JR Ensey Chimes in on Hair Laying: Dec. 2010

[DAII]

Originally Posted by Justin

No. My Pastor invited me to a round table meeting with a few ministers in Michigan this past summer with Bro. Bernard.

Bernard said that one of the benefits of joining the UPCi was accountability. When I asked him what he was going to do about a popular UPCi evangelist misquoting numerous quotes to teach an unbiblical doctrine (http://apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=30801), he suggested either sitting him down for a round table discussion, or leaving it be; because minsters will "catch on" to this false teaching and choose not to bring this evangelist back, thus snuffing out this teaching.

So to answer your question, no one.

This hasnt happened has it? So when does the leader lead?

All he has done thus far is say that the practice is legitimate under certain conditions:

http://holymagichair.com/wordpress/?p=265

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I think it's a slim minority that believes in the holy magic. Most who don't cut their hair simply believe it's the best way to achieve the "long hair" of Cor 11.

I guess I disagree.

Even those who laugh at "Holy Magic Hair" I later find out believe something pretty similar. But because of how comical "Magic Hair" sounds, of course they don't believe that. But their concept of "glory" and "power" in the woman's hair is nevertheless the same.

Ideas have implications. Believing uncut hair as a biblical mandate creates tensions similar to what AQP posted. But most don't just stop there: the woman's uncut, long, flowing hair is her glory and a way to find this mystical authority in God. See how convoluted a mess we can make with this chapter?

I think you know and are aware that it's not as tidy and simplistic as you stated.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Doesn't our power come from the Holy Ghost?

And ultimately from Jesus, who gave us His Spirit.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Doesn't this idea negate the fact that Jesus was beaten and scourged? And by His stripes we are healed? So if women let down their hair they summon angels?

Or the fact that the prerogative to intercede and heal us is God's own and is in his power exclusively?

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

go read Is. 53...the answer for healing is found in this chapter...then James told us to call for the elders of the church...anoint with oil and lay on hands...NOT HAIR...

Isa 53 may implicitly include physical, bodily healing (because the fall was catastrophic even down to the smallest molecular level), but what's in view in the Messianic prophecy is our position restored with God, and a solution for us to live outside of death.

I may be a minority, but I do not understand healing to be part of the atonement. I understand healing to be God's own prerogative. As much as all the church is able to function in the "gift of healing," which was only possible because of Jesus, then that by implication is a reality because of the atonement, but aside from that there is no spiritual significance IMO.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by DAII

Overall, kudos to Ensey for speaking out against this.

To say this is simply "wrestling with Scripture" is akin to playing pattycake from a typically hard hitter.

DA:

I don't believe "wresting" was a typo.

wrest   

–verb (used with object)
1. to twist or turn; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist.
2. to take away by force: to wrest a knife from a child.
3. to get by effort: to wrest a living from the soil.
4. to twist or turn from the proper course, application, use, meaning, or the like; wrench.

--http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wresting

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by DAII

The laying on of hair

Someone wrote me about this new “doctrine.” Here are his words: “Brother Ensey, I am having a hard time understanding a new doctrine. I understand the teaching of laying on of hands, however, I do not understand the teaching of laying of female hair upon the sick. It seems strange and out of order.”

This is a new practice in some circles, not a new doctrine. Just because it is not mentioned in the Bible doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t or shouldn’t be done at all as an act of faith. However, to attach it to a passage like I Corinthians 11:10 and extrapolate such a theory from that verse would be wresting the Scriptures. Someone might say, “Well, I know a lady who laid her long hair on a sick person and they got better, so that must mean that Paul was trying to tell us that there is power in long hair to heal the sick.” That would be extreme eisegesis.

Surely everyone is aware that anecdotal testimony can be obtained to corroborate ANYTHING! Books could be filled with subjective testimonies that seem to confirm everything from capture by space aliens to having been to the fiery hell and back. When are we going to learn that we judge subjective experiences by the Word of truth, not the Word by someone’s experience and anecdotal testimony? I heard of a lady who was healed when she put her hands in a tub of water that had been labeled by an evangelist as “the pool of Bethesda.” Her simple faith was rewarded.

But don’t start bringing tubs of water into the church. It is unwise to build doctrines or theories on one-time miracles or experiences

http://jrenseyblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/

Personally, I think this is a reasonable response. Sometimes it isn't necessary to actually rip a person to shreds to make the point. This is direct and plain, and makes a little fun of the teaching without delving into personal mockery of the teacher.

I also agree with him that people can do odd things in faith, and God will respond. Where people err is taking anomalies and trying to turn them into general practice or doctrine. To say that one successful event of laying on of hair supports the rest of us taking up the practice is to say that we should all go around trying to cast shadows on people in the hospitals.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

DA:

I don't believe "wresting" was a typo.

wrest   

–verb (used with object)
1. to twist or turn; pull, jerk, or force by a violent twist.
2. to take away by force: to wrest a knife from a child.
3. to get by effort: to wrest a living from the soil.
4. to twist or turn from the proper course, application, use, meaning, or the like; wrench.

--http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wresting

Duly noted.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Justin

No. My Pastor invited me to a round table meeting with a few ministers in Michigan this past summer with Bro. Bernard.

Bernard said that one of the benefits of joining the UPCi was accountability. When I asked him what he was going to do about a popular UPCi evangelist misquoting numerous quotes to teach an unbiblical doctrine (http://apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=30801), he suggested either sitting him down for a round table discussion, or leaving it be; because minsters will "catch on" to this false teaching and choose not to bring this evangelist back, thus snuffing out this teaching.

So to answer your question, no one.

Accountability? Among church folks?

IMHO, with all honesty, how many of us on this forum can say that we have a pastor / bishop (or whatever) that is over us and would forfeit our personal beliefs / convictions and obey to the contrary of what we feel inside.

I for one feel the whole accountability thing has only been kept in principle. I have meet a lot of folks with off bible fluctuations and they teach it with a passion everywhere, some too liberal and some too strict.

I think if we dug into this we would find that we opened a huge can of worms.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by DAII

This hasnt happened has it? So when does the leader lead?

All he has done thus far is say that the practice is legitimate under certain conditions:

http://holymagichair.com/wordpress/?p=265

Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but from the link above, it seems Segraves also agrees with Bernard.

Bernard:
"There have been reports of women letting down their long hair as part of making a specific, urgent prayer request. If the idea was to obligate God to answer prayer or to create a new method of praying, then this action was misguided. If instead it was a spontaneous act to confirm their consecration, then it could have been a legitimate means of expressing and focusing faith."

Segraves:
"If it were not for the current abuse of I Corinthians 11:10, I might agree to the legitimacy of a woman letting down her hair to confirm her consecration, although God certainly knows of her consecration no matter how her hair is arranged."