Did Jesus have long hair?

[His child]

Hi Nimrod,

Sorry to have taken so long to respond to your questions. I'm not able to spend much time reading here, and just noticed tonight your post.

You've asked some good questions, and I hope others who are much more knowledgeable will offer their thoughts also. From my admittedly limited understanding here's my viewpoint.

I believe there are enough supportive written documents available to help us establish a basic sense of the customs & laws, etc. during the NT times. Scholars have researched many of the issues that crop up in discussions such as this. What I find important to remember for myself is that while they are in agreement on the basics, often there will be differences in beliefs even amongst themselves on some minor issues.

So where does that leave us? I feel we must be accountable as Christians to follow God's plan for us, to the best of our understanding. How do we know God's plan for our lives? Our Bible is one source. Prayer is another, and through prayer & meditation we can learn to listen & heed God's voice and guidance.

If I follow you correctly, you're saying that in Deut.5, some of the verses would be speaking of a civil law, while others would be considered issues of moral or sacramental laws. Interesting viewpoint, and I honestly hadn't given that much previous thought.

As to my interpretation of Deut 22:5? I believe God wants men and women to honor His choice of gender for us. If I'm born a female....I should live as a female. Depending on when and where I was born, that may vary according to the customs practiced at that point in history. If it's unacceptable in my current society for a woman to wear pants, then I wouldn't wear them. Likewise, it would be inappropriate for a male to wear a dress, high heel shoes, etc. today in society.

I really feel the message in that verse is more about the intention behind the choice of attire. Homosexuality & cross-dressing were not what God had intended when he created Adam and Eve. However, as a married mother of two, I see no harm in wearing pants. Nobody is mistaking my gender, and I'm not intending to mislead anyone into thinking I'm a male. It's far more immodest to garden, or horseback ride in a dress!

I didn't call you legalistic I was just sharing a tiny bit of my background. Facts are facts, and I was raised in a legalistic group. You have a good point however about "have to" making something legalistic. That pretty much sums up my early experience. There were so many "have to's" that many, many people missed the Gospel message...myself included. I guess that's why it's important to me to understand much more than the words alone in my Bible. I want to feel God's Spirit through the words - guiding me.

This is getting long, but you asked about 1 Cor. Everything I read has been previously "filtered" through my past teachings, and I've had to work hard not to, as the saying goes, throw out the baby with the bath water. I'm aware there are several groups who interpret those infamous long hair verses to mean all women, for all times, should have long hair. I've met many wonderful Christian ladies who certainly couldn't claim long hair. I call them Christian because the fruits of the Spirit are so evident in them, not because of the length of their hair. On the other hand, I've been on the receiving end of some extremely judgmental, self-righteous and mean spirited behavior...by ladies who profess to be Christian, with the long hair to prove it!

My hope as a Christian is to lead others to Christ. How? Most likely not by my choice of clothing or length of hair. Others are watching my actions - my choice of words - my spirit to others - my dedication to Bible reading, etc.

God's words are important Nimrod, but we can't take them out of context. God's Spirit of love and mercy shines through every bit of the Bible. That is what I fix my sights on.

God Bless.

 

[Alcott]

Originally posted by SolaScriptura in 2003:
Jesus did NOT have long hair:

(1) Paul says nature teaches that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him. (1 Cor 11) Jesus created nature, and therefore knew this and did not disgrace himself by it.

Since this verse does not define exactly what "long" means, in order to be absolutely certain we are in compliance with it, then we (men) should keep our heads shaved-- right? At least those who contend we should never drink any alcoholic beverage should easily see and apply the parallel here.

 

[SolaScriptura in 2003]

Well, from the context I would say that the definition of long is at least long enough to wrap around and partially cover your face with. Why?

(1) Long hair is given to women for a covering

1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

(2) Long hair itself is not the covering unless used as a covering

1 Cor 11:6 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.

Here is a woman neither shorn nor shaven - she has long hair - but she does not cover her head with it so she might as well go ahead and cut it off since she isn't using it for it's intended purpose.

Thus, considering that long hair is meant for a woman to cover her head with, the minimum length for long is long enough to wrap partially around the face - this is the minimum for long - this is where long begins in otherwords. The reason I say wrap around is that the word 'covering' in verse 15 is peribolaion which according to Strong's is "something thrown around one, i.e. a mantle, veil" - so if you can't throw your hair around and cover at least part of your face it's not long.

I realize that most people will NOT agree with what I just said, but I'm not going to concern myself with that.

 

[3AngelsMom]

Sola,

I have always taken that verse literally as well. I keep my hair long enough so that when I pray, and bow my head, my face is covered.

Right now though, I am about to cut it. It is almost to my waist, and it is about to get HOT here!

God Bless

 

[Nimrod]

Originally posted by His child:


If it's unacceptable in my current society for a woman to wear pants, then I wouldn't wear them. Likewise, it would be inappropriate for a male to wear a dress, high heel shoes, etc. today in society.

I never had a problem with pants. But I would not look at "society" as see if certain clothes are acceptable. Be careful about having society determining what is right.

Originally posted by His child:

My hope as a Christian is to lead others to Christ. How? Most likely not by my choice of clothing or length of hair.

If I go door to door witnessing, what should I wear and what should my appearance be? How about Hippie long hair, with a grateful dead tie-die shirt? This kind of look will turn off the listener and it is a disrespect to God. I do think choice of clothing and hair length can help/hinder my witnessing.

 

[His child]

Hi Nimrod,

I'm not sure how to explain in a clearer manner the beliefs I have on this subject. It appears you've misunderstood my position on this topic.
Let me try one final time....

Of course I'm aware that our daily appearance is one criteria on which we're judged. So would I go door to door witnessing, dressed as you stated in hippie-like fashions? Not likely. Why not? In our general mainstream society that is not a commonly accepted style of dress for most people. By dressing that way a person would almost certainly be pre-judged as a dope smoking society misfit. (I exaggerate here to make my point).

I don't know your personal background, but I am very familiar with the concept of long hair being a necessary "works" for salvation. I have had first hand experience with this. I have never heard once of anyone being led to Christ solely because a female they knew wore her hair long.

If we want to be respected by others, we'll dress in a modest appropriate manner. It is important to some degree what society determines in regards to clothing. That is how the "norm" is set. That doesn't mean we need to adhere to all current fashions and trends though. But it does set a standard for generally acceptable styles.

3AngelsMom stated that she takes these verses literally and has kept her hair long. I respect her belief. However it's been the manner in which she demonstrates her love for Christ, her desire to serve Him, and her zeal to grow spiritually that speaks to my heart. Not the length of her hair.

I must be doing a lousy job of communicating here. I have no problem with woman wearing long hair. I have for most of my life. Sometimes it's long, other times it's shorter. For me it's just never been a conviction that I must keep my hair long. If God were to convict me that it was necessary then it would be so.

End of story.