Ep 282 – 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Warning! The following content is potentially controversial and most certainly, difficult to understand. But hopefully, with a little thought and an eye to the context surrounding the passage and the historical setting in which the Corinthian church existed, we can gain some insight into what Paul was dealing with and how it applies to us today. This episode deals with 1 Corinthians 11, verses 2-16; a much-debated passage that has left more than one theologian stumped and a lot of believers confused. But at the end of the day, I think Paul is addressing the problem of order in the church. That is a constant issue within the body of Christ, and has been for centuries. The cultural contexts change, but the need for order and decorum never do. In the attempt to be relevant, churches are always running the risk of making compromises and concessions that can end up weakening the gospel message. In an effort to take advantage of their newfound freedoms in Christ, many believers end up losing sight of the more critical mission of making the gospel and the community of Christ attractive and appealing to those who are lost. Demanding our rights or flaunting our freedoms may seem appealing, but they can end up being a real turn-off to those outside the church.