More On Beards - Page 20

Aquila · #**191** 08-11-2017, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n david

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

No way! LOL

Captain · #**192** 08-11-2017, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n david

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

I wasn't specifically referring to your post. Some gay men are known for doing certain overtly masculine things as a way of compensating. Gay rodeo is a thing, amazingly enough.

And I don't think a shaven face looks gay or effeminate. There's some decent research on facial hair through the centuries and while there's no single pattern, shaving tends to become popular when a society has reached a point of relative advancement. The men are seeking to be more civilized and refined and a clean shaven face tends to follow. When society is in a growth mode - think America from 1840s to 1900 - beards tend to follow. It's a more independent attitude. The same kind of men that were eager to explore the frontier were also more apt to sport some whiskers. As the 20the century rolled in, the frontier was closing up, the industrial revolution was reaching an advanced stage, more men worked in factories and offices and in large corporations in general and we started shaving again to go along with a conformist, more domesticated zeitgeist.

Read some of the literature in the late 19th century. There was a wide spread concern about men being made soft by the fast pace of technological progress at the time. Everything from the NRA to the Boy Scouts to the "muscular Christianity" movement were all in that period and resulted from the effort to resist what they saw as the effeminate effects of modern society. Growing their beards was seen as a way to promote natural manliness.

Whether or not a beard is "wrong" for a Christian of course is the height of legalism. Not trying to throw stones but it's just such a subjective stance to take, especially considering the ubiquitous presence of beards in the Bible. My pastor does not teach against beards or facial hair but if a man is going to be on the platform he will be clean shaven and I'm ok with that.

n david · #**193** 08-11-2017, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain

My pastor does not teach against beards or facial hair but if a man is going to be on the platform he will be clean shaven and I'm ok with that.

Same where we attend.

Scott Pitta · #**194** 08-11-2017, 03:52 PM

Jesus died for our sins and probably sported a beard while doing so. But the rest of those in ministry need to be clean shaven ?

There is something to be said for having a Bible based theology.

Cultural rules are fine. But they are not Bible.

aegsm76 · #**195** 08-11-2017, 04:30 PM

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Amanah · #**196** 08-11-2017, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aegsm76

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

I'm not understanding how this relates to not wearing a beard.