Historical Christian Headcoverings

Sister Judith Hannah brings us a collection of Christian writers' thoughts on head covering for Christian women, who lived and wrote within the first centuries after the days of Jesus Christ on earth. Each seems to take the scriptures and tradition of Christian women veiling as a literal act of covering the head, regardless of local culture.

Please find the time to read: "HEAD COVERINGS... the Historical Record"

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Personal Opinion Time:

To many, reading these words of the old teachers, the subject may come across as one of legalism where nothing has been specifically commanded, one of opinion therefore, and because following this command is of works, and not "unto salvation". Please, stop for a moment, and consider the words of Jesus himself, as recorded in the first four books of the New Testament. If the greatest command is to love the LORD God with all our heart, soul and mind, then one will show that love, just as a light on a hill that stands out for all to see - and for all to see something, something has to be... done. That is obedience. Not someone trying to save themselves. The second great command is taught that we are to love others as we love ourselves. That is an act of respect and consideration, not thinking of ourselves and acting for ourselves, but for others - whether respect for men, to show them that we understand the heavy responsibility of their position and we are here to hold them up, (or, also, respect for a man's ability to be distracted as we "flaunt" our hair, which is our glory, or our bodies, or etc.); or respect for other women, to point out to them some things to consider in their own lives which may help them to grow in their love towards their husbands, their children and their LORD God.

The simple act of covering a woman's head seems so trivial, if only taken as an act to be done, because "somebody made me" for example. It is much more than just one thing on a list of things that a woman does to be pleasing to God and man(kind). It is obedience done out of love, respect, trust, and faith. If I told my husband (or my best friend, or my father) that I loved him, but never showed him by my actions that I cared about the things which were important to him, never listened when he explained something to me that he really did have more knowledge or experience in, never thought twice about him as I spent all my time with other people and in trying to please them more than I want to please him, never respected his authority when it came time to make decisions or wise choices where it seemed that it "just didn't matter" to me - I would not really be loving.

When you pull those headcoverings on today, Sisters, please remember who you are really doing it for, first of all. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up. Become as little children, who do not turn to a loving parent and say, "I don't have to!" But who love and obey and trust. And whose Father is happy to call them to him, and lift them up.

~ LM