Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.  But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife[a] is her husband,[b] and the head of Christ is God.  Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,  but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.  For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.  For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.  For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.  That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.  Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman;  for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.  Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?  Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.  If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (ESV)

Has anyone ever wondered why the evil one’s first step in shipwrecking our faith begins with that slippery, doubt-inducing question, “Did God really say?”

I grew up believing many of the feminist and higher criticism lies regarding Biblical Christianity. Why was Eve considered the weaker vessel? Isn’t the creation narrative in Genesis just a fairy tale to explain creation to ancient people who simply didn’t have the intellect to understand evolutionary theory? Did God really say, and do we really have to take Him at His word? Especially when it involves the subjugation of women…hmmm?

The old serpent is still going on with his old slippery lie.

Biblical Christianity is the only religion that holds up to its truth claims when it is put to the test. Our science is proven to be feeble and flawed when tested (see the COVID debacle of recent history, should you question the integrity of 21st century science.)

So what does any of this have to do with headcovering?

Do I believe the written Word of God is true?

The Bible IS the inspired Word of God, the apostolic faith once given to the saints.

Therefore, the Genesis narrative with its six day creation is true. The man Adam being shaped by the hand of God from the dust of the earth is true. God breathing the breath of life into Adam is also true, as well as God forming woman from the rib of Adam to be a companion and literally bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh is true.

It is also true that the woman was first deceived by the serpent, first to be tricked into asking that ominous question, “Did God really say?”

Feminism is absolutely opposed to the reality that woman is indeed the weaker vessel, designed by our Designer to complement, nurture and build up man. Women aren’t supposed to be frontline warriors. Men are supposed to defend and cherish women (that whole thing about men loving their wives like Christ loves His Church- see Ephesians 5) and women were made to respect their husbands and serve them, namely in keeping order in the home and caring for children.

Of course the feminist narrative that brought us Virginia Slims and millions of broken homes is more like a mentality of, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”

Granted some men behave horribly and act in shameful ways toward women. Our world was broken in the Fall and both men and women suffer for it.

Even when men fail, women can’t do it all. Not without burning out. Not without being brought to that utter point of defeat that C.S. Lewis described as knowing that it’s Christ or nothing. Because we as women are incomplete and defeated without Christ, our heavenly Bridegroom, whether we find ourselves with or without a man here on earth.

Feminism is a lie. God’s Word is truth.

As the weaker vessel I need a tangible reminder that I am covered by my Lord and Savior.

I need to be reminded not only in Divine Service of Whose I am, but as I go out in my various vocations. My heavenly Bridegroom covers me and keeps me focused on serving Him.

Our pastors wear a clerical collar that signifies they are slaves to Christ. I am certainly not a man and therefore implicitly disqualified from that office. But I am still not my own. I am still called to serve God and to submit to my Lord Jesus.

As a Christian woman in this treacherous world I am reminded that I am a woman under protection by my Lord Jesus. My daily work is not only vocation but it is also worship.

I have not always practiced headcovering and have gotten more than a few strange looks. Admittedly I have gotten my share of strange looks over the years for far more trivial things.

I will NOT say headcovering has anything to do with salvation which is through faith in Christ alone.

I will not say it should be commanded of modern day Christian women either. Rather, the practice of headcovering is a matter of conviction and conscience and recognition that what God teaches in His Word is meant for our instruction (training in righteousness, even as we know that too is a gift of the Holy Spirit,) and for our good.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

May we always remember God equips us and God sustains us in all He calls us to do.