[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by DAII

The laying on of hair

Someone wrote me about this new “doctrine.” Here are his words: “Brother Ensey, I am having a hard time understanding a new doctrine. I understand the teaching of laying on of hands, however, I do not understand the teaching of laying of female hair upon the sick. It seems strange and out of order.”

This is a new practice in some circles, not a new doctrine. Just because it is not mentioned in the Bible doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t or shouldn’t be done at all as an act of faith. However, to attach it to a passage like I Corinthians 11:10 and extrapolate such a theory from that verse would be wresting the Scriptures. Someone might say, “Well, I know a lady who laid her long hair on a sick person and they got better, so that must mean that Paul was trying to tell us that there is power in long hair to heal the sick.” That would be extreme eisegesis.

Surely everyone is aware that anecdotal testimony can be obtained to corroborate ANYTHING! Books could be filled with subjective testimonies that seem to confirm everything from capture by space aliens to having been to the fiery hell and back. When are we going to learn that we judge subjective experiences by the Word of truth, not the Word by someone’s experience and anecdotal testimony? I heard of a lady who was healed when she put her hands in a tub of water that had been labeled by an evangelist as “the pool of Bethesda.” Her simple faith was rewarded.

But don’t start bringing tubs of water into the church. It is unwise to build doctrines or theories on one-time miracles or experiences

http://jrenseyblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/

Personally, I think this is a reasonable response. Sometimes it isn't necessary to actually rip a person to shreds to make the point. This is direct and plain, and makes a little fun of the teaching without delving into personal mockery of the teacher.

I also agree with him that people can do odd things in faith, and God will respond. Where people err is taking anomalies and trying to turn them into general practice or doctrine. To say that one successful event of laying on of hair supports the rest of us taking up the practice is to say that we should all go around trying to cast shadows on people in the hospitals.