More On Beards

[Aquila]

I've seen churches let down the dress standards and something strange happens... the preachers don't return to those passages that teach modesty as frequently as they used to. It's almost as though they don't know how to interpret those things outside of the "standards" they were taught back when they held those standards. Christian modesty is indeed a biblical practice. Even if a church ceases to require dresses and skirts on women, or allows men to wear short sleeves, it doesn't mean that now Daisy Dukes and muscle shirts are appropriate attire. Just because you allow shorts, it doesn't mean that Speedos are appropriate.

There has to be a spiritual balance to it all.

And when it comes to beards... there is absolutely no biblical basis for requiring them or prohibiting them. And some preachers might say, "Not on my platform.", well, that might not be the kind of preacher you want. Because the church isn't his, it's Christ's. And if Jesus had a problem with beards, the Bible would make it plain.

Most churches I visit don't make a big deal out of beards at all. But in Apostolic churches I'm often treated like a second class citizen and my salvation is questioned. Why? Because I'm a man? Because I'm growing what my Father naturally gave me? Doth not even nature teach you that only women and children don't have beards? LOL What gives?

This weekend a Methodist pastor who is a dear friend of mine paid for me to go on a non-denominational retreat known as The Walk to Emmaus. Beginning on Thursday night, myself and about 20 other men from various denominations will be shut into a church for prayer, discussion, life application teaching, confession, and healing. Oh, and there will be food. That's why I'm going. lol We'll be there until late Sunday evening. But I'm willing to wager that not a single person on this retreat will even really care if I have a beard. If it were an Apostolic church, I'd not even be invited.

[returnman]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've seen churches let down the dress standards and something strange happens... the preachers don't return to those passages that teach modesty as frequently as they used to. It's almost as though they don't know how to interpret those things outside of the "standards" they were taught back when they held those standards. Christian modesty is indeed a biblical practice. Even if a church ceases to require dresses and skirts on women, or allows men to wear short sleeves, it doesn't mean that now Daisy Dukes and muscle shirts are appropriate attire. Just because you allow shorts, it doesn't mean that Speedos are appropriate.

There has to be a spiritual balance to it all.

And when it comes to beards... there is absolutely no biblical basis for requiring them or prohibiting them. And some preachers might say, "Not on my platform.", well, that might not be the kind of preacher you want. Because the church isn't his, it's Christ's. And if Jesus had a problem with beards, the Bible would make it plain.

Most churches I visit don't make a big deal out of beards at all. But in Apostolic churches I'm often treated like a second class citizen and my salvation is questioned. Why? Because I'm a man? Because I'm growing what my Father naturally gave me? Doth not even nature teach you that only women and children don't have beards? LOL What gives?

This weekend a Methodist pastor who is a dear friend of mine paid for me to go on a non-denominational retreat known as The Walk to Emmaus. Beginning on Thursday night, myself and about 20 other men from various denominations will be shut into a church for prayer, discussion, life application teaching, confession, and healing. Oh, and there will be food. That's why I'm going. lol We'll be there until late Sunday evening. But I'm willing to wager that not a single person on this retreat will even really care if I have a beard. If it were an Apostolic church, I'd not even be invited.

It's a security set within cultural walls. Period. No pastor is ever going to admit that rather he will use his authority to exercise the enforcement of it.