Head Coverings

This page signposts readers to articles and resources which discuss whether or not women should wear head coverings during worship.

* = Christadelphian Author



1. Books

• 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 – Head Covering in Bible Times and the Application Today by Averil & Ian McHaffie*
  1 Corinthians 11:2-16: An Examination of the section on head covering, a review of the historical and cultural background, a critical analysis of various interpretations, and some suggestions as to how this section should be helpfully understood and applied today. Our purpose in writing this book is three-fold: (1) To encourage unity and understanding within the Christadelphian community in accordance with the teaching to exercise tolerance  (“forbearing one another in love”) where different interpretations are held; (2) To encourage careful analysis of Bible teaching; (3) To encourage a re-assessment of some of the interpretations of 1 Corinthians 11 which are frequently asserted with great confidence but which, it seems to us, are not adequately supported by Scripture.
• Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians by Kenneth E. Bailey
  In his chapter on: "Men and Women Leading in Worship: Prophets and How they Dress" (pp.295 - 313) Bailey argues, by analysing the structure of the text, that 1 Corinthians 11: 1-16 is setting out dress codes for prophetesses in the first-century church.
• Unveiling Paul's Women by Lucy Peppiatt
  In this little book, Lucy Peppiatt not only highlights the problems associated with using this text to justify the subordination of women, but offers a clear and plausible re-reading of the text that paints the apostle Paul as a radical, visionary, church planter who championed women in all forms of leadership. The author postulates that Paul is paraphrasing the Corinthian church’s statements against uncovered heads, before going on to demolish their arguments.
• Head Coverings and Creation by Andrew Perry*
  This book (4th Edition, Revision 1 (Jan 2013), ISBN 978-0-9526-1924-6, 142 pages) examines the topic of Head Coverings in the church today. It offers a detailed analysis of Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 11, and shows how Paul argues that women in the church should wear head coverings at the breaking of bread meetings. The book also discusses the objections that are raised against this reading.
• Let her be covered: The hats of Christadelphian Sisters by Ron Abel*
  "Let her be covered" has been written in an attempt to set out clearly the Biblical reasons for the wearing of head coverings so that we might all "be united in the same mind and the same judgment (1 Cor:1:10, RSV).

2. Articles, Blogposts and Reviews

• Why I no longer wear a headcovering by a Sister*
• Headcoverings: 10 Reasons Why Not by Suzette Thompson*
  You may be thinking about why you are required to wear a head covering in the meetings of the ecclesia or indeed have decided to stop wearing one. When your behaviour is challenged (as it undoubtedly will be), don’t panic!  Your mind will probably go blank and your heart will start to race. Here are some short responses to try and commit to memory that may help you to make a reasoned and calm response.  
• 1 Corinthians 11:3-16: A Study by Christie Johnson*
  The aim of this paper is to consider the main passage used to support the practice of wearing head coverings in the worship service. We will consider how our own biases and cultural contexts can colour our interpretation of the relevant texts, and attempt to put these aside and divine the meaning the original author intended. We will then discuss the overarching principles that can be drawn from the text to see which, if any, can be extended beyond the original context, and how that might look in today’s ecclesias.
• p.s. Headcoverings by Mark Vincent*
  The writer gives a clear explanation as to why our community has interpreted this passage symbolically and that it has a universal application.
• One Woman's Journey: A Call to Reflect by Sarah Joiner*
  Three articles that chart how one sister's studies and experiences led her to change her views on head coverings and reassess women's roles in the ecclesia.
• Recognising the Headship of Christ by Michael Ashton*
  Are there times, then, when headcoverings need not be worn? Does the principle apply only at memorial meetings? What about our other gatherings? These are all questions that are raised from time-to-time, and require careful consideration.
• Should sisters wear headcoverings? by Robert Roberts*
  Whilst Robert Roberts appears to advocate head coverings at the breaking of bread, he surprisingly concludes: "if there is any disposition to raise contention on the subject, the best way is to consider peace, and give in to the scruples of the critics -- it does not matter much one way or other. "
• Questions about headcoverings by John Launchbury*
• Headcoverings: Scriptural or Cultural? by Sid Levett* (The Testimony Magazine, September 2011) The Scriptural teaching on this topic is reviewed in this article. The clear teaching requiring head covering for women worshipping in the congregation of the believers relies not on cultural considerations but on the creation record. Inevitably we find it a challenge to accept a practice that is not a feature of our contemporary culture.
• Head-coverings by Carly Giordano and Ben Brinkerhoff* (The Christadelphian Tidings, January 2004)
• Should women still wear head coverings? by Steve Cox*
  The only passage that discusses this is 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. That passage appears to state that head coverings for women were essential in first-century churches whenever they “prayed and prophesied”, which appears to equate both activities as spoken, out loud. There is no verse which indicates that this rule applied to women who did not “pray and prophesy”, nor to women who listened to communal prayer and said ‘Amen’. 
• "Let her be covered" by Harry Whittaker* from Bible Studies, pp 326-329.
  Whittaker gives an interesting analysis of the typology of the headcovering. Whilst he encourages headcoverings at the breaking of bread, he encourages latitude, and the exercising of the individual's conscience, in other meetings because it is unwise to make into a first principle what is only taught in one passage of scripture.
•  "Decorum in the Assemblies of the Community" by Alfred Norris* from Acts and Epistles, p351-353. Here, Norris gives a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, with notes on key Greek words. Acts and Epistles is currently out of print, but can often be purchased from the Second Hand book department of the Christadelphian Office.
• Head Coverings and Temporal Subordination by J. B. Norris*
  "If such local and passing customs had been the apostle's only reason for requiring that Christian sisters should be covered at worship, they could not be regarded as binding upon modern sisters of Jesus. But the fundamental apostolic reason, the headship of man over woman, constitutes an abiding sanction for past and present ecclesial practice" (J.B.N.).
• "Because of the angels" by Bruce W. Winter: After Paul left Corinth (p133 - 138).
  Winter argues that the "angels" of 1 Corinthians 11:10 were actually messengers sent to observe what happened at Christians meetings in order to report back to their wealthy clients. Hence, Paul advises wives to cover their heads whilst praying and prophesying so that they did not appear to be promiscuous, as an unveiled wife could be viewed as an adulteress in Corinthian society. Once again, Paul is concerned how the church appears to outsiders, so that nothing is detracted from bringing more to salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Veils, Hats and Wedding Rings by Averil and Ian Mchaffie*
  In a nutshell: Some bullet points which give some of the reasons why sisters should be encouraged to make up their own minds about whether to cover their heads or not.
• "Is the adorning of a woman's head when praying and prophesying primarily of theological or domestic significance in Paul's argument in 1 Cor 11:2-16?" by Andrew Perry*
  This paper analyses Paul's arguments in 1 Cor 11:2-16 from a social, ecclesial and theological perspective. It uncovers the ecclesial situation implied by this passage, and in particular the role (and supporting views) of those women who were praying and prophesying at Corinth. It sets this situation in the broader context of Greco-Roman and Jewish socio-religious norms and determines the extent of such influence (if any) on the ecclesial situation. It examines if and how Paul uses domestic and theological arguments to establish an order in the ecclesia. It proposes a new typological approach to Paul's use of the Genesis creation account and it shows how this sets the context for Paul's invocation of angels.

3. Audio-visual

• To Cover or not to Cover? An animation by Averil McHaffie*
  A cartoon discussing different views on 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
  
• Hats, hair and holiness by Reg Carr*
  The speaker shows how 1 Corinthians 11 is a very difficult text to understand and apply. He looks at three positions and points out the inadequacy in each, concluding that it is important for sisters to follow their own conscience based on their understanding of the text and not have someone else's position imposed on them.
• Bible teaching about head coverings by Michael Jenner*
  Why do women wear hats when they go to church? This talk gives a true biblical answer to the question and makes us aware of the the correct way to worship God.
• Head coverings and how to understand them today by James Dean*
  An exploration of the main interpretations of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Presentations

• Hairy Problems in Corinth by Rob Hyndman
  Rob demonstrates that head coverings were to be worn by married women who prayed and prophesied in the first century church for cultural reasons. They need not be worn in worship today.