Brethren, we would like to stimulate your thinking processes by having you consider a series of questions on the headcoverings of Sisters.

QUESTION #1: If only the Memorial Service is under consideration here, then why does Paul exhort the brethren in Corinth to "remember me in ALL things, and keep the ORDINANCES (plural), as I delivered them to you."? Isn't this an all encompassing command? Is any area excluded? It would certainly appear to us that Paul is giving an absolute because of the language. Furthermore, he has not provided any exceptions or limitations.

QUESTION #2: If only the Memorial Service is under consideration, then why does Paul's instruction concerning a sister wearing a headcovering state, "But every woman that PRAYETH or PROPHESIETH with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head."? Since a sister is commanded to remain silent in the ecclesia (I Cor. 14:34-35; I Tim. 2:11-12), then this command must be for all occasions outside of ecclesial gatherings as well.

QUESTION #3: Does a man only pray or prophesy at the Memorial meeting?

QUESTION #4: Is there any time at which it is appropriate for a man to cover his head?

QUESTION #5: If the hair on the woman's head is the covering that is required, then what is the covering on a man's head that is to be removed?

QUESTION #6: If the hair on a woman's head is her covering, then why is she supposed to be "shorn or shaven" if she refuses to wear it? In fact, isn't being "shorn or shaven" the condition of being uncovered under such a definition of the headcovering?

QUESTION #7: Since the hair is a woman's glory, then isn't the removal of it the removal of her glory?

QUESTION #8: Since the hair of the woman is the glory of man, then isn't its covering over, or removal, the covering over, or removal of the glory of man? Isn't this symbolical act what is actually required by Yahweh of every saint in reality? Is this something that is only done at the Memorial meeting?

QUESTION #9: Since the head of man symbolizes the glory of Yahweh, then isn't it obvious that we must not cover this out of sight? Aren't we suppose to be revealing the glory of Yahweh in our lives? Is this true only at the Memorial meeting?

QUESTION #10: If when Paul says, "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the ecclesias of Yahweh." he means, "Don't make an issue out of it because it is unimportant.", then why did he write about it anyway? Nay, why did the Spirit inspire him to write about an unimportant issue that a person can do as he pleases on? Doesn't such a view of the matter reduce spirit guidance to the same level as Athenian foolishness? Doesn't the Spirit seem to be saying that the ecclesia does not have a custom of not wearing a headcovering, therefore, those who are trying to make such an issue should stop arguing about it. In other words, the eccelsias' custom has been and is the wearing of a headcovering.

QUESTION #11: Why is hair length on men and women introduced into this context? Could it be because long hair on the woman represents the glory of man which must be shaven or shorn if she refuses to cover it when she comes into the presence of Yahweh? Could being shaven or shorn be exposing women to shame because it demonstrates that they are acting like men? Could it be producing a state of shame like that experienced in the Garden of Eden because she refuses the sentence of the Elohim, or angels, who sentenced her to submission to the man because of her leading roll in the sin and because she was created for the man which appears to be the significance of verses 9 and 10? Therefore, could this be the reason why it is emphasized that it is a shame for men to have long hair? In other words, it is covering up the glory of Yahweh with the glory of man, or long hair, revealing the glory of man, and acting like a woman which is a shame unto him! Isn't this denying his roll of leadership which he was placed into by the Elohim when they made the woman subject unto him?

QUESTION #12: Isn't this wearing of long or short hair, or the wearing of a headcovering or not wearing a headcovering another aspect of: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto Yahweh thy Elohim." Deut. 22:5?

QUESTION: #13: Doesn't the woman symbolize the ecclesia? Therefore, doesn't the headcovering she wears symbolize the covering provided for all those who are baptized into Christ? In other words, doesn't it represent the outworking of the atonement?

QUESTION #14: Is the covering provided in the Lord Yahoshua Messiah something that is only needed during the Memorial meeting, or isn't it something that is necessary whenever we come into the presence of Yahweh? In other words, is there any time when it is appropriate for the glory of man to be revealed in the presence of Yahweh? Likewise, is there any time when the glory of Yahweh, as symbolized by the head of man, should be covered out of sight? In other words, is there any time when the head of man, or Christ, should not be revealed in our lives?

JB Scaramastro

Contents--Head Coverings for Sisters

The Hats of Christadelphian Sisters - A Biblical Consideration, Ron Abel		A response to "The Headcovering of Sisters: by Bro. David Murphy
"Let Her Be Covered", C.C. Walker, The Christadelphian, Feb. 1, 1900		Women's Hats and Churches, Bro. John Carter, The Christadelphian, December 1942, page 345
Headcovering: Letter to the Editor, The Christadelphians Magazine, Aug. 1983 Bro. Dennis and Sis. Iris Adey		Headcovering: Letter to the Editor, The Christadelphians Magazine, July 1983, Sis. Iris Clarke
The Headcoverings of Sisters		Does Bro. Roberts Give Sound Advice On The Headcovering Question in 1 Cor. 11?