This morning's weather--at least in Northern Virginia--seemed, coincidentally, to display an intelligence and savvy concerning the mood of its people--fifty degrees fahrenheit, rainy, grey, and still. Victor Hugo wrote well of this unsettling phenomenon: "Nature sometimes mingles her effects and spectacles with our actions with somber and intelligent appropriateness, as though she desired to make us reflect." And the…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 9
I'd like to outline Paul's four main arguments that he gives in support of the principle of headship, and the practice of head covering which corresponds to it. We will go into greater depth with each argument in posts to come. So here are Paul's (and let us remember--divinely inspired) reasons, listed in the order that he…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 8
Happy November! As much as I have been enjoying the extended period of spring-like weather, I welcome this time of year--now that we are in November my mind begins to look eagerly forward to the holidays! I know this excitement isn't shared by everyone, and I am thankful that by God's providence I have a store…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 7
"But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." Now let's take a closer look at the above verse, which is the principle at the core of Paul's instruction to the Corinthians in this passage. As…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 6
"But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." Because the authority view of headship (rather than the origin/source view) makes better sense of the passage, and because it fits better with other scriptural injunctions made…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 5
"But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." There are two opinions about Paul's use of the word head in this passage. The Greek word is κεφαλὴ (transliterated: kephalē). One view understands the word to…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 4
"But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." To pick up where we left off in our last post, it seems from Paul's address to them that the Corinthians had done commendably well in…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 3
So let's begin where we should--with the text itself. "I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you." Paul begins this section in a way that is unusual within the context of his first letter to the Corinthian church--in praise of them!…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 2
Here is what initially I accepted as the explanation for why we don't practice what seems (upon a cursory, face-value reading) to be a specific command from Paul to the church. The command, basically, that Paul seems to give to the church in Corinth (and that he extends to "all the churches of God") is…
On Covering the Head in Worship: 1 Cor 11:2-16, pt 1
First of all, let me share why understanding this passage is important to me. An obvious reason--it's part of God's inspired Word. I've long believed and preached to others that "all Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful..." (2 Tim 3:16). So since this falls under that umbrella, I should give it my attention. It's a passage that…
Before the Silver Cord is Severed 