The Godly Beard

[dlehman]

I have written a new book called The Godly Beard. It is available for free online at http://www.i8-d.com/The_Godly_Beard_-_Web_Edition.pdf . It is free to read, but not print, sell or edit. If you want the book in print form, it is available at http://www.cafepress.com/dewaynelehman .

First let me say, while I'm discussing a new book I've written, I'm not trying to promote anything. I'm making the book available free to read online in PDF form. I am not worried about sales. I figure if people like the online version, they'll get a copy for their library. And if they don't, oh well. I just want to get the clear message out.

It's a 77 page book on the biblical beard from the historical, cultural, and scriptural viewpoints. I will inform potential readers that the historical and cultural "views" focus on the negative view of the beard throughout world and church history.

I hope my book is enlightening and convicting to everyone. Fear not, it is not condemning. That's not my place nor my intention.

Please let me know your thoughts after reading. Thank you!

God bless,
Bro. Lehman

[Sam]

I did not read the book

[dlehman]

I know, It was only published a few days ago. That's why I posted here, so people could read it. :)

[SOUNWORTHY]

It's about time.:thumbsup

The bearded one!!

[Michael The Disciple]

Ok I skimmed the book. A pretty good assesment of the topic imo.

[rava61]

That is one of the best pieces that I have ever read concerning the beard. I myself have never had a beard for ther sake of 'my ministry'; however, I have not preached that it was wrong for any man to have a beard if they chose to. There are many among us Apostolics who gladly condemn men for having beards or mustaches, though they have no scripture to back them; so it will be with great joy that I pass this on to my friends. I do plan on getting a printed copy to add to my library.

Thanks for allowing God to use you to enlighten us.

[dlehman]

That is one of the best pieces that I have ever read concerning the beard. I myself have never had a beard for ther sake of 'my ministry'; however, I have not preached that it was wrong for any man to have a beard if they chose to. There are many among us Apostolics who gladly condemn men for having beards or mustaches, though they have no scripture to back them; so it will be with great joy that I pass this on to my friends. I do plan on getting a printed copy to add to my library.

Thanks for allowing God to use you to enlighten us.

Thank you, Bro. I am glad that you enjoyed the book. I know that there are still many who take an opposing position. (I would be curious for their comments after reading the book.) But I have also found, even among older UPC ministers (which are often stereotyped as "hard", which is unfair to them, I think), that they are welcoming this book. I've honestly not had any negative feedback at all, which is quite surprising for me.

Please encourage your friends to leave a comment here after reading. I welcome all comments, even the negative ones. :)

God bless,

Bro. Lehman

[Scott Hutchinson]

I read the first two chapters very informative. To me beards are a matter of personal preference.

[Sister Alvear]

I will read it...however I am not thinking of growing one! ha....

[Sister Alvear]

I am reading it...may I ask are you a part of some organization?

[SeekingOne]

First of all, like you, I am not meaning to offend. I am just sharing my thoughts and feelings. I mean no disrespect to you or your book....

I have a question, not really a question I guess, a statement about the sentence on Page 4. It states that "This book is about a standard of holiness that predates every other standard."

I agree that beards are fine, but still don't see a "standard of holiness" for what is on the outside, unless we want to become pharisees. If God had "holiness standards for dress" then I think he would have CLEARLY outlined them like all the other important things for us to follow.

I think it is terrible that churches would preach against a beard and I think it would be terrible to preach that one is needed. Please pastors, preach what Jesus preached. HE is our authority. Don't play God and tell people about man made Heaven and hell issues.

If you want to preach standards that you feel are pleasing to God, fine. Be an example of Love as Jesus said and they will likely want to be like you. Just don't make heaven and hell issues out of them, because eventually someone is going to read the Bible without your personal interpretation and then they will not trust you and possible other Godly men and leave God altogether. :sad

To me, this is just another book that wants us to focus on something that Jesus did not focus on. HE knew the future, He knew all along that the Bible would be put together and He knew what books would be included etc.

I believe HE would have made sure the outward "standard of holiness" would have been clearly outlined so that WE would not end up in hell.

I love history and I think we can learn a lot from history. I do NOT think that I should do something to keep out of hell, nor do I think it pleases God, to do something just because "they did it back then." What pleases God are the things HE said pleases HIM, not what we make up that we think pleases Him from all our studies and personal interpretations.:nah

By the way, I did not end up reading it to the end word for word. Do you end up saying that Women should not shave their underarms or legs? If a woman has beard hair, is it okay for them to shave? Really curious, I am not being sarcastic.

[dlehman]

Many replies, so let me respond to each individually, separately.

I read the first two chapters very informative. To me beards are a matter of personal preference.

Thank you for reading the first two chapters.

I would say all holiness standards are a matter of preference. And if we measure ourselves by scripture, we find that scripture backs certain preferences, and even fewer are literally labelled as holy unto God. Leviticus 19:2 is quoted by Peter to point something out, that the walk with God continually brings us more in line with His holiness, and we must encourage it (and not use it as a club to condemn people with). We become more and more like Him. As I say, nobody is perfect, and if perfect holiness is required for salvation, we're all doomed, brother. ;)

And so, I am encouraging holiness. I hope that none have felt any condemnation by my book.

I encourage you to keep reading. You will find that I definitely do not support a hard line view. It was a hard line view based on one set of personal preferences, which were not scripturally based, that created a "controversial" environment. Jesus faced many controversial issues created by hard liners. They did not fair so well.

God bless, and again, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the book.

[dlehman]

I am reading it...may I ask are you a part of some organization?

I consider myself UPCI, though I am not licensed. I used to preach regularly, and had both a radio and jail ministry. My wife lead a silent praise team.

I hold a very respectful view of all our Oneness brothers and sisters, be they ALJC, PAW, or others. The last thing we should ever do in my opinion is to fight between us, but rather we should encourage one another to strive further, love truth, and truly love another.

For now, I am just writing. I am concentrating on another book called "The Multitude", a historic biblical fiction.

Thank you for reading! God bless.

[dlehman]

First of all, like you, I am not meaning to offend. I am just sharing my thoughts and feelings. I mean no disrespect to you or your book....

I have a question, not really a question I guess, a statement about the sentence on Page 4. It states that "This book is about a standard of holiness that predates every other standard."

I agree that beards are fine, but still don't see a "standard of holiness" for what is on the outside, unless we want to become pharisees. If God had "holiness standards for dress" then I think he would have CLEARLY outlined them like all the other important things for us to follow.

I think it is terrible that churches would preach against a beard and I think it would be terrible to preach that one is needed. Please pastors, preach what Jesus preached. HE is our authority. Don't play God and tell people about man made Heaven and hell issues.

If you want to preach standards that you feel are pleasing to God, fine. Be an example of Love as Jesus said and they will likely want to be like you. Just don't make heaven and hell issues out of them, because eventually someone is going to read the Bible without your personal interpretation and then they will not trust you and possible other Godly men and leave God altogether. :sad

To me, this is just another book that wants us to focus on something that Jesus did not focus on. HE knew the future, He knew all along that the Bible would be put together and He knew what books would be included etc.

I believe HE would have made sure the outward "standard of holiness" would have been clearly outlined so that WE would not end up in hell.

I love history and I think we can learn a lot from history. I do NOT think that I should do something to keep out of hell, nor do I think it pleases God, to do something just because "they did it back then." What pleases God are the things HE said pleases HIM, not what we make up that we think pleases Him from all our studies and personal interpretations.:nah

By the way, I did not end up reading it to the end word for word. Do you end up saying that Women should not shave their underarms or legs? If a woman has beard hair, is it okay for them to shave? Really curious, I am not being sarcastic.

Thank you for looking the book over, and I do encourage you to read it in depth. I do tackle some of these issues (even bearded ladies, though not naturally bearded ones, but I'll answer this at towards the end of the post.

I think a common problem many people have, not you but the sort of hard line approach, is that any violation or ignorance of holiness is damnation.

As I say in the book, I do not condemn preachers who over that past decades were clean shaven. If holiness is salvation, we are all doomed.

Holiness is a walk, a journey, the destination is in Christ Jesus, who perfected holiness. We will not be perfected until after this world has passed.

In Leviticus 19:2, the chapter is prefaced, and later quoted by the apostle Peter, that we should be holy for God is holy. God by His own signature to every part, lays out what that means to a fallen people. Of course, most these commands are outward, but the principles are inward. And that is grounded in loving God with all our heart.

Jesus was very concerned about the heart. Don't read this as being hard lined, but it is harder to look into the face of God when we spend at least five minutes a day primping ours. This is a tiny aspect of what the beard is about, and I don't even go into this much in the book, except to call it vanity.

When we care more about how we look to each other rather than how we act towards each other, how deeply we seek God with our heart, then we stray.

Even the greatest truth of the Oneness of God has not kept those who know it from straying from time to time. It is not in hardness we must do so, throwing fire and brimstone. We don't see Jesus rescuing the 1 sheep, bringing it back, and bar-b-queing it in front of the 99.

God loves us. Therefore, all holiness is done out of that ultimate parental love and protection. I don't let my son play with the stove, because he will be burned. Man has played with his body, and we have seen how it has burned us.

I believe in the ancient landmarks. Joshua's men placed twelve stones out of the river from where God stopped the waters, so that when the children asked their father's, "What are the meanings of these stones," they could answer, "This is where God parted the water and we entered into the promised land after 40 years in the wilderness."

When my son asks, "Dad, why do you have a beard," I will not answer him, "Because men who shave are going to hell." No, no, no. I will rather answer him, "This was placed by God to separate me from woman, because I am created in his image and am His glory."

And when he asks why his mother doesn't cut her hair, I will say, "Because God separates her from man, because she is my glory."

And like my son, I don't teach from a position of hate, fear, or condemnation. But rather, I want him to know a reason, a love, and a holiness, not simply some rule or dress code.

Knowledge is given by God for perfecting ourselves. And I say, let us approach holiness, not imagining, falsely, that any of us have achieved it.

As for bearded ladies, I think that women do naturally grow facial hair, but it is unlike male hair. Many women shave their armpits and legs. I won't speak where God is silent, but I would say that if a woman's appearance has become "manly", they should do what is necessary to maintain distinction of gender. I speak as a man, not from God's law, as Paul would say. Let me add that I would never tell a woman to shave anywhere, even her face. I do not find that authority given to me, or any man, by God.

God's overall problem with human physical vanity was not just mutilation, but high mindedness. I even say this to men who want to compete in beard length. The moment you are entering physical competition, you are losing the race. Our race is with ourselves, spiritually.

My goal of the book is to remove an ungodly roadblock, and replace a godly road sign that was in many places taken down. God did not lead me to this understanding to beat people with an iron rod, and so I would clearly be wrong for doing so as well.

I hope you will read the entire book and give me your honest opinion afterwards. As I say in the book, never fear questioning. If you can't back up a doctrine scripturally, then the thing you will fear is the questioning. I welcome all questions. (Though maybe not all debates, haha. I'm not much for arguments.)

Thank you for your post, and God bless!

[HopePreacher]

This is a good read well documented in scripture. Just a taste of legalism on the issue, but some would say I am legalistic on grace.

I just made a post on the thread about dropping dress standards and I think the same principle applies to facial hair. Once we set a standard we begin to judge others by that standard and we violate the principle of "thou shalt not judge."

[dlehman]

Thank you for the compliment. I often worried that I would get too technical and would lose readability.

I always remember when talking about judgement that it means that it comes with punishment. And so, to judge someone, like the woman caught in adultery was to the Pharisees to determine that she was worthy to be stoned. Jesus also judged, but not in the same sense. He told her to go and sin no more. He still recognised the sin, but not the punishment because He also recognised the sin of the crowd.

I like extreme analogies. I like them because they put just about everyone even remotely sane on the same playing field, hehe. If we take a person in the nude, we should all agree that in public, that is unacceptable behaviour. The question is our reaction.

Everyone will draw different lines. That's a whole series of sermons there, but there is one line we must recognise, and that is God's. But we also must remember that judgement (punishment) is reserved for God (not withstanding civil law, of course).

In the role of pastor, for instance, I personally would evaluate the dress of my leadership, and even the congregation. I can say, kindly even, no nudes. Everyone agrees with me. But when I start moving the line, you will find that eventually, you draw a line further than what someone else has drawn.

Even in this case, though, God helps us out. He actually defines nudity in many places. One that comes to mind (but the verse number I haven't memorized) is the baring of the thigh. Even the most liberal churches follow that line pretty well.

But when going with the extreme case of nudity, don't we all draw that line? We judge what clothing we purchase for ourselves, what clothing we wear to church, etc. Some judgement is good. Some is not.

I say, judgement that we deem for ourselves is not punishing. We judge nudity as wrong, and so we don't. We don't go nude any ways, but whip ourselves when we get back home. This should translate to how we should deal with other people.

Legalism is by definition when we attach punishment to some act. But we should be careful that we don't label all solid doctrinal teaching as legalism. As I said, I like extreme examples. I've preached in jails to men facing murder charges. I didn't have to tell them that murder was a hell fire sin, they knew it. But if they asked, I would tell them, if you don't have a godly sorrow driven repentance of that murder, you will go to hell.

But I didn't condemn any of them. I learned a valuable lesson in my time in the jail ministry. You can't save who you don't love. That's a hard hard lesson, and I still struggle with it. I've yet to meet the man or woman who doesn't.

I know saying the following will get me in hot water with some of you, but hear me out. I pray for Osama Bin Laden, that he is saved. "What?!?" I hear some screaming.

You know, Saul of Tarsus was a murdering persecutor of Christians. He killed them by the dozens, used God as his excuse, and he was one of the most feared men in early Christianity. But when he was converted, and became Paul... MAN! What a powerhouse he was for God then!

Imagine, dear brothers, if someone like Bin Laden were converted, turned himself in, and preached for Christ. Not one of you can tell me, if you let your imagination actually fathom this occurrence, that it would not be electrifying to watch God reach such a hated enemy of Christian nations.

And so I pray for his soul, brothers. I honestly pray for him. I judge his actions, but I also judged the actions of the murderers I preached to. But I do not simply condemn them. Don't we rightly judge his previous actions as completely unacceptable and a form of genocide? But does anyone here condemn Paul?

You who have not sinned, may cast the first stone. Call me naive, but I pray, brothers. I just pray.

Sorry for getting off topic, but I did want to let you know where my heart is. In a doctrinal book, it is easy to simply come across as legalist. That was never my intention, and I'm glad you didn't see me that way. Sound teaching makes for bold preaching. So many have been hurt by "bold" preachers who were not sound teachers, though, that often times it can make people timid to hear any truly sound doctrine.

God bless, and don't let your lines, which we all have and must have, interfere with your grace.

[SeekingOne]

I hope you will read the entire book and give me your honest opinion afterwards. As I say in the book, never fear questioning. If you can't back up a doctrine scripturally, then the thing you will fear is the questioning. I welcome all questions. (Though maybe not all debates, haha. I'm not much for arguments.)

Thank you for your post, and God bless!

Thank you and may God bless you too. :-)

[Justin]

Anyone still have a copy of this? The link is broken.

[dlehman]

Anyone still have a copy of this? The link is broken.

I have removed it out of respect. Having gone down the metaphorical rabbit hole of actually researching my book, finding few willing to examine scripture in real detail, and also finding that my own pastor who was steering me away from the topic was actually behaving in such a manner that resulted in his expulsion from the UPCI, I began questioning far more.

My book is still for sale on Cafepress, because I spent a significant portion of my life writing it. However, as I am no longer Apostolic, I removed the free version. I advise you to not read it. Once you start questioning anything, you will questioning everything. And you may not like what you learn.

Out of respect for all of you, I do not tell you what to think about your own religion, of which I am no longer a part of. I only post this one thread, and will not post again on this forum, again out of respect.

Listen to your leaders, if you wish to avoid conundrums. Such is the path of contentment. Peace and blessings to all of you.

Sincerely,
Reverend DeWayne Lehman
Seax-Wica High Priest

[seguidordejesus]

Little bit of a change there, dontcha think?

[Justin]

Little bit of a change there, dontcha think?

This is a prime example used by many in the UPCi who believe that if you "question" certain things you will begin to fall away, and eventually be lost.

D,

I hope you continue to seek Jesus, and not the tradition of men.

[Scott Hutchinson]

I will read it...however I am not thinking of growing one! ha....

That's ok I'm not thinking about shaving my legs.

[Sister Alvear]

See Brother Scott and I really get along...I don't have a beard and he is not shaving his legs...ha...

[Ev. Duane Williams]

The whole anti-beard thing is a 1960's anti-hippie thing dragged into the 21st century with no scriptural support whatsoever.

[jfrog]

I have removed it out of respect. Having gone down the metaphorical rabbit hole of actually researching my book, finding few willing to examine scripture in real detail, and also finding that my own pastor who was steering me away from the topic was actually behaving in such a manner that resulted in his expulsion from the UPCI, I began questioning far more.

My book is still for sale on Cafepress, because I spent a significant portion of my life writing it. However, as I am no longer Apostolic, I removed the free version. I advise you to not read it. Once you start questioning anything, you will questioning everything. And you may not like what you learn.

Out of respect for all of you, I do not tell you what to think about your own religion, of which I am no longer a part of. I only post this one thread, and will not post again on this forum, again out of respect.

Listen to your leaders, if you wish to avoid conundrums. Such is the path of contentment. Peace and blessings to all of you.

Sincerely,
Reverend DeWayne Lehman
Seax-Wica High Priest

Sad.

[mfblume]

Listen to your leaders, if you wish to avoid conundrums. Such is the path of contentment. Peace and blessings to all of you.

I cannot swallow that. Where are the Bereans who search the scriptures to see if things are so, rather than swallow everything someone tells them? Yes, we will avoid hassles if we just be quiet and accept what "elders" tell us, but a true elder will urge us to never accept anything from him unless we see it plainly in scripture, ourselves. The peace we get from not making waves is a false peace and only storing up trouble with God for another day.

[BeckyMaxfield]

I haven't read the book and I don't plan on it because I believe it is wrong for men to have a beard, I don't care how godly the beard is suppose to be. Doesn't it talk about being clean shaven? I feel like it still stands true in these days that we live in.

[seguidordejesus]

What is "it"? And if "it" is the Bible, then no ;)

[houston]

I haven't read the book and I don't plan on it because I believe it is wrong for men to have a beard, I don't care how godly the beard is suppose to be. Doesn't it talk about being clean shaven? I feel like it still stands true in these days that we live in.

No, the BIBLE does NOT "talk" about being clean shaven. Your pastor lied to you and you didn't bother to search for yourself.

[mfblume]

No, the BIBLE does NOT "talk" about being clean shaven. Your pastor lied to you and you didn't bother to search for yourself.

Right. Jesus had a beard, for goodness' sake!

[Monarchianism]

https://sales.pentecostalpublishing.com/productDetails.asp?guid=A0C3CBC6DD570EDBE044080020 B266CA&c=BOOK&pid=5855&sid=507&ptc=PPH123

http://www.onenesspentecostal.com/romans14.htm

Isn't God trying to bring His people into believing the same way?

[jediwill83]

wow.....

[kingdomapostle]

Sincerely,
Reverend DeWayne Lehman
Seax-Wica High Priest

DID I MISS SOMETHING HERE? WICAN??? JESUS CHRIST. Wow...did all of this come about because of doing research about a beard?

[acerrak]

I haven't read the book and I don't plan on it because I believe it is wrong for men to have a beard, I don't care how godly the beard is suppose to be. Doesn't it talk about being clean shaven? I feel like it still stands true in these days that we live in.


wow this is so sad. God gave man a beard so they wouldnt look like a woman...

Infact the Jews were to never trim their beards, quite the opposite of what you been taught.

[SRM]

Have not read it,but if you want a beard GROW ONE..just do not let it get all nappy and be careful eating soup

[MamaHen]

I haven't read the book, as I can't get the link to work. (Maybe no longer available?) But I believe that it is very biblical for a man to HAVE a beard. And that it is a-biblical for churches to ban them.

[acerrak]

has anyone read the book, i am looking for a review before i think about spending 4 bucks plus shipping and handeling

[Praxeas]

"The Godly Beard"...is that the name of a Pub?

[Praxeas]

I haven't read the book, as I can't get the link to work. (Maybe no longer available?) But I believe that it is very biblical for a man to HAVE a beard. And that it is a-biblical for churches to ban them.
I don't believe it's biblical for a man to HAVE a beard. I believe the bible is silent on the issue, so a man can grow a beard and be right in God's eyes or not grow a beard and still be right in God's eyes

[Praxeas]

I haven't read the book and I don't plan on it because I believe it is wrong for men to have a beard, I don't care how godly the beard is suppose to be. Doesn't it talk about being clean shaven? I feel like it still stands true in these days that we live in.
No, it does NOT talk about being clean shaven

Not in the law, which we are not under anyways, nor in the NT does it ever ever once say men should be clean shaven.

That is a lie pastors tell their congregations that the are sure aren't really reading their bibles anyways

[Aquila]

All this is an example of how the UPCI is trying to conform members into the orgs image and likeness, and not Christ's image and likeness.