To Beard or Not to Beard, That is The Question

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

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

I wonder if you already looked like a biker without the beard

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

https://tkburk.com/facial-hair-on-men/

Very good article.

[n david]

Originally Posted by coksiw

Are you a gang member?

Growing up, there was a bearded guy from another UPC church in my city who rode a Harley and was a member of some "Heaven's Angels" MC. Had a leather vest and patch, too.

I remember once he shaved his beard. Thankfully he grew it back right away. Dude had this weird, tiny chin.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Funny growing up I played high school baseball. One of the requirements was to be clean shaven. Don’t shave your off the team. Nobody questioned it we all shaved. The only reasoning we ever got was to look as clean as possible on the field. Not one time did anyone ever quit for it to my knowledge. Another time I had young man in the youth group that wanted to be used. I told him he needed to shave if he wanted to be used. He didn’t agree didn’t shave and eventually backslid. Ran into him one day at McDonald’s where he recently got a job. Clean shaven. I said “ oh you shaved “ and he said “ yah it’s a requirement here to work “. Funny people only balk at standards in the church. Not one person have I ever heard preached it using “ chapter “ and “ vs “ but only as a standard. I think it’s still a good standard.

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

[n david]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Another time I had young man in the youth group that wanted to be used. I told him he needed to shave if he wanted to be used. He didn’t agree didn’t shave and eventually backslid.

First, it's sad that this dumb beard prohibition has kept good, Godly people from being used in ministry. Second, "eventually backslid" makes me question the time frame and other factors.

Originally Posted by votivesoul

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

Doubtful. The prohibition is holy and not to be questioned, therefore the application of the prohibition is without blame.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by n david

Growing up, there was a bearded guy from another UPC church in my city who rode a Harley and was a member of some "Heaven's Angels" MC. Had a leather vest and patch, too.

I remember once he shaved his beard. Thankfully he grew it back right away. Dude had this weird, tiny chin.

[Evang.Benincasa]

In defense of hometown guy, my story goes like this, an elder brother asked me to shave. I agreed, I shaved off my fu man chu, and my beard. After awhile (long while) I started growing it all back. I did this because I saw zero prohibition in the scripture. So, my dear elder brother and I went round and round over the issue. Then he said something that clicked with me. He told me, Brother Dom, would you shave it off for me? Immediately, I said yes, and saved it off and never grew one again. I said all that to say this, my brother asked me to do something that was easy. It wasn’t like he asked me to cut off a finger, or chew broken glass. Or empty out my bank account into his. I complied because prior to being in the Apostolic Church to be involved in a club, or any crew you gave up somethings, or gave over somethings. I love the Apostolic church, and it’s people. With all their warts and bruises. So, taking a razor and shaving my self from this untoward generation was easy.

[n david]

Originally Posted by coksiw

Nailed it!

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

In defense of hometown guy, my story goes like this, an elder brother asked me to shave. I agreed, I shaved off my fu man chu, and my beard. After awhile (long while) I started growing it all back. I did this because I saw zero prohibition in the scripture. So, my dear elder brother and I went round and round over the issue. Then he said something that clicked with me. He told me, Brother Dom, would you shave it off for me? Immediately, I said yes, and saved it off and never grew one again. I said all that to say this, my brother asked me to do something that was easy. It wasn’t like he asked me to cut off a finger, or chew broken glass. Or empty out my bank account into his. I complied because prior to being in the Apostolic Church to be involved in a club, or any crew you gave up somethings, or gave over somethings. I love the Apostolic church, and it’s people. With all their warts and bruises. So, taking a razor and shaving my self from this untoward generation was easy.

I shave also because I want to obey my church rules when serving during the service. That being said, I haven't been told that I'm disobeying God with a spirit of rebellion if I don't shave during the week, or the like. It is more like a Church rule as an organization, as you may have at work as well. It is not taught as a "holiness" standard, and preached with threats over the pulpit.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

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

No I didn’t. Had nothing to do with that situation why he left.