be acceptable in your Heavenly Father's sight. </div> <bR> <div> I believe we should be patient with one another in such matters, and demonstrate much grace with each other. Each person is unique and has unique issues in their lives. One person thinks nothing of wearing a full covering in public, while another might be dealing with fears of the opinions of man. We should encourage those who are fearful to stand firm in their faith, but I don't see it as being necessary to mandate that certain physical requirements (measurements, style, percent of hair covered, etc.) must be met to make a headcovering a legitimate Biblical veiling. I will give you a couple of links to some websites where various coverings are shown, and sold, and perhaps the Spirit will give you some leading as you look at them. Here they are:</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.wendysmodestdress.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wendysmodestdress.com/"><U><U>http://www.wendysmodestdress.com/</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.tznius.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tznius.com"><U><U>http://www.tznius.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> As to when a covering should be worn, there is some ambiguity in the Scriptures regarding this. What we are told specifically is that if a woman prays or prophesies with her head uncovered that she dishonors her head. Again, I have not tried to give guidelines in this matter, and my own wife and daughter resolved on their own that they would wear the covering all the time while they are awake. Since we are told to "pray without ceasing", and we are to "be ready always to give an answer to those who ask us of the hope that is in us", it seems reasonable that we should be in a state of readiness for praying or prophesying during the entire day. Also, since headcovering is a sign to the angels we could consider whether we want to give a continual sign to the angels of our contentment with Yahweh's governmental order, or whether we want to give this sign only during organized gatherings when praying or prophesying. </div> <bR> <div> I cannot prove it from Scripture, but my own feeling on this matter is that the apostles' teaching on this, and the practice of the early church, was for the women to wear the covering all day long. We also have certain records of the early church women wearing the veiling, and pictures of them can still be seen today painted on the walls of the Roman catacombs. You can view some of these pictures here: </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://truthinheart.com/EarlyOberlinCD/CD/Doctrine/BeVeiled.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://truthinheart.com/EarlyOberlinCD/C"><U><U>http://truthinheart.com/EarlyOberlinCD/CD/Doctrine/BeVeiled.htm</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> But these issues are merely external and they are reflections of what is in one's heart. Yahweh is much more concerned with the heart and He knows whether a woman in her heart has a quiet and gentle spirit, being submissive and respectful to those whom He has set over her. There are always those who conform outwardly, but who have no inward conformity to the will of the Father. It is like the young boy that was told to sit in the corner who stated, "I may be sitting down on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside." A woman can adorn herself with modesty and wear a complete covering all day long, and yet be as the Pharisees who were beautiful on the outside, while inwardly they were full of dead men's bones. </div> <bR> <div> I believe it is also possible for the opposite to occur. A woman may have never been taught about Christian veiling, but have demonstrated a godly and submissive spirit. She will be rewarded according to her faithfulness in what she knew to do. The ideal, however, is to have a harmony between the inward attitude and the outward expression, and it is always a great joy to encounter one who walks in such a harmony. </div> <bR> <div> Let me go on to another matter that you raised, that of feeling like women are second class citizens. I can truly understand your thoughts on this matter, and this is a thought that Satan uses as a weapon against women who are desirous of walking in obedience. Satan looked at his own wisdom, glory and power and he felt that he was being wrongly subjugated in the governmental order of God. He thought that it was right that he should ascend to a higher position, and to even take his place alongside the throne of God. We can understand very well that Satan has desired for men and women to join him in his thoughts of usurpation and rebellion. Yet in Satan's thinking, he is not a usurper. He feels that he is justified to ascend to a higher place, and he also wants men and women to view things the same way. </div> <bR> <div> Satan wants men to feel that it is correct and proper for them to be their own head, to do their own thing and be led of their own will and intellect and desires. He wants men to view submssion to Christ, as a servant submits to their Lord, as being unreasonable and demeaning. After all, men have perfectly good minds and they are quite capable of determining their own ways and choosing good and evil for themselves. He also leads women to think it unreasonable to have man as head, but it is this very reasoning, which has its source in a place other than the mind of Christ, that we must throw down. We are instructed to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." </div> <bR> <div> Without a doubt, it seems unreasonable for a woman to subject herself to man, and it seems equally unreasonable for men to subject themselves to Christ. Yet Christ showed us the way when He emptied Himself of His glory and He took upon Himself the form of a bondservant. He became obedient unto death and the Lord of glory even washed the feet of His disciples, leaving us all an example of what a life of humility is all about. If Yahshua could so humble Himself, then men should find it no more difficult to submit themselves to the headship of Christ, and women should find it no more difficult to submit to the headship of man. </div> <bR> <div> Yet we know it is difficult, for it requires a crucifixion of our flesh and of our natural soulish life. This is why so few today actually walk in obedience. The disciple's cross has been removed from Christianity and we have turned things on their head where many saints today perceive God as someone who exists to meet their needs and fulfill their lusts. Submission, humility, and a crucified life are concepts that are unwelcome in churches today, and which would elicit a quick and severe negative reaction from the saints if they were taught aright. But the tragedy of this is that there are precious few who will ever know conformity to the image of Christ. Few will ever come to the place of drinking from the cup of suffering set before them and saying, "Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done." </div> <bR> <div> In truth, the difficulties that a godly woman faces are little different from that of a man who aspires to godliness. Yahweh is calling all His chosen and elect ones to a crucified life in order that the life of Christ might be released in and through us. I wrote the book "SABBATH" before I wrote the book "Sarah's Children". The book "SABBATH" declares to men that they must come to an end of personal initiative. They cannot live for self. They must give their life totally for another. It is but a mere remnant of men who ever choose to lay down their life in this way, and the same is true of women. The overcomers are a small minority of the body of Christ. </div> <bR> <div> Have you ever wondered why there is so much cancer in our society, and there is equally as much among the church as outside the church? Cancer is the result of a body's cells having been hijacked from doing that which they were designed to do and they have begun doing something else. This failure to do what they were created for leads to death and destruction in the body. God is just allowing to be mirrored in the bodies of men and women what is happening in spiritual realms. There are few who are actually doing that which they were created to do. There are very few who are being led of the Spirit in all things and who are seeking to always do the will of Christ. Consequently the body of Christ is being destroyed by this spiritual cancer of independence. </div> <bR> <div> The remedy, of course, is for the cells to return to doing what they were created to do. We are seeing right now an awakening of a remnant as they are returning to obedience and a Spirit led life. Yet I cannot see the entire body being restored at this time. Instead, God is calling forth a remnant to "come out of her, My people, lest you participate in her sins and partake of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4). What I have actually found is that as people such as yourself give yourself over to obedience to the leading of the Spirit, that a carnal church will reject you. You will be criticized, and then ostracized due to your obedience. Thus the sick body rejects the very thing that could bring healing, the healthy cells that are doing the will of the Father. </div> <bR> <div> There really is very much that you, as a godly woman, can do. You have been given the Spirit in the same way as any other. You can be Spirit led and you have the same opportunity for fellowship and intimacy with your Savior. It is merely in some external activities that women are limited. They are not allowed to teach men, or to be placed in a position of authority over men. Yet they can pray, they can prophesy, they can encourage, edify, exhort, assist, teach women and children, and a host of other things that are in keeping with godliness. </div> <bR> <div> Neither do the Scriptures say that you must be married to be fulfilled or obedient. I know that Paul speaks to Timothy and that he advises widows to remarry, but he is addressing a problem of certain widows who were becoming busybodies and gossips and who were being a drain on the church since they had no means of supporting themselves. But where these problems are not an issue, Paul gives much different advice. </div> <bR> <div> I Corinthians 7:32-35<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Georgia" > </FONT></div> <div> But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.</div> <bR> <div> Some men and women have a gift of contentment in not needing a spouse, and for such a one Paul advises that he believes they are better off to remain single and devoted to the Lord. Yet if such a one decides to marry, they are not doing wrong, as long as they marry in the Lord. </div> <bR> <div> Things become a bit more difficult when you have children that you are raising on your own. God designed a family to have both father and mother, and all the better when both are godly and seeking to train up the children in the ways of God. The children have many more struggles and heartaches when a complete family unit is not present. Yet God, in His grace, can overcome every obstacle and difficulty when you keep looking to Him. </div> <bR> <div> You asked who is your head since you have no husband and you are not living at home with your father. There are many diverse opinions about this. Some would say that your pastor should be your head. Others would say that another male family member should be. I honestly don't know the answer to this question, and there may not be a 'one size fits all' answer to this question. I believe, however, that if your heart is truly set on obedience to Yahweh in all things that His Spirit will reveal to you whom you should honor and respect in the various issues and decisions of your life. </div> <bR> <div> In truth, none of us ever get away from matters of authority and submission. Although you have no husband, you have stated that you work full-time outside of the home. Unless you are self-employed, then you have those at work who are to be honored. Among the family of God you have those who are to be honored. Among your natural family you have those who are to be honored. In civil government you have those who are to be honored. We all have such relationships and we should always be discerning where God has delegated His authority that we might show proper respect to it. </div> <bR> <div> In the end, whether we are male or female, we are all to be led of the Spirit of God. In instances where a woman has a husband, the Spirit has instructed the wife to honor her husband, and to even be as Sarah who called Abraham 'lord'. A woman who is doing this is being led of the Spirit even though it appears that she is obeying man, for it is the Spirit who has told her to submit. It would be a rarity indeed to find a woman who has a truly submissive heart who did not arrive at this place by the work and leading of God's Spirit. Such a heart is not normal, and in our society it is certainly not encouraged. Only a work of God could explain its presence. </div> <bR> <div> I don't know if I have answered your questions to your satisfaction, but I trust that something shared will be helpful to you. I believe your heart is pure in this and that you want to be found pleasing to God. If you have further questions or comments I would be glad to hear from you. </div> <bR> <div> May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days, </div> <bR> <div> Joseph Herrin</div> <bR> <div> E-mail: </div> <div> website: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Georgia" ><A HREF="http://heart4god.ws" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://heart4god.ws"><U><U>http://heart4god.ws</U></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>