To Beard or Not to Beard, That is The Question

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Ehud

I am getting seriously confused in all of this. For those who are questioning "platform standards" -- whatever those might be in a given place -- are you saying that elders have no say in how the congregation operates? In other words, if they can't point to scripture, it can't be a rule?

We are only discussing beards. Beards were always considered a positive in scripture. There should have NEVER been a ban on them.

Hippies wore beards. Dont wear beards.

Hollywood actors and Wall Street robbers wear suits. Should we wear suits?

See the hypocrisy of it?

[Ehud]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

We are only discussing beards. Beards were always considered a positive in scripture. There should have NEVER been a ban on them.

Hippies wore beards. Dont wear beards.

Hollywood actors and Wall Street robbers wear suits. Should we wear suits?

See the hypocrisy of it?

First, it was not the ONLY thing being discussed. So you can save the bolded text for another time.

Second, yes, I don't agree with the logic. That serial killer was adopted, therefore adoption leads to serial killing. Bravo, you pointed out some flawed logic. I'll search the garage for a trophy to mail you.

Originally Posted by Esaias

The issue isnt the propriety of male facial hair, or lack thereof.


The issue is the extent of a man's authority over other men, and which paradigm of authority is to operate in the church: the secular paradigm? Or the Biblical?

Regardless of the reasoning behind "the ban," the question I have asked is in the same vein as Bro. Esaias' question: does local leadership have the right to run their operation as they please or is a Biblical mandate necessary? Is that really such a tangent from the last dozen pages that it can't be answered here?

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Ehud

Regardless of the reasoning behind "the ban," the question I have asked is in the same vein as Bro. Esaias' question: does local leadership have the right to run their operation as they please or is a Biblical mandate necessary? Is that really such a tangent from the last dozen pages that it can't be answered here?

This verse: [Heb 13:17 NASB] 17 Obey your leaders and submit [to them,] for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

The greek word "Obey" here is not the same "obey" used for "children obey your parents". The greek word on Heb 13:17 means "be persuaded" literally. In other words, let your overseers persuade you, or just "listen to them". However persuading comes with an expectation that you must bring reasonable arguments to convince the listeners. You can't just say "put your cloth in the hamper because I say so" as you do with your kids.

The greek word "submit" in there is used only once in the NT and it is in there, and it means to submit in a context of a combat, like in "to put your guns down and surrender". The way I see it there is to not fight back to the elders with your own ideas or methods dividing the Church. You know when people disagree, you have two reactions: you let it go and shrug, or you fight back and start a campaign against the ideas or methods you disagree with.

[Ehud]

Originally Posted by coksiw

...

The greek word "submit" in there is used only once in the NT and it is in there, and it means to submit in a context of a combat, like in "to put your guns down and surrender". The way I see it there is to not fight back to the elders with your own ideas or methods dividing the Church. You know when people disagree, you have two reactions: you let it go and shrug, or you fight back and start a campaign against the ideas or methods you disagree with.

So wouldn't this include a beard prohibition?

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Thank you very much for the response, by the way. I appreciate it.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Ehud

So wouldn't this include a beard prohibition?

=====================

Thank you very much for the response, by the way. I appreciate it.

Beard prohibition as a way of living is not convincing to begin with; however if my Church teaches it, I may roll my eyes or just look for another church, but I won't definitely arm myself and combat against the elders.

[Ehud]

Originally Posted by coksiw

Beard prohibition as a way of living is not convincing to begin with; however if my Church teaches it, I may roll my eyes or just look for another church, but I won't definitely arm myself and combat against the elders.

Absolutely

[JamesGlen]

Enough said...

[jediwill83]

Originally Posted by coksiw

Beard prohibition as a way of living is not convincing to begin with; however if my Church teaches it, I may roll my eyes or just look for another church, but I won't definitely arm myself and combat against the elders.

They'd better be careful. Its said that Chuck Norris hides a third fist in his beard.

[n david]

Originally Posted by jediwill83

They'd better be careful. Its said that Chuck Norris hides a third fist in his beard.