In the 70s when I was in junior high, the cool guys wore long hair down to our shoulders, sometimes parted in the middle and feathered. Thank goodness those days are gone and my wife persuaded me to part on the side! My kids have always preferred to wear their hair short (too short in my opinion). Does God care about hair styles and wearing hats in church? Maybe a little less that we think. What God does care about is creative order, male-female relationships and distinctions, and unity. In my humble opinion having lived through the evolution of modern and radical feminism, the church should be careful about receiving all it professes. I am grateful both men and women have the opportunity to excel and explore nearly every aspect of human existence without limitations applied because of gender. But, part of feminism has fostered anti-male sentiment (a woman needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle), undermined positive traditional roles, and created a whole group of unhappy women, and socially engineered outcomes rather than true equality. The apostle Paul told the Corinthian church about a better way that respects traditions but makes no rule about hair, hats, and their relationship to heaven.
However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originated from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does even nature itself not teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her as a covering. But if anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor have the churches of God. 1 Corinthians 11:11-16 NASB
How do I feel about traditions and rules of fellowship? Am I one that advocates for God’s creative order and the unity of the church while championing each person, male and female fulfilling their ministry?
God, as this day begins- thank you for another day to reach out and love people in Your name. Help me discern what really matters in this quickly changing culture of our day. May I keep Christ front and center and the sharing of the gospel first and foremost. Please guard me from swerving away from Your creative order. May I easily answer the question so many can’t “what is a woman?” I am certainly grateful that “male and female” You have created. Hallelujah- for the wife I have.
