Evangelicals and Fashion

I’ve heard that some Evangelicals object to long hair on men. One man complained that his BIL wouldn’t let him attend a wedding unless he cut his hair. Aside from being completely intolerant to anyone else’s choices and rude, lets explore this concept:

KJV I Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

Jesus has long hair

It’s debatable what Paul meant when he called himself an “apostle” and since this was self declared, it’s suspect. As Christians we are called on by Jesus to exercise spiritual gifts. However, due to the nature of men, anything written or claimed to be the word of God should be considered as research material and analyzed, not taken as “gospel” or law. Except for speaking in tongues, Many evangelicals do not recognize spiritual gifts in modern times and are suspicious of them being “Satanic”.

Greek and Roman men 2000 years ago

The fashion on Paul’s time for Roman and Greek men was close clipped hair. We don’t actually know how Jesus wore his hair, but we do know that in both the Written Torah (the Law of Moses) and the Oral Law were in place, while we probably would not see the curls that we see today in some orthodox men, the law is the same. Whether or not Jesus had straight light brown or blond hair and blue eyes is not really worthy of consideration.

The bible has ONE mention of short hair length for men.  Jesus would only have access to the Jewish law as did Paul who was a pharisee. Jesus specifically said he did not come to replace the Torah or Jewish law:
Matthew 5:17–18

KJV “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Be kind to others

Much of the bible are a moralistic code warning you about how you treat others. Over time some moral positions have been interpreted as controlling other people behavior, not one own.  While you may have a personal opinion about how people dress or wear their hair the bible doesn’t address fashion choices. It says nothing about men dressing up as women for fun.

Romans 15:7

KJV “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”