Beards - Given Unto Man

Christian ethics and theology with an Anabaptist perspective
Talitha
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by Talitha »

I've been in churches that required beards on dudes, and ones that didn't, I never really considered it to be a biblical requirement or prohibition, more cultural, so I can't add much to that side.
But to the cultural side, as one who's worked in customer service for a few years (where you see every stripe of male and female and some you don't know which), I have to admit it was nice when I saw full whiskers to know I was pretty safe to call them a sir. :laugh
Also, I gotta say I like the looks of a well kept beard on a fellow ;)

I shall now be quiet :shock:
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MaxPC
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by MaxPC »

Talitha wrote:I've been in churches that required beards on dudes, and ones that didn't, I never really considered it to be a biblical requirement or prohibition, more cultural, so I can't add much to that side.
But to the cultural side, as one who's worked in customer service for a few years (where you see every stripe of male and female and some you don't know which), I have to admit it was nice when I saw full whiskers to know I was pretty safe to call them a sir. :laugh
I had not considered that: we don't see cross-dressers in campgrounds. Lesbian campers with guns, yes, but no cross-dressers.

I wonder if the teaching in Deuteronomy 22:5 would lead Christians, who are living in a sexually confused and liberal area, to embrace those attributes that emphasize separation of the genders? Example: men's beards and women's dresses with long hair.
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Josh
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by Josh »

MaxPC wrote:
Talitha wrote:I've been in churches that required beards on dudes, and ones that didn't, I never really considered it to be a biblical requirement or prohibition, more cultural, so I can't add much to that side.
But to the cultural side, as one who's worked in customer service for a few years (where you see every stripe of male and female and some you don't know which), I have to admit it was nice when I saw full whiskers to know I was pretty safe to call them a sir. :laugh
I had not considered that: we don't see cross-dressers in campgrounds. Lesbian campers with guns, yes, but no cross-dressers.

I wonder if the teaching in Deuteronomy 22:5 would lead Christians, who are living in a sexually confused and liberal area, to embrace those attributes that emphasize separation of the genders? Example: men's beards and women's dresses with long hair.
That's the proof text Apostolic Pentecostals like to use, although they do not require the beard and used to mandate no beards.
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Gene
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by Gene »

Having given facial hair full right of self expression in all the enthusiasm my follicles could muster, in much younger times and for reasons utterly devoid of religious content, I have concluded this phenomenon likely arose as a result of the fall from grace recorded as causing a banishment from the presence of the Almighty shortly after creation. How else does one explain the infernal itch? It is inconceivable a merciful Deity intended such a thing in a perfect world. I could never be Amish.
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queserasera_2
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by queserasera_2 »

Amen, Gene! Beards are yucky. Sorry, heir. ;)
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KingdomBuilder
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by KingdomBuilder »

So what about ethnic groups/ individuals who physically cannot grow a beard?

If this is such a universal principle of distinction, why are there groups to whom this couldn't apply?
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Josh
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by Josh »

KingdomBuilder wrote:So what about ethnic groups/ individuals who physically cannot grow a beard?

If this is such a universal principle of distinction, why are there groups to whom this couldn't apply?
They need to intermarry with Swiss people.
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KingdomBuilder
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by KingdomBuilder »

Josh wrote:
KingdomBuilder wrote:So what about ethnic groups/ individuals who physically cannot grow a beard?

If this is such a universal principle of distinction, why are there groups to whom this couldn't apply?
They need to intermarry with Swiss people.
Silly me- of course! That's in Deuteronomy, right? 8-)
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Sudsy
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by Sudsy »

I'm curious how a church group who require beards for men would treat a man who wishes to join their church but he is unable to grow a beard. Sometimes called the "perpetual baby-faced syndrome". Would they still be accepted into the fellowship?
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ohio jones
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Re: Beards - Given Unto Man

Post by ohio jones »

Sudsy wrote:I'm curious how a church group who require beards for men would treat a man who wishes to join their church but he is unable to grow a beard. Sometimes called the "perpetual baby-faced syndrome". Would they still be accepted into the fellowship?
It would probably be acceptable to outsource the growing, as in this solution.
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