Please clarify the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16.  In church, we are required to pray individually and corporately.  I see women in church and on T.V. ministries lead prayers and prophesy without head covering.  In 1 Cor 11:1, Paul says, " Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ".  Verse two says, "... Keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you."  Verse sixteen says, "But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God."

Sincerely,
Keep Your Hat On

Dear Keep Your Hat On,

Women must always have their heads covered while praying (1 Cor 11:5), but God has built into every woman a permanent head-covering – her hair (1 Cor 11:15).  God designed men and women differently… this should be no surprise to anyone that has ever dealt with the opposite gender!  Men are to be the leaders in the home (Eph 5:23) and the church (Tit 1:5-6).  Women are the heart of the family (Tit 2:4-5), and men are not complete without them (1 Cor 11:12).  Both genders are equal heirs of salvation, but they are designed with different strengths and roles (1 Pet 3:7).  One way that God signifies this is by having men look different from women.  When women have long hair and men have short hair – it pleases God (1 Cor 11:14-15).  There are varying degrees of long and short hair, but ultimately – men are to look like men, and women are to look like women.  This principle is even borne out in the Old Testament (Deu 22:5).  The teachings of 1 Cor 11:1-16 are simply teaching that a woman’s long hair is a God-given covering for her head, and men are not to have that same covering due to their varying roles in leadership.

Does it work for a christian to be a cheerleader?  Some people say it's wrong, but I don’t know.

Sincerely,
Cheery Disposition

Dear Cheery Disposition,

The Bible never specifically says anything about cheerleading, but we can look at verses that may be pertinent.  There are certain things associated with cheerleading that must be considered before deciding whether or not it is appropriate.  The biggest issue to consider is modesty.  Many cheerleading uniforms are designed to be immodest – this is wrong (1 Tim 2:9).  Furthermore, many of the moves, kicks, and tosses involved in cheerleading inappropriately expose a cheerleader’s body and are meant to be sensual.  Cheerleading hasn’t always been this way, but unfortunately, in today’s society, cheerleading has become very inappropriate.  Pr 11:22 says that a godly woman should show discretion – cheerleading is often anything but discrete.  Instead of letting their inner character adorn them (1 Pet 3:3-4), many young women are being taught that beauty is only skin deep.  Modern cheerleading continues to further that shallow and ungodly worldview.

I have a question.  I was thinking about getting into modeling because my friend is into it, and she is trying to get me to.  She wants me to be a ring card girl with her, but my family said that it is a sin to show off my body like that and to be around that kind of environment.

Sincerely,
Looking For Career Advice

Dear Looking For Career Advice,

Your family is right.  The women that “prance” around boxing rings with the cards that indicate what round of the match it is are only there for one reason – to feed the lust of the flesh (1 Jn 2:16).  Dressing immodestly is a sin (1 Tim 2:9).  Furthermore, being around people that promote provocative sinful attitudes will corrupt you (1 Cor 15:33).  We are affected by those we are around, and our friendships and work environment either build us up or tear us down.  Listen to your family; they have your best interests in mind.

I feel I have lost faith in humanity.  Now, at the age of twenty-three, after going through some extremely challenging times and feeling deeply wounded, I find myself not developing relationships with others.  However, I have a strong relationship with God and have strong spiritual conviction.

In my past, I have never been able to trust men, and I fear returning to church because I know it’s set up in a patriarchal structure.  I feel like if I go back to the church, then I will have to be inferior to men and God, and I cannot accept that fate as I am a strong, loving woman and feel that gender should have no role in my relationship with God.  How can I restore my faith in humanity when I have suffered and endured so much and am continuously disappointed by the acts of others?

Sincerely,
Jaded

Dear Jaded,

Before you give up on mankind, remember something – God hasn’t given up on us.  Until God destroys this world with fiery judgment at the Second Coming, there is hope for people (2 Pet 3:7-9).  Even though many people are ungodly and uncaring (after all, the gate to destruction is wide – Matt 7:13), not everyone is that way.

Any religious groups that treat women as inferior aren’t reading their Bibles.  The Bible clearly states that women are equal heirs of life with men (1 Pet 3:7).  Men and women are different, but different doesn’t mean one is better than the other.  The Bible is the only great religious document to treat women with such esteem.  Two books of the Bible are named after women (Ruth and Esther).  An entire chapter of Proverbs is dedicated to the worth and wonder of godly women (Proverbs 31).  While the Koran, Dharma, and Veda all treat women as inferior… the Bible protects your rights and esteems your value.

It is impossible to serve God and not interact with people.  People are what Christ came to this earth for (Matt 28:18-20).  Christians are warned against forsaking the church and failing to gain and offer the encouragement that can be found in church services (Heb 10:24-25).  Christianity isn’t meant to be pursued alone… God put us on this earth together.  We can help you find a faithful church in your area.  We admit that many churches aren’t faithful and aren’t trustworthy, but just because false teachers have let you down, that doesn’t mean you stop looking.  Searching for a Bible-fearing congregation is part of what hungering and thirsting for righteousness is all about (Matt 5:6).  Maybe, just maybe, all your struggles have been leading up to this moment when you could find us, and we could help you find people who love the Lord as much as you do.  You never know until you try.  Our e-mail is askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we are happy to help.

My fiancée looks at porn, and I tell him that it's wrong in the Lord's eyes.  When I say that, he thinks I'm getting weird on him and says that it's not like he can ever meet these girls.  How can I tell him that it's still wrong?

Sincerely,
Appalled

Dear Appalled,

Your fiancée has a major problem with sexual sin.  God tells us to flee fornication (1 Cor 6:18) and that it is wrong for a man to lust after a woman (Matt 5:28).  His major sexual problem will very quickly become your major problem if you marry him while he still holds these views.  We cannot stress enough that you should think very carefully about marrying someone who will not cherish you as his one and only (Eph 5:33, 1 Cor 7:2).