To Beard or Not to Beard, That is The Question

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

When I wore a beard people would ask if I was a biker.

But you were...

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by TK Burk

But you were...

That's right.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by coksiw

I wasn't in California when the Hippies stuff, however, I have a question:

Aren't hippies/gang identified better by their clothing, jewelry, etc..? A decently modestly clean dressed beard man would like like a Hippie or a gang member?

I somewhat spoke about this when I wrote:

I do agree that there are circumstances where the leadership of a church can establish a standard not found in the Bible. An example would be preaching against wearing certain clothing or colors that could misidentify a saint as a member of a local gang. Wearing such things might hurt a saint’s testimony and possibly even endanger his or her life.

And...

In my almost 35 years in the UPCI, I’ve heard preaching against facial hair began as a way to separate apostolic men from their Hippie counterparts. I was born in 1962, and I remember what Hippies wore. That said, the clothing choices of each group should alone have made this distinction very clear…I mean, we are talking about the difference between wearing a tie and tie dye. But if that is the reason, who today would think a man with facial hair is a Hippie? I mean, any Hippie alive today is a Grandparent living on Social Security. So, surely this excuse against facial hair is no longer valid.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Did you assume any of the responsibility or take any of the blame of this young man backsliding?

We had a man who was used in many areas of the church who had a beard. His was grown to cover up an embarrassing skin problem on his face. He wanted to be sing in the choir but was told he could not unless he first shaved. He could not do it and eventually took his family out of the church. They're now backslidden and divorced. This guy volunteered his talent, which saved the church several thousand dollars. But his beard made him unusable for the choir. I never understood that.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Did you assume any of the responsibility or take any of the blame of this young man backsliding?

I had a man who read my study send me this comment. He said he left a church because it "had gotten so bad the Pastor was preaching facial hair was a sin and refusing to baptize men with any facial hair. It was preached it was the same as makeup and leprosy on a man’s face."

I know pastors who believe facial hair is not acceptable on their men, but I've never met one who would not baptize sinners until they shaved or one who compared facial hair to leprosy. Both of these are very extreme. I can't help but wonder if such a preacher would have blood on their hands.

[TK Burk]

Please explain the meaning of the following:

Originally Posted by hometown guy

The reason it’s still an issue is because there generally are deeper issues that such a simple standard can reveal.

How is a man growing facial hair a sign of he has "deeper issues"? Also, what do you mean by "issues"?

Originally Posted by hometown guy

I have taught many times against the wearing of facial hair when teaching on holiness on a good old bible study day at the church.

What verses do you use to teach your "good old Bible study" against the wearing of facial hair?

Originally Posted by hometown guy

I always let people know it’s a standard of the church and not biblical holiness. It’s a good standard and I will keep fighting to keep it.

How is it a "good standard of the church" while not related to "biblical holiness"?

Originally Posted by hometown guy

I have never condemned a church to hell over facial hair ( but generally when they allow it they have a whole lot more things in against) yet I’m going to keep it out of the local church including who we fellowship with.

If you don't condemn it, what is the basis you cite for preaching against it?

Originally Posted by hometown guy

It’s really a non issue for the most part. You all have more of a problem with our stand then we do lol.

After all you said, how is facial hair a "non issue"?

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Like I have put multiple times I doubt anyone has ever heard this over the pulpit. You all keep going to this yes I have posted this comment many times and not one of you have said “ yes I have heard it from a well respected man conservative preacher “

Here here

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by diakonos

Here here

Lol I really butchered that one. I should really proof read before I send.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by TK Burk

Please explain the meaning of the following:



How is a man growing facial hair a sign of he has "deeper issues"? Also, what do you mean by "issues"?



What verses do you use to teach your "good old Bible study" against the wearing of facial hair?



How is it a "good standard of the church" while not related to "biblical holiness"?



If you don't condemn it, what is the basis you cite for preaching against it?



After all you said, how is facial hair a "non issue"?

I never said it wasn’t related to biblical holiness. I teach it as separation. All what I said is I don’t teach it as biblical holiness issue but a standard of the church. Just like I preach about skinny jeans. There is not one scripture in the Bible that calls this a sin.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

I never said it wasn’t related to biblical holiness. I teach it as separation. All what I said is I don’t teach it as biblical holiness issue but a standard of the church. Just like I preach about skinny jeans. There is not one scripture in the Bible that calls this a sin.

Can you identify the Scriptures which teach the validity of "standards of the church" which are not found in Scripture? How are such standards decided upon? Where do they come from?

Also, can you explain the difference between "holiness" and "separation"?