The Easter Bonnet Rebellion

Introduction

While some countries continue the headship tradition, we no longer, for the most part, practice. What evidence is there that feminism ended the church’s continuance of the headship tradition in this country? A flowery Easter bonnet worn by women and the removal of hats by men may have deeper significance.

NOWs National Unveiling

Unfortunately, the majority of Bible teachers always let their current culture determine their interpretation of scripture, rather than letting scripture condemn the sins of our culture. And, in the late 60s, it became the job of the NOW Task Force on Women and Religion to point out that one of the root causes of the oppression of women is religion. They said,

“The outmoded and discriminatory practice of women wearing head coverings at the liturgical services was the target of a protest by the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION for WOMEN on Easter morning [in 1969]….N.O.W. urged all women to resolve that as of now to join in this first action of the “National Unveiling” of all women in all churches throughout the nation.”

Catholics made it 14 years longer than we Protestants. They abrogated their 1917 canon law in 1983. Mantillas were the norm, but no longer. Conformity to the culture was complete.

Do Catholics Uncover and Cover?

That makes it pretty clear why the headship tradition disappeared. Feminism won, and the symbols of doffing or donning a hat in worship were discontinued. We may keep the symbols of the New Testament-infused Seder in the second half of 1 Corinthians 11, but not those regulated in the first half of the chapter. Moreover, the principle is disappearing too. Some pastors still pay the principle lip service but not many. We have moved from patriarchy to feminism and now transgender androgyny is leading the charge.

Our focus is on mankind. But God is trying to teach us about the Trinity. The Father has inserted the Son as a mediator and king. He has now made everything Christ’s footstool. In fourth century bishop John Chrysostom said.“Perceivest thou how everywhere he appeals to the hearer’s shame by arguing from on high?”

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Doffing or donning a hat in worship is not a draconian command. Men practice this sign of respect for the national anthem. but our refusal to continue this in church reveals our hearts. We are indignant about God’s binary, sequential creation of mankind, rather than humbled by the submission of his Son.

Keeping the New Testament-infused Seder is archaic too. It may be the oldest tradition kept by a man, but like headship authority symbols and the post-Pentecost baptism practiced by early Jewish believers, these ordinances have become transcultural worship traditions. The headship ordinance simply asks men to take off their hats and women to put something on. We should continue this tradition or restore it if we have stopped.

Conclusion

There will always be hyper-patriarchal abuse and egalitarian feminist upheavals. Adam and Eve questioned God’s headship originally and we do now every day in a current iteration. But the Triune God and his headship is divine. Christ is equal to the Father, and he reigns forever and ever. So keep the traditions. The 1st century shawl may be archaic, but uncovering or covering our head with a hat symbolically honors God according to scripture.

Hyperlink to N.O.W. Document

https://documents.alexanderstreet.com/d/1000683017

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