Head Covering: A Forgotten Christian Practice for Modern Times

Have you ever wondered why some women cover their heads in church, while men remove their hats? Have you thought about what this practice means and where it came from? It's not something that was picked up from the surrounding culture. Instead, it comes directly from 1 Corinthians 11 (in the Bible) where this practice is explained in surprising depth. In fifteen consecutive verses, the Apostle Paul explains and defends the practice of head covering. He appeals to apostolic tradition, to the created roles of men and women, to angels, to nature, and to the church's exclusive position on this topic.

Though head covering was practiced by the majority of Christians throughout Church history, it is now practiced only by a small minority. However, today many Christians are rediscovering this ancient practice, fueling a resurgence of head covering during church gatherings.

From the founder of the Head Covering Movement comes "Head Covering: A Forgotten Christian Practice for Modern Times." In this book, Jeremy Gardiner will walk you through the Scriptures so you will see how this symbol beautifully depicts the created differences between men and women. You'll hear the history of head covering, showing that it wasn't until the feminist revolution that this practice fell out of favor in the Western church. The most popular objections (the cultural view, the long hair view, and charges of legalism) are all answered in-depth. Finally, the book addresses practical questions regarding how this is to be carried out.

For too long, head covering has been neglected and stereotyped. Unfair associations with cults, legalism, unsophisticated theology, and frumpiness have turned many people off. We want to move past these stereotypes and into Scripture—because contrary to those views, head covering is biblical, beautiful, and relevant. This is not some new strange doctrine. This is a practice with an early and long history that is firmly based in the Bible. The rejection of this symbol is new, setting modern generations apart from the majority of believers throughout Church history. It’s time we changed that.

Endorsements

Jeremy Gardiner has written a thoughtful and helpful argument from Scripture and church history for women to cover their heads in worship. This book deserves a fair hearing from all who desire to obey God’s Word in whatever it teaches.
-Dr. Joel Beeke, president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Jeremy Gardiner’s book gently, respectfully, and accurately addresses all of the questions I had as I grappled with the passage in 1 Corinthians 11 on head covering. I appreciate his careful and thorough exegesis of the passage and his willingness to tackle all of the current objections and alternate views on the subject. I wish I had this resource decades ago.
-April Cassidy, author of The Peaceful Wife

Jeremy Gardiner has done the church good service in calling us back to the obedience of God’s Word our parents and grandparents rejected a century ago. Gardiner gives a clear explanation of the Scriptural command, going on to treat with accuracy and kindness the many objections moderns have raised.
-Tim Bayly, former executive director of The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood

I started wearing a head covering (in a church that does not wear head coverings) a few years ago. I felt challenged to put the word of God above the word of man at every turn, and to resist relativizing its teachings according to my own culture — even my Christian culture. I commend the courage of Jeremy Gardiner in standing for the whole counsel of God.
-Andrée Seu Peterson, senior writer at WORLD Magazine

Jeremy has done a great service for the Body of Christ by helping to resurrect the LORD’s commands for His own worship. May the LORD forgive us for thinking we know better.
-Dr. Carlton C. McLeod, senior pastor of CRC Chesapeake

Jeremy Gardiner is the founder of the Head Covering Movement, a ministry focused on restoring the symbol of head covering during church gatherings. He is also the founder and operator of Gospel e-Books, a popular website that provides alerts for free and discounted Christian e-books. Jeremy lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with his wife and four children. They are active members at Fellowship Baptist Church.