If a Lady’s Head is Uncovered, is she Modest?
The words below were written by John Calvin. His words show he believed that the uncovering of a woman’s head would lead to a decline in modesty. I’m struck by how accurately a man from the 1500’s has described the dress of today’s women.
“So if women are thus permitted to have their heads uncovered and to show their hair, they will eventually be allowed to expose their entire breasts, and they will come to make their exhibitions as if it were a tavern show; they will become so brazen that modesty and shame will be no more; in short they will forget the duty of nature…Further, we know that the world takes everything to its own advantage. So, if one has liberty in lesser things, why not do the same with this the same way as with that? And in making such comparisons they will make such a mess that there will be utter chaos. So, when it is permissible for the women to uncover their heads, one will say, ‘Well, what harm in uncovering the stomach also?’ And then after that one will plead for something else; ‘Now if the women go bareheaded, why not also bare this and bare that?’ Then the men, for their part, will break loose too. In short, there will be no decency left, unless people contain themselves and respect what is proper and fitting, so as not to go headlong overboard” (John Calvin – 1509-1564)
Is head covering and the principles behind it of such significance that the neglect of doing so has led to the immodesty of today?
1 Corinthians 11: 5 & 6
“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. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
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This poses some really good questions, and makes one think a lot more about where exactly modesty “begins”.
One could say that to be absolutely modest, women should wear the black veils that Muslim women traditionally wear. Is that too restrictive?
^^I don’t actually believe that – just food for thought.
Thanks for commenting, Foy. Hopefully I didn’t scare everyone else away with this topic!
To see links to several articles on this subject and my own convictions on the matter you can go to a blog post I did on my personal blog:
http://makingjesusmypearl.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-are-head-coverings-for-and-why.html
Wow! I never thought of it quite from that angle before! thought-provoking post. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS QUESTION ANSWERED….What does a guy think when he sees a modest girl/lady (maybe like a Mennonite or something) with her head covered? What goes through his mind???? Thanks, Anne
Anne, Thanks for your comment and glad you found it thought provoking! I hope the guys will respond to your question!
Guys,
Please do answer Anne’s question if you would! I’d appreciate hearing your feedback on her question too!
Mommajos last blog post..What are head coverings for and why would a Christian woman wear one?
Hi – I’m not a guy, but I’ve been complimented a few times from men who are not from a background where women wore a headcovering. Basically what they have all said is that they appreciate the sincerity of the ladies who choose to cover, and that it is beautiful. I heard of a preacher who said that when he talked about covering and a young lady spoke up to say that she would never do wear a covering, that young man mentioned later that he would never marry a woman like her, due to her stubbornness or hardness of heart (I don’t remember the exact words). Headcovering isn’t exactly a modesty issue for us, as it is for Muslim or Jewish women, but the idea that we will humble ourselves in submission to God and our husbands certainly draws some attention to our feminine side, which (in our world of androgyny) is attractive, in a non-sensual kind of way, I mean. And the very acknowledgment of our humbleness and feminine nature kind of draws attention to that sensuality which is also there, in our minds, I think, which is what helps us to understand a little bit more about that kind of modesty in dress and behaviour too. Have you ever noticed how many times when a woman becomes more modest in apparel, she begins to look into that headcovering issue, and when a woman begins to look into that headcovering issue, she becomes more modest in apparel? Somehow the two issues have much to do with each other, I think, even though 1 Cor. 11 and 1 Tim. 2 are not written about both issues at the same time. Oh, I’m sorry to have gone on and on here. God’s blessings be yours …
LisaMs last blog post..Blogging about Christian Headcovering
When I was young, my mom wore a hat to church on occasion. Not because she felt any conviction to wear a hat– just that she liked hats. The only other interaction I’ve had with people and hats was at college where the church I went to Sunday Evenings had a rule that if you went on the platform you had to wear a hat– and many of the ladies in the congregation wore them.
Bob Jones University, where I went to college, was having ladies wear hats in chapel up until the end of the last century.
I say all this to provide context.
After reading the passage myself, I have a lot of respect for women that choose to wear hats based on the passages of Scripture (1 Cor 11 in particular). I find that it’s consistent with a straightforward interpretation of the passage, and I appreciate these women’s desire to please their Lord and reverence their husband.
Seriously, though, I’m not sure what I think of the various head coverings. The white cap that some Mennonite wear I wonder how that is actually covering the head. It seems that it only covers a small portion. Those that cover all their hair, I’m not sure that that is faithful to the idea of the passage.
While I’m clear on the passage being about covering, what I’m not clear on is where it goes from there. How much should be covered? How often– just in church, just when praying, at all times?
I also haven’t come to the place where I’ve felt convicted enough to have my wife do it. So, I’m still undecided.
Does that help?
Thank you LisaM for sharing your insight on the subject! I totally agree; I’ve seen it, for me personally, and for other women that when God spoke to their hearts about modesty they also eventually became stirred about headcovering. I do think there is significance in that…
Mommajos last blog post..What are head coverings for and why would a Christian woman wear one?
MintheGap,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for finding it something to ponder and be prayerful about and not just dismiss.
Mommajos last blog post..Posts and Resources addressing Biblical Courtship
You’re welcome– I think that you’ll find when I get to head coverings in the series I’m doing on Mondays that I’m far from sure about what should be done there.
hey everyone, thanks for discussing my questions. i know where i stand on this issue…but i was curious to find out what people would answer to my questions. i agree with you, MintheGap, on what you said about the “white cap” that some Mennonites wear. i know a lot of them wear it because it’s a requirement of the church, “tradition”, or it’s just something they’ve always done. to me those are all the “wrong” reasons for wearing some kind of veiling/covering.
(gotta go…..finish comment later.)
Definitely, Anne. That crosses the line into legalism. Personally, I wonder if we really could find out what would be considered a good head covering from Biblical standards. I mean, what if it’s not a hat, but is more like a turban? Could what the covering is be determined by culture? What is the root command here– if there is one?
Ok, I’m back. Yeah I would think culture would have something to do with it. By the way, I wasn’t being judgmental of Mennonites. I try not to stereotype people. I know a lot of them have a heart’s desire to follow the Scripture in this area!
One of the reasons I found this post so interesting is because I have always thought of the veiling as a headship issue rather than a modesty issue. Also because of verse 5 of I Cor. 11. “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.” So it’s also a prayer veiling. (Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:16)
Thanks for all the feed back I love discussing this!
I’m bringing this back up again in my Monday series, but you’re right, it is a headship issue– but I believe it’s also attached to modesty because modesty and humility are attached. Submission, modest, humility and purity all travel together– so the question is relevant because modest is about covering. Just as the question of long hair is relevant, covered hair is relevant.
If you look at the quote from Calvin in the post, he linked head covering with the possibility of it being a slippery slope– leading to what we see today. I find that analysis interesting.
I think the root command here is to show submission to your husband (for the ladies), since the covering is to be a sign of that submission.
I’ve been friends with those who covered, as well as considered it for a time. My dad put his foot down (I was unmarried and living at home) and to disobey him would have kind-of defeated the purpose, especially for my mother to have done it. I highly respect those who cover and keep a humble attitude, because I know they are doing exactly what they feel God is calling them to do and yet they understand that my husband (or father as the case may be) is at a different place.
As far as this relates to the modesty issue…I think a woman can be modest even if her head is uncovered. I think the start of the downward spiral in immodest dress probably would ultimatly have to be taken back to the Fall since I think it is yet another way of showing our sinful behavior. However, while I think Calvin makes an interesting point (one I never would have thought of, but it’s excellent!), I think women beginning to show their ankles or showing acres of the chest area (in several different eras of dress) could also be in part to blame for the (lack of) clothing we see today. Now, don’t get me wrong…I don’t think it’s immodest to show your ankles! But it is all a matter of pushing society’s boundries (this time, in a bad way)…
Ok…that is kind of a post in and of itself! Sorry for the length. I’ve been mulling this over and just now am writing it all out. :-D You can wake up now..I’m done “talking”.
I think you’re right in tracing it back to the fall, but if you think about it, Eve was naked and not immodest in the beginning! :)
Seriously, I think the discussion of head-coverings is pertinent simply because what we see on the outside is a reflection of what is on the inside. A woman that wants to be seen dresses accordingly. A woman that wants to be humble or submit does for the same reason.
In reality, the head-covering and modest dress are beautiful in that they reflect a heart eager to please God and their husband/father.
I do agree that is much more of a headship issue than a modesty issue (and that could be a whole other topic in today’s culture!) I found the quote by Calvin so compelling because it seemed the two are tied somehow. I wonder do we only feel so at liberty to begin uncovering our bodies because we have stepped out of the God ordained line of order… we don’t know our place? I don’t know if I’m making sense! :)
I’m glad this has made everyone think and I’ve appreciated reading all the feedback!
Mommajos last blog post..Headcovering… putting feet to my convictions
Interesting… Let me run with your comment for a minute– we all know that as we sin more, and get further from God, the easier it is to sin. For the believe, we can even sear our conscience to the point that what we once believe was wrong is no longer wrong. So… Not wearing a head covering could be a part of falling away in terms of dress.
The first problem with the theory is that I don’t believe that most girls grow up believing it to be wrong not to wear a head covering– so they would have no reference from which to deviate. Nor would I expect that it would be a natural thing to think “Oh, I have this feeling I should wear a hat” apart from Scripture.
However, to counter the thought, if a person were reading the Scripture and saw that they should wear a head covering and then chose not to, I could see where that could erode that person or the family’s view of the authority of Scripture– and that could lead to more sin.
Interesting…
I have always been taught that a Christian woman should cover her head, according to the commands of Scripture. Now, there are no specifications in I Cor. 11 as to what is this veiling/covering should literally look like. That is why I don’t think it is right to make rules that you have to wear a certain kind. I wear a white, hanging veil (covers part of the top of my head and hangs to my hairline at top of my neck.) By no means do I think everyone has to wear one like I do. In fact, we have several different types of veilings/coverings within our church.
As I said before, this is something I’ve always been taught. But, that is NOT (the sole reason)why I wear a veiling. It is because of my own conviction, and in obedience to God.
I do NOT see it as an issue of Salvation. God leads different people to different places. We must each be faithful in following Him as He leads!
I think you are right MIntheGap. MOST girls DON’T grow up being taught to wear a head covering. That’s one reason why I said I don’t think it’s a matter of Salvation. How can you know to wear one if you’ve never heard of it???
So, yes I agree with you.
Anne,
Thanks so much for your input and sharing your convictions on this topic. This has been a new conviction for me, not something I was taught growing up, so I really appreciate hearing others share. Like you said, it was me reading the scripture and the Holy Spirit convicting me personally.
May I ask where you purchase your headcoverings?
Thanks!
MintheGap.. I agree with your train of thought.
Mommajos last blog post..Headcovering… putting feet to my convictions
Mommajo,
I actually don’t buy them but get a friend to make them. They’re very simple and white. (I have no problem with black or other colors, I just prefer white because it’s a color that speak of purity, surrender, and radiance.)
I haven’t the time right now but I will try to find some websites and some information of places where you can purchase different kinds of headcoverings.
When/If I do, I will put them here on this post for you. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. :( Have a lovely evening! ~Anne
Mommajo, I found a LOT. I was surprised!
http://www.prayercoverings.com
http://www.glamdoily.com
http://www.headcovers.com (LOTS of cute hats)
http://www.modestworld.com
http://www.coveryourhair.com
http://www.liliesapparel.com
http://www.headcoverings.com
http://www.mennoniteheadcovering.com
http://www.distinctiveheadcovering.com
ebay (believe it or not :))
I hope this helps!!! I was looking at some of these websites and marveling at the huge variety and styles! sorry if this wasn’t the best place to post but I didn’t know where else to put them for you. God bless! ~Anne
Anne, this site puts any post that has more than one link in it into moderation, so that’s why some of your submissions were not getting through. I’m sorry for any frustration it may have caused.
Thanks a ton Anne!!!!
Mommajos last blog post..From the mountain to the valley … God is faithful.
Wow the statment of Calvin is scary! Was he a believer? Where did you get/found this extract?
I feel that my hair is my own, and I should cover it only if I want to. If men lust for me because of it, that is their own fault and they’re problem to deal with. What I choose to do with my hair is my own decision. I consider myself in no way immoral or indecent, I just don’t take kindly to being categorized.
I agree with Heather. Hair isn’t particularly luring to men, and if it does “tempt” them that is their fault. Women shouldn’t be forced to cover their heads for men who can’t control themselves.
I’m not sure I understand your credentials for being an expert on what is and is not "luring to men." Being one myself, I can tell you that different men find different things attractive, and I can also tell you that there are more men that have comments about hair length, color, etc. than you would believe!
I’ve been torn on the subject of headcoverings for years. Both sides make sense to me. Since hair is considered something that can be sensual to a man, perhaps we should cover it. And it does show that a woman wants to be modest and submissive when she’s wearing a head covering.
#Feb2011NCARating