The Evangelical Universalist Forum

Beards and womens with menstruation

The OT forbids to cut the beard and to touch a women with menstruation. In the early christianity, they followed these precepts?

The Christian Jews, including Paul and the apostles, followed the teachings of Moses, worshipped at synagogues, continued worshipped at the Temple when they could, and likely even continued offering sacrifices in worship. And of course, Jesus spoke of (I believe prophesied of) the first great division in the church, the division between Jews and Gentiles when He said that those who teach and practice the commands of Moses would be called great in the kingdom and those who did not teach or practice the commands would be called leaset in the kingdom (Mt.5:18-20).

So is good to follow this precepts? Not cut the bearb Umm, I tought it were not important to spiritual edification. Is it bad to cut the beard and touch a women with menstruation, is bad to eat some tipes of food?

I suppose that depends on whether or not one takes what Jesus said to mean what He said. Also, one must determine whether or not something was dealing with the culture in which the Jews lived, or was it something applicable to all cultures. I tend to grow in respect for the teachings of Moses, though I haven’t considered much the directive to not shave. However I do tend to follow the dietary restrictions, not legalistically, but respectfully. And I would much rather have my primary regular worship service be Friday or Saturday evening than Sunday morning. Most Christians though tend to not teach much less practice Moses’ doctrine.

I can’t speak to the menstruation thing (though most women would be glad to have the week off during a time when they’re not feeling up to par).

However it’s my understanding that the cutting of the corners of the beard had to do with practices of idol worship and pagan mourning practices of surrounding people groups which God didn’t want His people emulating. Today, of course, cutting the beard has no such connotations.

I understand abstaining from intercourse during menstruation as a means of loving my wife. It’s not a time when she is feeling particularly amorous. And I suspect it has something to do with health, physical and emotional, thus the directive from our Father. I believe that the directives that God gave Moses are for our good, not to keep us from something good. And if one considers what Paul wrote about abstaining from intercourse for a season to devote one’s self to prayer, finding our fulfillment in God, such in one’s life and marriage on a regular cycle would be healthy. Just sharing what I’m thinking.

Hi, Sherm :slight_smile: I can’t resist teasing you. Do you also give her the week off cleaning, cooking, and bring her meals? 'Cause all that is included in the prohibition. (Just looking out for my sis!)

yeah, I think life’s tough enough for a bearded menstrating woman… :smiling_imp:

Shave off the beard? i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g374/Paidion9/Emoticons/Unhuh_zpsd20a14b4.gif

God cause beards to grow on human males—perhaps a symbol of manhood.
Do we men think we know better than God? Do we look better clean shaven?

Some male birds have a beautiful crest (which the females lack).
Would we improve the appearance of these male birds by cutting off their crests?
I don’t think so.