The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Head Coverings

Dave,

I'll let you have the last word on this one as I think my reply will suffice as my "closing remarks" on the subject, at least in regard to our exchange.

1. The example of "your house" meetings is irrelevant since it is not a church; elders, deacons, official preaching to the corporate gathering of the saints on the Lord's Day, gathering of offerings, administration of the sacraments, etc. Thus headcovering is not applicable.

2. Nowhere in all Scripture does Paul write that he "conformed himself" to the various people groups or cultures in regard to the public corporate worship of God's people. That which we read about corporate worship which Paul wrote is applicable and mandatory in all places for all time. Why? Because it is GOD Who has designed His own worship and not man, (ala: Cain), whereby men can pick and choose what they feel is appropriate and/or going to be acceptable to those called to worship. This is a truth which has for the most part been totally ignored today or rejected completely.

3. Sanctification is not restricted to the keeping of God's moral law. It is also being conformed in willing, heartfelt obedience to ALL of God's precepts, principles, commands, testimonies and laws. How we are to conduct ourselves before God in public corporate worship is not an exclusion wherein we can decide what is appropriate based upon the whims, prejudices or culture around us. God through the inspired Word is Who determines how men are to worship Him.

4. God's truth is always and everywhere to be taught to everyman and not truncated due to what people are allegedly "ready to receive". Paul was not ashamed to write that he preached and taught "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). And it is through this "whole counsel of God" that the Spirit works and is designed "for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (2Tim 3:16, 17) Isn't this another definition of Sanctification?

5. It is assuredly not an "over reaction" to the modern evangelical movement that we embrace and encourage others to see the biblical teaching concerning headcovering. For this practice has been in the Church for many centuries and was the generally accepted practice in nearly all the Reformed/Calvinistic churches which can be easily documented for you if you so desire. It's rejection is contemporary, perhaps due to the current mindset of the modern evangelical movement, e.g., rank individualism, broad toleration of ideas, weak view of Scripture and worship, etc., etc., ad nauseam.

I've enjoyed the exchange and hope that you would perhaps continue to give this truth concerning how believing men and women should conduct themselves in the worship of God. And, should the Spirit bring this truth to your heart, you would not go too far and insist that the practice be regulated by church order/law.

In His grace,