MennoNet.com

So I'm just wondering if the beard is a salvation issue for anyone. Is it possible to have a conviction for or against a beard? Will enjoy reading your comments and views.

Don't believe this to be a salvation issue, but the mustache alone is a test of membership in many conservative groups. And I think the mentality behind that is quite dated.

steve-in-kville wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:29 am And I think the mentality behind that is quite dated.

Do you know what the mentality is that's being used?

I think anything that God asks a person to do, can become a salvation issue at some point.

I look to the teaching and instructions in the New Testament to learn what God wants everyone to practice in this age. Anything that is not taught in the New Testament, people are welcome to make a case for, but I don't believe that such cases are authoritative.

Regarding beards, I certainly understand the cases people make for men to grow them longer than 1/64" inch. Those cases never seem to fit the ladies who can grow beards. One argument I've heard in favor of beards is that those who shave, are arguing with the Lord every morning. If that is true, than trying to tame the hairs on top of their head, and flatten it down every morning, when God made them to stand up, seem to be arguing with God also.

gracefortoday wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:34 am

steve-in-kville wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:29 am And I think the mentality behind that is quite dated.

Do you know what the mentality is that's being used?

The mustache alone is (or was) associated with military and police, so not befitting of a Christian.

I think it's good to have standards around things like that, otherwise men will be tempted to use their facial hair for attention as the world does, which is not healthy.

gracefortoday wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:23 am So I'm just wondering if the beard is a salvation issue for anyone. Is it possible to have a conviction for or against a beard? Will enjoy reading your comments and views.

It depends on what “salvation” means. If you mean a “get out of hell free” card, most people don’t think wearing a beard grants that.

I think salvation is here and now - being saved from sin on earth - yet also refers to a person who follows Jesus now will end up following Jesus for eternity.

Regarding the beard, God made me and women different. God ordained differences in our bodies, and one of those is that men grow beards, and generally speaking women don’t. Much as nature teaches us a woman should have long hair, yet long hair is a shame to men, nature teaches us men should allow their beards to grow.

nett wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:43 am The mustache alone is (or was) associated with military and police, so not befitting of a Christian.

I think it's good to have standards around things like that, otherwise men will be tempted to use their facial hair for attention as the world does, which is not healthy.

Thanks for this. I heard that about the military too one time and I did some searching on my own. I read something about how they had to shave during WWII because they couldn't get the gas masks to seal properly. When they came back to the US, people liked the new look and more were shaving. And currently, the military says this: "The Army says beards and whiskers are only to be worn with authority, which will usually be granted only on medical or religious grounds, or where tradition permits."

So I'm just confused about which is "fad" and which isn't. I guess another one of my questions is, which is more worldly, a beard or no beard?

No beard was significantly more worldly a century ago. Nowadays I’d say it’s 50/50.

Regardless of worldly fashions, God’s people should be consistent.

Josh wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:59 am Regardless of worldly fashions, God’s people should be consistent.

Yes, I agree with this. It shouldn't be grown and then shaved and keep recycling. Is that what you were thinking too?

nett wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:43 am

gracefortoday wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:34 am

steve-in-kville wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:29 am And I think the mentality behind that is quite dated.

Do you know what the mentality is that's being used?

The mustache alone is (or was) associated with military and police, so not befitting of a Christian.

That^^^