Expert: Marvin Howard - 9/26/2004

Question
I know that 1 Corinthians 11 instructs women to wear head coverings in worship.  Theological issues aside, can you give me a basic history on what periods in time it has been acceptable and not acceptable for women to attend services without a covering?

I am a member of the CofC.

Thank you, Moselle Boyce

Answer
Hi!

Sister Boyce, I am unsure if I can answer this, but I will try. Firstly, even if it isn't going to be used, I am going to include the reference, and brief a brief comment, for others who may read this Q/A.

I Corinthians 11:1-16, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 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. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

Nature, itself, teaches about hair length (vv. 14 & 15). Religion taught about additional head coverings. Whether this is a hat, veil, or scarf, the text omits. Presumably, all can be counted in this subject. In closing the context, Paul instructs the Corinthian brethren that the church has no such custom about head coverings. This verse cannot be referencing hair length, as we cannot control what God gives to even develope a custom. Jesus is now the head covering for all.

But, you asked a history question. It is not my strong suit, but let's see what can be found. Understand, please, I am homebound. My references are limited to those online. Information from a library may be more complete. Perhaps I can give you a good place to start looking if I cannot answer this satisfactorily.

Prior to Moses, under the Patriarichal Age, we have no reference to corporate worship of any kind. This is considered by the world to be prehistoric, so nothing is going to be found here.

Numbers 5:18, "And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:"

Part of the Mosaical law included the uncovering of a woman's head for certain ceremonies. This indicates the custom was already in place at this time. It is obvious from this, that Hebrews, kept the female heads covered from the times of Moses to Christ, at least.

Though done away at Christ's death, the tradition was well ingrained in the hearts of men. It was continued by Jews, obviously rejecting Christ. Muslims have had a form of their hijab since inception of the religion in 622 A.D.

http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962/ChurchHistory.html

Let's see if and when it may have been continued by denominations.

"A veil may refer to several different kinds of clothing for women, all of which cover some part of the head or face.

"For many centuries (until around 1175) Anglo-Saxon and then Anglo-Norman women, with the exception of young unmarried girls, wore veils that entirely covered their hair, and often their necks up to their chins."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veil
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Veil

Here is an interesting article relating how the use of hats in place of veils became popular because of the African community:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week724/feature.html

Catholics still demand such coverings:

http://www.tldm.org/news6/veils.htm

The information to be found on the web is confusing, at best, on this issue. Historically, the best I can say is that head coverings for women began at or before the Mosaical law was given. Though no longer required of Christians, the tradition has continued through this day (in one form or another). It seems that it has become increasingly less popular to wear such articles since the feminist movement began in the United States (specifically in the 1940's).

I am very dissatisfied with my own answer for you. Yet, it is the best I can dig up. I wish you well with your further studies, for I know you need more.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
preacherman_1962@bellsouth.net
braswell_church@bellsouth.net
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962