Sometimes, Muslims will say that Paul did away with the law to make Christianity more appealing to on-Jews, but other times they find Paul making rules that are not found in the Gospels or the Old Testament.
One popular polemic for Muslims is to accuse Christian women of disregarding the Bible for not wearing head coverings as Paul commanded:
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.
--1 Cor 11:6 (KJV)
Why does Paul tell the Corinthian women to cover their head?
Here is the answer: In Corinth at that time, the female temple prostitutes had short hair, and the male temple prostitutes had long hair. If you don't know that, this chapter has no reasonable meaning.
Paul gives reasons why women should be covered, but he finally concludes:
Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled?
-- 1 Corinthians 11:13
Since in our culture female temple prostitutes don't have short hair, it is fine for women to not be veiled.
Also I should point out that we have the story in Genesis 38, where Judah saw a woman but did not recognize her as Tamar because of the veil she wore over her face. Thinking she was a prostitute, he requested her services.
Since in our culture female temple prostitutes don't have short hair, it is fine for women to not be veiled.
Also I should point out that we have the story in Genesis 38, where Judah saw a woman but did not recognize her as Tamar because of the veil she wore over her face. Thinking she was a prostitute, he requested her services.
One difference you will notice between the Quran and the Bible is that Paul tries to appeal to reason whenever possible, while the Quran often simply threatens the disobedient with hellfire. Normally, Paul starts with what his audience already knows and draws a conclusion.
I don't believe this is an argument for Islam. Christian head covering predates the Islamic religion.
ReplyDeleteHere's an article for your consideration that talks about the temple prostitutes: http://www.headcoveringmovement.com/articles/is-head-covering-cultural-what-about-the-corinthian-prostitutes
The covering of the head has a much deeper meaning than wearing a veil. Even though Paul says a woman's long hair is sufficient for her covering naturally. Spiritually this has a much deeper meaning.
ReplyDeleteTo have your head covered is to have the word of God with you. To love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. If you do this God will cover you. He will put his word in your heart and mind. Therefore your head will be covered. Ready for when God needs to use you to bring his word to others.
When we take out an insurance policy on our homes, we pay upfront monthly so that when we need help we can go to the insurance company because we are covered and they will give us a payment. This is like God But we pay him by giving him our life daily. And taking up our cross, denying sin in our hearts and following Jesus' example.
If we do this, he wiil cover us. By covering our head giving us a mind of wisdom and understanding, ready to fight the good fight and bring his word to many. Not thinking of our worldly lusts, but thinking of what will please God. With a new mind and heart. Having our heads covered in him.
When the woman caught in adultery was to be stoned for sinning. Jesus only used one sentence and it sent all her would be stoners away. His words were " those who are without sin, cast the first stone" this was wisdom from God, given to him in an instant because his heart and mind were pure and free from this world. His head was covered!
The bible is full of deaper meanings. As Our lord Jesus said "those who have ears to hear" will understand. But we must give off our old life of sin. Becoming a new person, being born again in the life of God putting our old man of sin away and with Christ in our hearts we can succeed because he overcame the world!
Mary