A Brief discussion of the History and Custom of Headship Etiquette

We all recognize the social norms of our culture, and looking back we see in recent history that many customs we simply gloss over, were held to more tenaciously by our ancestors. The defining term "Punk" is a common term used by elder generations to categorize the radical youth. Those who felt the drive to overthrow the seemingly meaningless fetters of cultural class, were drawn to raise desention in society by integrating counterculture practices in their circles. This characteristic separated those of traditional values and colored the age of the "Feel Good" movement with a definite tinge of lawlessness. One could dive deep into the causation of such an outbreak, but for this discussion we will only touch on the infiltration of this attitude among today's church in the form of amnesia in regard to common hat etiquette.   

The Man's side of things: I confess in my generation that normal gestures of respect have been overly forgone, inasmuch as common courtesy in removing ones hat indoors, or speaking to one in authority. I make no claim to be not affected by this negligence, and am taking steps to readjust old habits. However I will not be inflicting self flagellation, and don't recommend others engage as well, observing that cultures do indeed change over time. Now observe that the roots of traditional "hat tipping" or totally removing of the hat while engaging in solemn proceedings, originally emanates from the Biblical text.  

1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

When we pray, we engage in respectful conduct, because we are conversing with The Authority. Bowed head, bent knees, folded hands, and closed eyes are appropriate when addressing the Most High God. It would simply be a dishonor to the man's head, Christ, if reverence was not adhered to in the form of uncovering the head. However, nature itself tells us that when entering someone's house we enter the domain of the Head of the establishment, so we show honor by entering bareheaded. The Church building belongs to an establishment of believers who have dedicated it to the worship of the Lord, hence we remove hats when entering the House of God. We give God glory by uncovering His glory, (the man), and show honor by covering man's glory, (the woman's head). 1 cor 11.7  

The woman's side of things: Now a woman comes into the House of God, to pray or prophesy,(silently) and out of respect for God and her husband she covers her head, with her long covering of hair. We observe that she has taken good care to ensure the biblical mandate to retain a covering of the man's glory, (her head) in the presence of the divine council. 1 cor 11.10 This we see is the manifestation of honor towards her Maker. Now after all this special care taken to ensure that the man's glory is respectfully covered, the woman's attractive hair remains displayed in all it's glory. The woman has done her part in covering the man's glory, (her head) but the man seems not to notice that her glory is now conspicuously exposed during the prayerful, meditative hour. To make sure that God's glory is the only thing in focus during this time, and free God's men and messengers from any unnecessary distraction, an additional auxiliary covering is pertinent.    

 1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

A dissection of the etymology of the word "bareheaded" intimates a sense of shame, and only in reference to being without a hat. For women in centuries gone by, an appearance in public without a head covering was an act of impropriety. This symbol of having authority on the head of the woman, was universally recognized and consequently rejected by the great mass of militant women starting around the 1850s. As with all things contrary to scripture, a mere insinuation as to the biblical significance of headship, brings a firestorm of ridicule from the liberation movement. These fire breathing mothers of dissension have but one commonality in that they are at variance with authority. In other words, they have an authority problem. 

As stated plainly in scripture the woman is most necessarily to have authority represented on her head, while coming before the Lord. This covering doubtless includes the natural covering of hair, without which she would suffer shame. However if her head is uncovered, it would be the same as if she was hairless. Judge if it is attractive when a woman prays uncovered. Without a cover for her glory she inhibits the picture of being under authority.     

Now that we are sure to have evoked much high emotions from those who remain ignorant of the text of scripture, we extinguish any reason for malice by stating that though we may not agree with the bible, understand that God is right and we are wrong. Nature itself teaches us the ordinances of society, culture teaches unanimously the conditions of those seen as under authority. We may exercise our freedom under grace to forgo commandments such as believers baptism or biblical church order, and still live gloriously in salvation. But a hard look at what the world deems unnecessary and archaic reveals a purposeful plan for glorifying our Heavenly Father. Rather than gushing over with personal feelings on this and other topics, a carful study sought with a heart for God may render conclusions often overlooked in our self centered society.

In conclusion, this issue is settled for those who would grab onto this point of view in order to create division. Our tendency to embrace fellow believers should not be stifled in the cases where our customs and traditions differ. But in the spirit of fellowship we should always be willing to check our customs with the scripture, and throw out what is not in accordance. Though in this Godless culture that which we do seldom resonates with worldly reason, we look to the Scripture, and its influence on our ancestors of every creed, to see the gleam of Gods order perpetuated knowingly or unknowingly by humankind. In these last days when humanity divorces Gods way, and cleaves to that which is against nature, the church would do well to study Gods plan for our interval on this earth.