How Christians View Other Christians

[good samaritan]

Beards are not wrong nor do they offend me, but because of the assumption by many in American culture that it is wrong I wonder why Christians choose to wear them. I know some baptists that frown on men wearing facial hair. I know that most of the people that are making a stink over such issues are probably not where they need to be, but for the sake of living a life above reproach I would opt out of wearing a beard. even though I hate having to shave.

[good samaritan]

There are a lot of things that we need to start using sense about. Even if something may be scripturally permissive, we should ask how will it effect the ministry that God has called us to. I believe that Timothy was unnecessarily circumcised as an adult (ouch!) for the sake of ministry among the Jews. These cultural norms vary probably from place to place, but we should seek to be a witness in the place God has called us.

P.S. We should stop judging others on matters that go beyond the scripture.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Beards are not wrong nor do they offend me, but because of the assumption by many in American culture that it is wrong I wonder why Christians choose to wear them. I know some baptists that frown on men wearing facial hair. I know that most of the people that are making a stink over such issues are probably not where they need to be, but for the sake of living a life above reproach I would opt out of wearing a beard. even though I hate having to shave.

Im sorry you feel this way. Not just because I wear a beard. But because it shows that men are content with their OWN doctrines.

Example. Apostolics teach if a woman wears pants she is committing sin and some if not MOST teach they will go to Gehenna fire for all eternity!

They base it on this:

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Duet 22:5

And YET when it comes to beards:

27Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

They act as if it means NOTHING.

Are they consistent? The same Old Testament which forbids woman wearing mens apparel forbids men cutting their beard.

Are they hypocrites? Apparently so. NOTHING in the commandments of YHWH speaks of men cutting their beards but THE OPPOSITE!

Now lets go deeper. They use the excuse "many" in the culture think beards are wrong by associating them lets say with "hippies".

OK with that in mind how about the wearing of suits? Do not politicians wear suits? Do not CIA wear suits? Do not Mafiosa wear suits? Do not Wall street tycoons wear suits? Do not corrupt buisnessmen wear suits?

Where is the outcry therefore among "Apostolics" about their members wearing suits! Nay but rather they frown upon them for NOT wearing them!

Are they not also "costly array"? Something we are warned about?

Are you getting the point? To me it is pathetic when I hear "Apostolics" preaching about how the Trins follow "traditions". They themselves walk in their own and force others to do the same.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Beards are not wrong nor do they offend me, but because of the assumption by many in American culture that it is wrong I wonder why Christians choose to wear them. I know some baptists that frown on men wearing facial hair. I know that most of the people that are making a stink over such issues are probably not where they need to be, but for the sake of living a life above reproach I would opt out of wearing a beard. even though I hate having to shave.

Something that you KNOW? Men who want to wear a beard are not where they SHOULD BE? Does the Bible say that? Were the Apostles NOT where they should have been? What about Jesus himself?

Can you give an example of someone who claims to be spirit filled and has a beard who isnt where he SHOULD BE?

If you can I would not be shocked in this last and evil day. But then I would be able to show you a HUNDRED who are clean shaven who are not where THEY SHOULD BE!

Where is it we SHOULD BE?

Should we according to the OT teach women are sinning for putting on mens clothes? If so why should we NOT teach its wrong for men to cut their beards?

Isnt where we SHOULD BE keeping the commandments of Jesus out of a pure heart?

How would NOT wearing a beard make one without reproach? That in itself is saying it is a reproach for men to do something YHWH commands them TO DO.

Doesnt this kind of show where "Apostolics" are?

[Esaias]

Nobody thinks "beards = hippies" except certain varieties of older Christians and the people in their churches. The "world" does not associate beards with hippies. I have yet to meet anyone outside of a church setting who thoughts beards were WRONG.

Many businesses require male employees to be clean shaven, for a variety of reasons. None of which have anything to do with hippies, drugs, commies, radicals, anarchists, bomb-throwers, anti-americanism, or any such things.

There is no worldliness in having a beard. It's religious people who have a problem with beards, only. Only religious people ASSUME a man with a beard is backslidden or unspiritual. Is this not unrighteous judgment?

If Christ and the prophets had beards, how is it possible that GOD DOESN'T LIKE BEARDS?

And if God approves but man does not, too bad for man.

There is NO BIBLE for men being clean shaven except as a mark of shame and effeminacy. That's a FACT. That's BIBLE.

Now, having said all that, we ALL better figure out how to walk in love, preferring one another above ourselves, or we'll certainly burn.

[good samaritan]

Men who want to wear a beard are not where they SHOULD BE?

I am sorry for not communicating well enough. I meant that people who make beards an issue are probably not where they should be. I still would rather not wear one than to offend some of the elders in are local assembly.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Im sorry you feel this way. Not just because I wear a beard. But because it shows that men are content with their OWN doctrines.

Example. Apostolics teach if a woman wears pants she is committing sin and some if not MOST teach they will go to Gehenna fire for all eternity!

They base it on this:

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Duet 22:5

And YET when it comes to beards:


27Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

They act as if it means NOTHING.

Are they consistent? The same Old Testament which forbids woman wearing mens apparel forbids men cutting their beard.

Are they hypocrites? Apparently so. NOTHING in the commandments of YHWH speaks of men cutting their beards but THE OPPOSITE!

Now lets go deeper. They use the excuse "many" in the culture think beards are wrong by associating them lets say with "hippies".

OK with that in mind how about the wearing of suits? Do not politicians wear suits? Do not CIA wear suits? Do not Mafiosa wear suits? Do not Wall street tycoons wear suits? Do not corrupt buisnessmen wear suits?

Where is the outcry therefore among "Apostolics" about their members wearing suits! Nay but rather they frown upon them for NOT wearing them!

Are they not also "costly array"? Something we are warned about?

Are you getting the point? To me it is pathetic when I hear "Apostolics" preaching about how the Trins follow "traditions". They themselves walk in their own and force others to do the same.

The fact is that one is mentioned to be an abomination and the other isn't. I really don't believe that ladies wearing pants of itself is a sin. There are other elements of modesty and things that are non negotiable for me though. I think gender distinction goes much deeper than pants and skirts.

P.S. I agree with your logic

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I am sorry for not communicating well enough. I meant that people who make beards an issue are probably not where they should be. I still would rather not wear one than to offend some of the elders in are local assembly.

Hey bro this is not personal toward you ok? Nonetheless why would it be wrong to make an issue out of something that we both see is hypocrisy among us? Why assume that the person who is trying to open the eyes of the misguided flock has something wrong in their life?

I might look at it like those who teach and believe traditions of men over Gods word are not where they should be?

Best I can tell there is one standard for a Christian and one only.

Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect. Matt 5:48

All of us should be giving ourselves unto this end.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

The fact is that one is mentioned to be an abomination and the other isn't. I really don't believe that ladies wearing pants of itself is a sin. There are other elements of modesty and things that are non negotiable for me though. I think gender distinction goes much deeper than pants and skirts.

P.S. I agree with your logic

So if something is not called an abomination does that make it ok? If God commanded something in the OT but did not say it was an abomination if you did not obey is it ok NOT to obey?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Nobody thinks "beards = hippies" except certain varieties of older Christians and the people in their churches. The "world" does not associate beards with hippies. I have yet to meet anyone outside of a church setting who thoughts beards were WRONG.

Many businesses require male employees to be clean shaven, for a variety of reasons. None of which have anything to do with hippies, drugs, commies, radicals, anarchists, bomb-throwers, anti-americanism, or any such things.

There is no worldliness in having a beard. It's religious people who have a problem with beards, only. Only religious people ASSUME a man with a beard is backslidden or unspiritual. Is this not unrighteous judgment?

If Christ and the prophets had beards, how is it possible that GOD DOESN'T LIKE BEARDS?

And if God approves but man does not, too bad for man.

There is NO BIBLE for men being clean shaven except as a mark of shame and effeminacy. That's a FACT. That's BIBLE.

Now, having said all that, we ALL better figure out how to walk in love, preferring one another above ourselves, or we'll certainly burn.

Clear and concise!