Head Covering for Women ~ A blog interaction

In February 2011, I (Jane Coley) received a question on my blog (janesjournalfromkenya.blogspot) about head coverings for women. The question was from a woman of Amish/Mennonite background and I thought the interaction would be interesting to read.

From Missionary Momma:
Have you considered covering your head?

My response:
No. And this is why. - The books of first and second Corinthians are Paul’s writings to the Christians at the church of Corinth, and his purpose was to settle the contentions that were in the church, and there were many.
To this particular contention (concerning a head covering on women when they pray) Paul’s response is given in verse 16 "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."
Paul’s addressing of this contention (found in I Corinthians 11:3-15) is structured in such a way that he:
1.) defines the contention in their understanding; basically he was telling them - this is what you do and this is why I understand you do it,
2.) Paul clarifies the Word of God by stating a woman’s head/authority is her husband,
3.) And for added emphasis, Paul states a woman’s head is already covered with her hair,
4.) Then, to wrap things up, Paul ends this discussion with... "we have no such custom...".
Thank you for your question.

From Missionary Momma:
"The books of first and second Corinthians are Paul’s writings to the Christians at the church of Corinth." Do you also dismiss the Lord's Supper which is in the very same chapter?

If the covering is only hair, what does 1 Cor. 11:5 mean? How does a woman dishonor her head?

Are you suggesting that Paul goes into a discussion on a woman's covering and why she should wear one only to end by saying "we have no such custom"?

Paul says "we have no custom" of being contentious about the practice of covering. Why? It was, to the apostle an obvious conclusion from the created order (v 14) and to the angels looking on (v 10).