Ramblings on What We Share: Girl Power

 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

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 did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.  I Corinthians 11:2-16

Some people say that this passage demeans women. Yet we know, deep in our hearts, that it is not in God’s nature to demean anyone. He has shown himself in Scripture to be one who raises up the humble and show favor to the small and weakest among mankind.

In these verses we see that women are given a place of great importance. We women have authority. We have a special position with the angels, even though the nature of that remains a mystery to us. We are the mothers of men. Best of all, we have a place in God’s leadership order.

If we look at the order of headship discussed in this passage, we see that a so-called “lower” level is not a place of being less. Surely Christ is not less than God the Father. If so, the doctrine of the Trinity is a farce. Yet Christ willingly submitted himself to the Father’s will saying that the Son “can do only what he sees his Father doing” (John 5:19). And Christ clearly taught His disciples that they were His brothers and sisters (Matt. 12:47-50) and joint heirs with Him (Rom. 8:17). Yet Christian men and women willingly submit themselves to the will of Jesus Christ.

Now, as we consider this pattern, we can see that women are equal to men in God’s eyes (verse 11). Yet, we women can choose to be respectful of our husbands, Christ, and God by submitting our wills to theirs. And something quite powerful happens when we do that – there is order.

As women, we seem to have a God-given ability to bring unity and peace or to sow discord and division. Apparently the angels prefer things to be peaceful and orderly as they seem to do when women exercise their authority properly.

Ramblings on What We Share: To Eat or Not to Eat

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.   I Corinthians 10:23 – 11:1

When studying this passage, we must realize the great variance between the legalism of the Jews compared to the more flexible practices of the Gentiles. Paul, a master at navigating between the two cultures, offers a moderate view on dietary practices. Unlike the Jews, Paul encourages a relaxed approach to what one eats when visiting someone else’s home or when purchasing food at the market. The dietary laws of the Old Testament are not upheld here.

The only restriction on what we eat should be based on the conscience of the person we are eating with. As Paul mentions, this was the practice of Jesus who easily shared strict, Kosher meals with members of the Jewish religious leadership yet was also quite comfortable eating with Samaritans, prostitutes and tax collectors.

We are free to do whatever – as long as it glorifies God.