iano writes:
Not having thought about it in depth I would tend to agree with Purple Dawns analysis that it had to do with the culture of the day. This because (as she has noted) there is a hint from Paul that this is indeed the case. Whilst I don't feel that everything in the NT (or OT for that matter) should be weighted so significantly in the light of the culture, there is a case to be made here.
I think this analysis is probably correct, but I remember years ago getting into an e-mail exchange with an
Independent Baptist who believed that these New Testament passages taught that women should (a) not wear head covering; (b) wear their hair long; and (c) wear skirts and dresses. He eventually got mad at me when I started to challenge the King James Version's inerrancy (he's KJV Only), and that was the end of our discussions.
Obviously, Paul's writings, especially many centuries after the fact, are going to be a source of controversy. I guess we all need to study the
koine Greek language and early Christian cultures and customs before we get dressed for church!
Never overestimate the intelligence of someone who thinks you're wrong.
™ Version 4.2