Headcovering Throughout Christian History

Have you ever wondered why Christian women, just two or three generations ago, often wore some type of covering on their heads while in church? -- And why men always took off their hats when it was time to pray?

It is well-documented throughout Church history that the use of headcoverings was the norm for Christian women during times of prayer. Additionally, the widespread practice for Christian men -- since the beginning of the Church -- has been to remove their hats whenever they gathered for prayer. Among the churches in Western society, these practices have greatly declined (and often ceased) only within the last century.

The Bible itself provided for the longevity of these symbolic actions. In the book of First Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explained the meaning of the unique practice of Christian headcovering. Countless pastors, theologians, and other Christians throughout history have studied (and written about) Paul's instructions about headcovering.

"Headcovering Throughout Church History" provides an overview of the Church's response to 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 across the last 2000 years of Christianity. It features the writings of the Early Church, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, and many others. It also documents contemporary theologians & denominations that endorse the Church's historical stand on this passage of Scripture.

Now in Kindle format, this book contains the most comprehensive research currently available on the topic. Carefully referenced quotations allow you to hear from well over 50 theologians, pastors, and other Christian writers throughout Church history.

__________________

= = Book Excerpts = =

"A man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of man... Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head... We have no other practice, nor have the churches of God." // The Apostle Paul, 1st Century AD

“Indeed, the man's head ought not to be hidden, for the glory of God is seen in the man. A woman ought to cover her head in church out of reverence.” // Ambrosiaster, 4th Century AD

"A woman praying in church without her head covered brings shame upon her head, according to the word of the Apostle... [and] the Apostle forbids men to pray in Church with covered head.” // Synod of Rome, 8th Century AD

“It pertains to a man's dignity not to wear a covering on his head, to show that he is immediately subject to God; but the woman should wear a covering to show that besides God she is naturally subject to another.” // Thomas Aquinas, 13th Century AD

“No man shall cover his head in the church or chapel.” // The Church of England, 17th Century AD

“During my high school years, I never saw a woman in my mainline church whose head wasn't covered with a hat or a veil. That is one of those customs that has simply disappeared for the most part from Christian culture.” // R.C. Sproul (contemporary pastor & theologian)

“It is only in the past three or four decades [since the 1960's] that its observance has slipped away — particularly in Western society.” // Mary Kassian (professor, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)

=======

This book is a companion volume to the book, "Covered Glory: 1 Corinthians 11 & The Christian Use of Headcoverings."