More On Beards

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Captain

It’s been my experience that those who disagree with beards always give some example like hippies wore beards, or some gay guys wear beards or they’ll point out some weirdo at the workplace that happens to have a beard. This misses the point however, and misses it badly.

Every author of the Bible plus Jesus himself had a beard. Leviticus prescribed that men wear beards. When David’s diplomats had their beards shorn by the Ammonites they were humiliated to the point that David told them to remain in Jericho until their beards were grown back. The apostles did not shave their beards in their conversion from Judaism to the Christianity. And so on.

So there’s Bible for beards, but nothing against beards. The argument then against beards always relies on very narrow, anecdotal and usually outdated examples while completely ignoring actual scripture. But why this is important goes beyond some meaningless argument on the internet – it goes to how we are – or how we are not – reaching people in the world.

I hate long forum posts so I’ll keep this as short as possible, but straining at gnats while swallowing camels makes for a weak spiritual environment.

are you saying we can reach people more effectively when men don't wear beards?

[houston]

Originally Posted by Amanah

are you saying we can reach people more effectively when men don't wear beards?

No. It means that we waste time on things that don't matter.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

You are absolutely right, Jesus had a beard, was he a homosexual "bear"?

I'm sure someone somewhere thinks he was

[Aquila]

I've always liked this Charles Spurgeon quote:

[n david]

Originally Posted by Captain

It’s been my experience that those who disagree with beards always give some example like hippies wore beards, or some gay guys wear beards or they’ll point out some weirdo at the workplace that happens to have a beard. This misses the point however, and misses it badly.

The only reason I mentioned bears and gays liking beards is because the statement was made that a man who shaves looks "gay." Stupid.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've always liked this Charles Spurgeon quote:

Do you know the context of that quote?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by n david

Do you know the context of that quote?

This was what I could find:

When you have done preaching take care of your throat by never wrapping it up tightly. From personal experience I venture with some diffidence to give this piece of advice. If any of you possess delightfully warm woollen comforters, with which there may be associated the most tender remembrances of mother or sister, treasure them — treasure them in the bottom of your trunk, but do not expose them to any vulgar use by wrapping them round your necks. If any brother wants to die of influenza let him wear a warm scarf round his neck, and then one of these nights he will forget it, and catch such a cold as will last him the rest of his natural life.

You seldom see a sailor wrap his neck up. No, he always keeps it bare and exposed, and has a turn-down collar, and if he has a tie at all, it is but a small one loosely tied, so that the wind can blow all round his neck. In this philosophy I am a firm believer, having never deviated from it for these fourteen years, and having before that time been frequently troubled with colds, but very seldom since.

If you feel that you want something else, why, then grow your beards! A habit most natural, scriptural, manly, and beneficial. One of our brethren, now present, has for years found this of great service. He was compelled to leave England on account of the loss of his voice, but he has become as strong as Samson now that his locks are unshorn.

If your throats become affected consult a good physician, or if you cannot do this, give what attention you please to the following hint. Never purchase “Marsh-mallow Rock,” “Cough-no-more Lozenges,” “Pulmonic Wafers,” Horehound, Ipecacuanha, or any of the ten thousand emollient compounds. They may serve your turn for a time by removing present uneasiness, but they ruin the throat by their laxative qualities. If you wish to improve your throat take a good share of pepper — good Cayenne pepper, and other astringent substances, as much as your stomach can bear. (Lecture to My Students, lecture 8 "On the Voice")

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

This was what I could find:

When you have done preaching take care of your throat by never wrapping it up tightly. From personal experience I venture with some diffidence to give this piece of advice. If any of you possess delightfully warm woollen comforters, with which there may be associated the most tender remembrances of mother or sister, treasure them — treasure them in the bottom of your trunk, but do not expose them to any vulgar use by wrapping them round your necks. If any brother wants to die of influenza let him wear a warm scarf round his neck, and then one of these nights he will forget it, and catch such a cold as will last him the rest of his natural life.

You seldom see a sailor wrap his neck up. No, he always keeps it bare and exposed, and has a turn-down collar, and if he has a tie at all, it is but a small one loosely tied, so that the wind can blow all round his neck. In this philosophy I am a firm believer, having never deviated from it for these fourteen years, and having before that time been frequently troubled with colds, but very seldom since.

If you feel that you want something else, why, then grow your beards! A habit most natural, scriptural, manly, and beneficial. One of our brethren, now present, has for years found this of great service. He was compelled to leave England on account of the loss of his voice, but he has become as strong as Samson now that his locks are unshorn.

If your throats become affected consult a good physician, or if you cannot do this, give what attention you please to the following hint. Never purchase “Marsh-mallow Rock,” “Cough-no-more Lozenges,” “Pulmonic Wafers,” Horehound, Ipecacuanha, or any of the ten thousand emollient compounds. They may serve your turn for a time by removing present uneasiness, but they ruin the throat by their laxative qualities. If you wish to improve your throat take a good share of pepper — good Cayenne pepper, and other astringent substances, as much as your stomach can bear. (Lecture to My Students, lecture 8 "On the Voice")

Yes, it was instruction on how to care for your throat and voice, not an exegesis on scriptural authority for beards.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by n david

Yes, it was instruction on how to care for your throat and voice, not an exegesis on scriptural authority for beards.

Nevertheless, in the midst of this instruction, Spurgeon said that growing a beard was indeed, "A habit most natural, scriptural, manly, and beneficial."

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Nevertheless, in the midst of this instruction, Spurgeon said that growing a beard was indeed, "A habit most natural, scriptural, manly, and beneficial."

He also smoked cigars "to the glory of God," and drank alcohol.