Much must be considered in a study of this type. The headship veiling (for sometimes obvious and yet sometimes obscure reasons) is a topic of much controversy. I have noticed since instituting this practice in my family that women who wear the covering are maligned by the general public and much of mainstream Christianity. The more conservative groups of Christians seem to “put up with it”, but are obviously disturbed by the practice. Many stare and gawk at the observance of this Christian doctrine, who do not give a second glace or notice to demonic Islam’s shari’a enforced hijab practice; nor of the pagan “Catholic” nun’s blasphemous mockery of the bride of Christ in her habit. Perhaps this is evidence of the perilous times in which we have been thrust.

 

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;

that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

--- Isaiah 5:20

 

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,

proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,

incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

-- 2 Timothy 3:1-7

 

We are however very much accepted among our own church even though my wife is the only one wearing a covering there. But then again our home church would not be often confused with modern, mainstream “Christianity”. We believe in holiness in attitude and practice; separation from the world, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. For this we are all maligned, by professing Christian and sinner alike. We have a standard to rally around, His name is Jesus Christ. Our pastor, Britt Williams, is a man of great conviction with an endearing love for the Savior and a man who trembles at the Word of God. His passion is evident, his charity pure, his hands indeed to the plow. It was with him that I first addressed this matter of the headship veiling when I had solidified my position. He was gracious, cautious, and trod circumspectly in this matter; which was no great shock to me. I have come to know him as a man of great reverence for Biblical Truth, and very little respect for frivolous, impertinent and mediocre handling of the Scripture. He has been a comfort to us.

 

I spoke with my pastor first for obvious reasons (obvious to the Spiritually minded). As my pastor, he watches for my soul. This is not something which I take lightly and therefore very much appreciate and value his counsel. I spent many months, (nearly a year and a half) studying this issue after coming to my initial conclusions. I determined to stand on the truth of Scripture and to be able to defend my position, not only to my pastor but to any who would query. This not only because of my great reverence for the Word of God, but because I determined I had to be correct on this issue of the head covering. I studied with much caution and deliberateness. You see, this was not some whim or a snap decision. I knew that at the very least my decision would influence and impact many of those whom I love the most; and would directly affect, at the very least, the next two generations of my family. And so with great trembling and fear I proceeded to put my conclusions on paper. This article is the result of those studies, my conversations with my pastor and prayer.

 

I began this study on the headship veiling quite simply because the subject kept coming up. I have learned as a matter of principles in spiritual discernment not to despise these yearnings of concurrence. Whether a question asked while witnessing, an obscure reference in a piece of literature, in conversation among other believers or something totally unrelated leading to thoughts of this passage in scripture, the continual return to the subject seemed more than could be explained by simple “coincidence”. I returned to 1 Corinthians 11 repeatedly seeking Truth in this matter. I began to think it possible that this passage actually commanded women NOT to wear a veil. I had been of the opinion that it was not a compulsory instruction from God but a matter of personal conviction and relegated this issue to conscience in the spirit Romans 14. But now, could it be possible that some I loved and cared about who practiced headship veiling were actually in disobedience? Deeper study became a necessity if I were to confront them with this “new revelation”. I would most certainly be required to show this by “many infallible proofs” and strictly by Scripture. Not much study proved my “new revelation” to be of my own devising. Scripture simply could not be “twisted” to proscribe the headship veiling.

Thus I returned to my original premise. The long hair of 11:15 is the covering referred to in the earlier verses. My studies did not end. Setting my preconceived notions on the matter aside, I continued in the study; Truth as my ultimate goal. I read and reread the passage. I consulted Greek lexicons and Commentaries for specificity on the meanings of words and contextual relevance. I soon discovered that my opinion on the matter was not as cut and dry as I had supposed. In fact, it became evident early on in my studies that my premise of the long hair was frivolous at best, and at worst absurd.

 

The Greek language I discovered disagreed with me. The English clumsy, confusing and at times, nonsensical.  The Commentaries overwhelmingly disapproved of my outlook, and in fact contradicted it. I found myself adrift on the sea of personal opinion without a single buoy of Biblical Truth on which to cling. I set myself to agree with Scripture on the points of, not what I could make it say but on, what it actually said. When the shadow of truth began to overtake me, I knew I could do nothing but follow the example of Moses and “draw near unto the thick darkness where God was”.

 

Hence was born this dissertation. I believe it to be the Truth on this matter and earnestly covet Biblical correction if in error.