Wooo Hoooo!!! A friend of mine sent me this email through some Yahoo UPC Pastor email group. The following is a "track" of sorts from the pastor to the men in his church that explains why it is wrong for a man to wear facial hair. I will not mention the pastor or the church or the state from which this is from. What are your thoughts?
What’s Wrong with Facial Hair?
The Setting of Standards
Standards of holiness are set through one or more of six different criteria: 1. The Word of God, 2. The Spirit of God, 3. The Man of God, 4. Tradition, 5. Culture, 6. The Individual
As we will see, the issue of a man allowing his facial hair to grow can be dealt with under no less than three of these six areas. We will examine each one separately.
The Setting of Standards
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (
1 Timothy 2:8-10).
When the Apostle Paul spoke of men in this passage, he simply said they were to lift up “holy hands.” He did not elaborate on what he meant by “holy.” However, as he continued to write, he addressed the women in more precise terms. He explained that they were to dress modestly, they should not “broid” their hair (which was NOT the same as “braiding,” but was a process of weaving coins and jewelry into the hair), they were not to wear gold, pearls, or other costly array. He also said they should adorn themselves with “shamefacedness.” That word literally means “bashfulness,” or “without pride or flirtation.” Thus, women who would be “shamefaced” would not have anything on their face that speaks of pride or flirtation. This has been one of the most powerful reasons the Apostolic movement has preached against makeup and other cosmetics.
What does this have to do with a man’s facial hair? Everything! Notice that when Paul began to address the women, he started by saying, “In like manner also.” He had just told the men to be holy in verse 8, and now tells the women that they are to be holy in the same manner. Therefore, a principle of holiness for one gender is also applicable to the other gender.
That being the case, if a woman is to be “shamefaced,” then a man must be as well. If a woman cannot have anything on her face that is based upon pride or flirtation, then neither can a man! It is my contention that in today’s society, the overwhelming majority of men who wear facial hair do it as a matter of pride or flirtation. While I recognize that such may not be the case for everyone, it is certainly the case for many. A man who wears a mustache or beard must ask himself what his real motives are for his facial hair.
The Man of God
“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend” (
1 Corinthians 8:13).
No true pastor wants to put burdens on his people that are unnecessary. However, neither does he want to be too lenient on those he loves. He must draw a line of boundary and distinction which will work for everyone in his congregation. It needs to be a line of safety which can be observed by all. He understands that, while one may have the “liberty” to do certain things, that same liberty may cause another to stumble. If a pastor allows one man to wear facial hair because it is not a matter of pride, he may very well be putting a stumbling block before a man who would be consumed by pride if he allowed his mustache or beard to grow.
Culture
“As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one … Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ (
1 Corinthians 8:4, 7-12).
A number of years ago, I heard an interview with John T. Molloy, the author of the book Dress for Success. He stated that there is a psychological stigma behind facial hair. In his opinion, people simply don’t trust anyone who wears a mustache or beard. He claimed that the underlying thought when someone sees a man with facial hair is, “What is he hiding behind that?”
While I cannot confirm his statement, I can say that if there is any possibility of it being true, why would an Apostolic want to take a chance? We should be willing to take whatever steps necessary to win everyone possible. If one person to whom we witness does not trust us just because of facial hair, wouldn’t it be better to shave it off and be able to more readily win them?
Paul knew that circumcision was not necessary for salvation, yet he circumcised Timothy in
Acts 16:3. Why? “Because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” While it was not a matter of salvation, it was beneficial to the propagation of the gospel.
I contend that facial hair falls into this same category -- it is beneficial to the propagation of the gospel to remain clean shaven.
A Matter of Obedience
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (
Hebrews 13:17).
The final -- and perhaps most important -- reason why members of ___________________ should not wear facial hair is that it is a matter of obedience to the pastor God has placed over this church. Your pastor spends many hours in prayer and study before deciding to set a standard which he expects his flock to follow. It is not a light matter to him, and should not be to you.
Because of the information included in this little brochure, your pastor has come to the conclusion that it is best for men to be clean shaven. No mustache, beard, or long sideburns (beyond the middle of the ear) will be permitted on the men who are in leadership at ____________. If nothing has convinced you to adhere to this standard,
Hebrews 13:17 alone should suffice. You should want to please your pastor through obedience and submission to his teachings. That way, your pastor will be able to present you to Christ with joy and not with grief.
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