The Forum
This department is provided for the free and courteous discussion of biblical and spiritual problems which may be considered edifying to the people of God. Letters concerning such matters are requested.
Dear Sir,
I have been much grieved of late in walking into the morning meeting to see so many sisters with short hair, trimmed so as to cover nothing of the neck. I feel that this is showing a rebellious spirit, especially on the part of some who have been saved many years.
I am not out for very long hair, but I believe in a length that will result in a good conscience, and that, of course, may vary with different individuals. The phrase, “How short is short,” does not make sense when a person has already cut her hair very short. I love some of these Christians very much, and this makes it hurt all the more.
Personally I am willing to set aside much of what is only tradition, for we have had too much of this at times. Nevertheless, we must not set aside what God’s Word plainly states.
One sometimes wonders what the angels think when they look down and see some of us sisters in rebellion.
Am anxious to see your comments on this question, not only for my own good but for that of others.
Saved many years
M.R.
An exercised correspondent has written us asking why godly saints are being grieved by certain sisters who cut their hair short, and who fail to wear a proper head covering at assembly meetings. This correspondent asks if the hair of the sisters should not be long enough to give one a good conscience in the presence of the Lord and His angels.
The truth of the double covering for our sisters in 1 Corinthians 2 is acknowledged as sound doctrine by all assemblies. It is therefore not a lack of knowledge on the part of some who ignore what is plainly taught; but, alas, a mark of disobedience. Some will insist on coming with a net on the head which is not even an excuse for a covering. What a sight for angels to behold! What a mark of lawlessness in the sisters’ dress. It is not hard to discern some of the reasons for this disregard of godly order.
One is the failure on the part of elder brethren to bear the responsibility that devolves upon them as overseers. It is their duty to see that all carry out what is plainly taught in the Word of God. In a kindly manner they should insist on godly deportment in all the gatherings of the saints.
Another reason for this disorder is the setting aside of the truth of eldership altogether, and the substituting in its place a general business meeting where every babe and novice in the assembly has as much to say about church administration as the matured, experienced, and godly shepherds.
To substitute a business meeting for a godly oversight is to contradict the clear teaching of the Word of God, and to destroy the scriptural government a the assembly.
Perhaps there is another reason; we live in an age of change. The craze for change has come in among us. Many of the old landmarks have been removed and new ones set up. But I confess that many of the new ones are inferior to the old for some of these changes have infringed even upon divine principles, albeit they profess to be simply a change of method.
It is not only an age of change but an age of shallow thinking. Fixed convictions have been shaken and a spirit of irreverence has crept in. We no longer stand in awe at the Word of God, and the fear of God has so little grip upon our souls. There is more money, more planning, and more activity than ever, but, alas, godly saints yearn for a return to first love, first works, and first principles. We need to be led out of the quagmire of shallowness into a deeper knowledge of God and His ways.
R. McC.