Let's see what 'Spiritual Wisdom' we really have Available...

[Blubayou]

I have a little experience in this area, having had long hair for 36 years. Several years ago, I caught my hair on fire - its a long story- while vacuuming my house. My pastor gave the analogy of "cleaning up after a disaster" when he was consulted about how to handle the situation. I guess you could say my hair has been a "disaster" more than once!

[NLYP]

Bro Doug,
I have taken the last few days and pondered your question about the dear lady in your church with the matted hair problem.
I have found controversy in my own heart about this and I will share what I think. NOW PLEASE hear me well. I am not here to sway or make fun of any mans convictions on hair. IF you are for no cutting or trimming or whatever...GREAT I respect you!

Having said that here goes...
I have met many men in our organization that hold a strong position on hair. Some even to the point where cutting it would be a heaven or hell issue. IF you or this dear sister agree with that type of thinking then you have a MAJOR problem. Things that are truly heaven or hell would be equivolent to the very act of sin. So having said that, it would imply that you would believe that cutting or trimming this ladys hair would be a "sin".
The problem I see with this is since when would "sin" be ok if it is required to do because of a medical condition?
If that were true, one could say that abortion or murder would be justified in the case of the health of the mother or a result of rape.

Where the problem in a situation like this lies in in the thinking of the whole hair issue...is it a salvational madate...a principle or a traditional custom?

IF one holds to the salvational importance of uncut hair then in NO way would this lady be allowed to cut out the tangles for the purpose of her eternal reward.
If an exception like that is made with the thinking of salvational precedednce, then you out yourself into the position of saying that slavational issues can be overlooked in the time of medical or physical needs.
Example....an invalid that cannot leave his wheelchair or bed to get into the water for baptism.

This is one of the dilemas I see with making holiness standards salvational mandates.

#2,
If you hold that it is a principle then I can see room for a priciple to be understood, yet have the ability to "bend" in cases like this. Because it is not an issue that would damage hersalvational position, it would just be a question of the heart that would say.....God I love you and I love the principles of your word....but I need to start over with my hair because of my circumstances. NOT ONLY would God hear that cry, but I believe he would honor it as well.

#3,
If it is a traditional custom.....Cut it off and start over.

I hope you see my point. We need to be SOOOO careful what we put under the label of "salvational" or "heaven or hell" because it sets us up for situations like this where we are FORCED to stand and say....sorry sis its sin, you will have to just deal the cards you have been given....or realize that these things are NOT sin and are let the lady feel in her heart what her realtionship with a merciful God would dictate.

I a love long hair......BUT I would NEVER teach or preach it to the level of Acts 2:38.

I would, if I were in your shoes, take this dear saint of God aside and tell her that God understands and it will be ok to out the "temple" back in order again.

I think I saw somebody say that they should cut it and hide it in a way that nobody knows.

HOGWASH!
Thats basically saying...we really dont approve of the sin so lets hide it.
Baloney....God is merciful and we should be as well.

My Brothers I love you all dearly.
Lets fight the fight together!

just my thoughts from my heart..

Bro. Dan

[Carpenter]

Actually, I am astonished at the the difficulty in this situation. Maybe this means I don't have a true appreciation of corporate convictions. I just question the disconnect when convictions seem to transcend the Word of God.

It appears to me, considering the letter of the law (because as we know, the spirit of the law is to misinterpret scripture), then she should not cut her hair for any reason. Paul had HIS thorn and we all have a cross to bear...yada yada yada...

A pastor giving her the OK, smacks of moral relativism. How is it that a pastor with a stroke of a pen, can seem to contradict a cornerstone of his ministry?

Unfortunately this has put this poor dear in an untenable situation. Essentially, the preacher put her there, now he is doing his best to try and get her out? Is there no personal conviction?

This to me is kind of like straining at a gnat.

...and it probably wasn't helpful to anyone.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

This probably doesn't meet the "Spirtual Wisdom" test, but when Jesus was confronted for breaking the Sabbath, He used an analogy of an ox falling in the ditch on the Sabbath to show that, in certain situations it would be acceptable to "break the Sabbath".

I think this is a great answer.

I think it all goes back to motive. What is her motive. Obvisously, it is not about rebellion, but need.

My niece had long thick hair when she was about 12 or 13 and she let a huge ball of hair ball up in the back. It took me forever to get it out. My hair hurt before I was finished.

I called my SIL that was a beautician and she told me to use oil to get it loose and I did. Then it was just as much of a problem trying to get the oil out!

I think at this point her only choice is cut the ball out. She can leave the rest long if she is more comfortable with it like that.

Steadfast, I believe you are a man of wisdom and know what to tell her.

[whollyHis]

Reading through this thread has given me a 'pause' in my thinking...when I first read the initial post, my reaction was "Duh, cut the knot out." But, then I had to re-examine my beliefism. If indeed, I believed that uncut hair was a salvation issue, why would I be so quick to condemn this dear lady to a sure eternity in hell?? For there is no room for sin in that city. There will be no sin stains there...As some have stated so well, before me, do we 'wink' at salvational issues because of convenience sake?

I have a lot to pray about concerning this issue, I see.

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by whollyHis

Reading through this thread has given me a 'pause' in my thinking...
I have a lot to pray about concerning this issue, I see.[/SIZE]

You know, the first and last sentence are somethings that I haven't seen very often during the time any of our forums have been in existence.

If there is a single defining comment or statement that could describe why I am here, it is this. To challenge folks, including myself to pray more concerning certain issues. This is why I am so adamant to challenge the religious culture, the church, the status quo, and even ministerial principals, to make sure that I can admit forthwith that I am constantly in communion with the Lord in order to define these difficult situations and issues.

Do I have it all figured out...do any of us have it all figured out? No, and I would seriously question if anyone thinks they do...in fact, let me at em'!

I think this is something outstanding to admit.

Thank you Wholly His!

[Newman]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Keith,

I do appreciate your reasoning on this one. Her biggest problem at this point is beating herself up. I do find, however, the 'submission' element of your post to be most interesting and an angle I can offer her in that she is STILL wholeheartedly submitted to her convictions, her Pastor and the voice of God.

If anything the need to remove the knot has made her more submissive... and that, itself, gives me some 'balm' to ease her conscience.

Ease her conscience? That which isn't done of faith is sin.

It really doesn't matter if the issue is heaven or hell so long as she thinks it is. And why does she think it? Because of the Word of God or the word of her beloved minister? Maybe that is the heart of the issue (and what is most troubling).

There was a point where the brass? snake was of help to the Isrealites faith for healing and later a time where it was counter productive to their relationship with God. Maybe we have reached such a place with the uncut hair doctrine.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Newman

There was a point where the brass? snake was of help to the Isrealites faith for healing and later a time where it was counter productive to their relationship with God. Maybe we have reached such a place with the uncut hair doctrine.

MAYBE?

[Falla39]

Just some thoughts:

What if this situation had been life threatening!

What if 5 specilists had given up on her!

Where would we have turned!

Did not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob make a way for the Israelites when they were fenced in with the Red Sea

in front of them and the Egyptian armies behind them. God opened up a way where there was no way. I personally have

seen Him do it many times. One thing I so appreciate is hearing the many experiences of my paternal grandparents, my parents

and many others that have greatly influenced my life. I also have my own personal testimonies of how God took care of us, growing

up in a large family of eleven children. Dad and Mom trusted God for everything and HE NEVER let them down. Perhaps in these days

of conveniences and prosperity, many have never felt the need to have to trust God.

If we never trust God (exercise our faith for small things) chances are we won't have the faith when

bigger tests come. Just as the members of our physical body need to be exercised, we need to exercise our faith,

our trust in God, our confidence that HE IS ABLE to do ex-ceeding abundantly above what we can think or ask, according

to the power (Holy Ghost) that worketh in us.. Faith in His WORD!!

May our Great and Mighty God give wisdom and deliver her out of this situation, in Jesus Name!!! Thank YOU, JESUS for that YOU will

do for this precious lady!!!

Falla39

[ManOfWord]

Just for clarification here: We are talking about HAIR. This is not a tumor. This is not an aneurism. This is not a broken bone. This is not a life threatening situation.

It's HAIR. It's like a fingernail, eyebrow etc. What would cause this precious saint of God to endure so much grief over a "clump" of HAIR. Something she had nothing to do with. The scripture does not link HAIR length with sin.

If THIS is the kind of security that our movement has produced, then I fear for its continued existence as a source of hope.