Protestant history of head covering vis a vis 1 Cor 11:5

[WarEagle4130]

The subject of head covering came up the other day on CAL, and it got me thinking about the history of this practice in non-Catholic Christian churches. According to this link (Wikipedia “grain of salt” warning), even some of the reformer’s wives practiced it:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_headcovering

Does anyone know if it was ever required in Protestant churches, like it was in the Catholic church, and if so, when did that requirement get overturned (I know when it happened in the Catholic church). Seems like a pretty interesting test case for the “Bible only” claims, in that the Bible seems to clearly mandate it, and if your church does not have the authority to bind and loose, then they can’t change that mandate, right?

 

[Publisher]

Among the Peace Churches, “head coverings” were common place. Mennonites, Brethren and Friends employed head coverings for the women. I’ve attended many Mennonite groups…and a Brethren in Christ church for my internship when I was younger. My wife was asked to use the “prayer cap”. It was considered proper decorum for women to cover their heads.

As in Catholic churches the “prayer cap” is now optional among many of the Peace Churches…mostly the older women cover their heads…there has been a resurgence in some Mennonite and Brethren circles and among Conservative Friends to bring back the “prayer cap”. Except in the very “conservative” congregations and meetings, it is optional…more of a “disipline” than a “requirement”.

I know most of the Hutterites and the Amish still require it.

 

[WarEagle4130]

Thanks, Publisher. Do you know if, in the churches you mention that still require it, if it is required as a matter of adhering to a mandate in scripture, or is it just a tradition?

 

[DorianGregorian]

It was practiced by early Lutherans (the so called Orthodoxy period between the Reformation until about 1750) and Anglican churches. It wasn’t rejected so much because of scripture, but as a way of revolting against the “old Church.” Iconography was important for Protestants, it’s the same reason clergy grew beards (which were uncommon for secular clergy) and why stained glass was removed.

 

[rev_kevin]

The subject of head covering came up the other day on CAL, and it got me thinking about the history of this practice in non-Catholic Christian churches. According to this link (Wikipedia “grain of salt” warning), even some of the reformer’s wives practiced it:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_headcovering

Does anyone know if it was ever required in Protestant churches, like it was in the Catholic church, and if so, when did that requirement get overturned (I know when it happened in the Catholic church). Seems like a pretty interesting test case for the “Bible only” claims, in that the Bible seems to clearly mandate it, and if your church does not have the authority to bind and loose, then they can’t change that mandate, right?

But if the CC don’t practice it anymore and they have the “only authority” to bind and loosen and they chose to loosen it then it should be alright for all churches, denominations to loosen it. If its good enough for the CC its good enough for all churches.

 

[DorianGregorian]

But if the CC don’t practice it anymore and they have the “only authority” to bind and loosen and they chose to loosen it then it should be alright for all churches, denominations to loosen it. If its good enough for the CC its good enough for all churches.

The Church has not rescinded head-coverings, though some of the heterodox Bishops would like to make you think so.