Beachy Art Gallery: “Hooked on the Hanging Veil”
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In this revolutionary 21st century artistic rendering of the hanging veil, the sketch artist portrays this Anabaptist pop-culture icon in the vain of Andy Warhol but with the surrealist imagery of Salvador Dali, though the artist denies any “borrowed” material.
But the approach is unique. While deragatory titles abound for our completely Biblical pleated style covering, there have been few metaphorical analogies drawn for the new hip covering style among Beachys, the hanging veil. Social commentators postulate that this is due to the prevailing reaction- and dissatisfied-oriented paradigm prevailing among many veil advocates in contrast to the contentment and peace-mindedness of those satisfied with the traditional pleated style.
But now, a contemporary artist has stepped forward to metaphorically portray the veil in a single image that is designed to “catch” the attention of the casual viewer. Yet, the artist emphasizes that those who use this work to deride Christian head coverings all together can just go “to the belly of a whale.”
“Hooked on the Hanging Veil” as well as the rest of the contemporary collection of Beachy art is currently on display at the Thoroughly Modern Miller Art Gallery.
prodigal daughter wrote,
Can someone explain why the pleated style is considered better than the hanging veil? I’m not Beachy, but I do wear the pleated style (for the most part, anyway) (and my pleated covering is considerably smaller than the Beachy covering). I’m not asking so I can shoot your reasons down, but have wondered already why so many churches, including mine, think the veil is the work of the devil.
Link | July 17th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Beach Kid wrote,
This was an outstanding post. As in the best content I’ve seen on this site in a long time. It’s obvious that the post was well thought out and took some time. Thanks for that.
prodigal daughter, this site does satire most of the time, and this post is no exception. The whole thing is a lot of biting sarcasm (read, “coffee-filter”). LOL
Link | July 17th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Hans Mast wrote,
The point is that it’s not better. He was being sarcastic.
In fact, Biblically the hanging veil is closer to the example of the early church. The only reason for coffee filters is Swiss-German culture.
Link | July 19th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Sven Svendsen wrote,
That’s the prevailing misconception we have in our circles today, and I haven’t seen any citations supporting this. On the contrary, early Greco-Roman culture dictated a woman have her hair put up in a bun, and some styles of putting up hair were quite elaborate for secular society. Early carvings of Christians in the Greco-Roman states show head wear closer to today’s bonnets than hanging veil, as it adequately covered hair that was put up in a bun. Tertullian’s exposition on the covering more closesly corresponds with a cap style than a hanging veil, which at the time would have only been a long one, not the seriously abbeviated one of today. It is Arab and Persian cultures that accomodated the long veil, and that was because hair was worn down. What the hanging veil is today is an incompatible hybrid of the two cultures, and is more like a serious compromise of the original Greco-Roman Christian covering than the legendary long veiling, which is of no relation to the flopping veil of today.
Link | July 19th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Chris wrote,
What a useless discussion. If the discussion of “Veilings” or “Coverings” focused on what the best way to follow the Bible is instead of devolving into an “ours is better than yours” because: The “Early Christians” (in carvings) are shown doing it closer to our way than yours etc etc. Maybe we would find a way to practice this that is better than either of the above referenced options.
Link | July 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Brady wrote,
My question is how you can base one of your main points of sect-ism on only one reference in scripture ? I only hear of a veil , covering , whatever in scripture mentioned one time (maybe somewhere else but I haven’t seen it ) and the Mennos and the likes adhere to it like circle flies on crap.In my bible , whether it be KJ or NIV mentions speaking in tongues , healing people , and prophecy dozens of times in the New Testament alone.I think the focus for all this is to pick and choose things that make works rather than faith the main focus.It takes faith to go to a blind man and say ” In the name of Jesus be healed ” , yet to wear a covering it only takes self justification and a small amount of pride.I know some where wearing a covering is out of a real conviction , however I have viewed this conviction as culturally induced and as fake as a Gucci bag in Bangkok.
Link | July 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 am
Sven Svendsen wrote,
Brady, if you have the great faith that you spoke of, without a small amount of self justification and pride, and are able to heal people in the name of Jesus, spontaneously speak to other people in their tongue, and prophecy, then by all means, utilize these gifts to your fullest capacity.
Link | July 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
The MD wrote,
In addition to Sven:
Drinking deadly poison and getting bitten by poisonous snakes without any harm is also mentioned in the same passage as speaking in tongues. That’s something that you never hear spoken about when talking about faith healing and speaking in tongues. These are refered to as gifts which some people have but not everybody has. There is a difference between gifts and direct commandments.
Link | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Brady wrote,
Sven , you sound like a Bible skeptic.If you don’t believe what each verse says then you should just worship a Golden Calf , or if you are Menno it should probably be painted black first.No offense , but your tone has a hint of doubt and /or sarcasm Are you denying the power of The Holy Spirit to raise the dead , cast out demons , and prophecy ? Have you become so deceived that you would cast off the One whom Christ said he would send to you ? Also , I never said I had this faith.I also never said I was a Christian.I do read and understand much scripture.I would like to know if you are being a scoffer or a faithful truth seeker ?
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Brady wrote,
MD , I would like to know why I have never met a Menno ( Beachy or Eastern ) who has possessed any of the gifts ? Have you ? I would really like to speak to them if you do know one , seriously.I think these things are pushed aside to make room for collarless shirts and singing in Harmony.I have read many reports of various things happening to Christians all over the world and by the power of God they were not affected.I have also read of those same things killing the bodies of Christians as well.I do think you are right on about Gifts and direct Commands.Read later on in Corinthians and Paul says ” Let two or three prophecy and let the others evaluate what is said……Women should be silent during church meetings.It is not proper for them to speak….” Also , you should read more of the Gospels if you are looking for Commands.But its a great point to follow commands, keep in mind he was speaking to the Corinthians and others in particular.He never mentions these things in other letters.There had to be a reason.So I think some things applied here that may or may not apply to everyone.I don’t know.But if you allow women to give testimony you are breaking a direct command while following the head covering rule.Which makes the Church a transgressor.I don’t want to call your Church a transgressor , I only want to decipher what is needed for Salvation and His Kingdom and what is not necessary to or even required to obtain the free gift of eternal life.
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 10:39 am
The MD wrote,
Brady,
I think you hit on a key point about what is needed for salvation. To many people get caught up with what questioning “what do I have do to be saved” & “what can I get by with and still be saved”. That is the main problem that I see in church standards. As long as your living within the standards, your OK and no one can say anything. If we use the Bible as our standard, and hold each other accountable to it, it always drives to the heart. What God wants is a pure & honest heart that is willing to do anything or forsake anything for the gospel. I don’t discount the gifts that some people have, but I can’t condemn someone for not having that gift. I ask that you will truly seek out your answers with an open heart.
Regards,
Link | July 24th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Hans Mast wrote,
Brady, I have a good Beachy friend that cast out a demon and I (and some other Beachy, a conservative Menno brothers) have prayed for an unbeliever and he was miraculously released from the police when he was going to have to spend several months in jail. He gave rapt attention while we shared the gospel.
I have seen many miracles in the process of working to win souls. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!
Link | August 2nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Marie wrote,
I was not raised in any church. I was raised in a loving but secular home. God called to me and alone in my house at age 22 i received him. For the next year i read my bible and learned on my own. I finally started attending a church and i was shocked to see how different it was to my concept of Gods church in the bible i got all by myself. I knew something was wrong.
Without mans instruction and with only the holy spirit to guide me in the truths i felt called to head coverings. Not because it was a law or a rule, but because of submission. And The Lord knows it is especially difficult to have submission in the American culture.
I found this site searching for a place to fit in with like believers. But i can not seem to find a place.
Why is it hard to agree that head coverings are just that, something that covers your head and reminds you of the Order of things.. Why does it matter so much how wide or long or how it sits on your head?
Forgive my naivety of the subject but Although i do not fit in any Protestant churches i have attended i also don’t seem to fit in any Anabaptist churches nether. My choices are worldly or legalistic. =/ Isn’t there one that is based on love and adherence to the word but freedom of man made laws too? I am drawn to the beachy but turned off because they don’t trust the ladies to even pick out their own head coverings. I don’t like any of the ones you all wear! I like the veil that covers my shoulders too! Like a mantle!(this way i can almost hide during worship and give all the Glory to God, because i struggled with vanity in the past) So i am even more conservative them most beachys yet i would be looked down upon because i desired to wear a different veil??? I cant find this in Gods word ANYWHERE!
My husband says as long as i dress modest, he don’t care what i wear, and as long as i want to wear a head covering he don’t care what it looks like as long as its plain and doesn’t draw attention away from God. I told him about the beachy’s(we live in Arizona so we don’t have them here) and he said” Sweetie, if you want to move to a place where you feel more comfortable and will be with like minded ladies then i feel called to move you there.” But, even with the freedom he has giving me i can not find a place to go!
I am looking for a church that believes the Heart of the person is most important for Godly living. That obeying Gods word might differ a little bit between two people but has the same effect. One might feel called to wear a cap, one called to a scarf. As long as both are coverings, modest and simple Who is man to say what one is right? Isn’t that up to the Lord and that person and her husband? Am i the only one that has read Romans 14?
I wont eat meat that isn’t humanely raised, i feel its my Christian duty.. IS it right i should force other Christians into my way of thinking? No! And when i do missionary work with my husband we eat all that is set before us. I would not think my way better then theirs, least i become arrogant and judgmental causing them to stubble.
God loves us, he set the commandments and rules to help us.. I rather err in the side of following to closely then not following at all because “I” felt it could be done a different way. His ways are to keep us Holy and on the right path, not to be used to prove our way is better than another.
Who cares about the head covering style, there’s a LOST world out there, should you let them see you bickering over such things? Or praising God together and being in agreement of the way your heart feels when you don the veil and feel closer to God because of it?
In India the women wear lovely scarves and are VERY Modest!!! But, here in America some of these stodgy Christians would feed them to the wolves just because its different then the way they do it. But, God loves them so much too! I know because i have felt the love in the worship of their songs and seen the evidence of lives changed.. So, rather it is a long scarf, or small veil, truly doesn’t matter to God as much as where the believers heart is when she dons it.
In Gods grace,
Marie, missionary to India
Gods little servant.
Link | March 8th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Catherine wrote,
Marie – Blessings to you for following God’s word. I trust you and your husband will be encouraged as you continue in this path. As a lifelong Conservative, I know it is easy for our churches to fall into many traps whether legalistic or not enough rules. Sometimes the conservative “culture” gets in the way of the true Bible message. Please don’t let people be a stumbling block to you! God is faithful. He knows your heart and He expects to see obedience on the outside as well. Keep serving Him! Catherine
Link | March 19th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Not a Beachy wrote,
Marie,
I think that this is an issue that you are going to have to settle in your own heart with the help of the Holy Spirit. It sounds like you have already done so. I grew up in a conservative Mennonite environment so I understand the context of much of what is said on this site. Most of it is tongue-in-cheek or satire. I also understand your frustration at the amount of attention that is placed on style, size, etc. Trying to stay distinctive and apart from the world is a big deal in the conservative world and, unfortunately, we have become very “inward focused”, putting a lot of attention on appearance, styles, etc. A lot of conservative Mennos and Beachys have not spent much time “outside” the conservative world and have not had to do a lot of hard thinking about why they practice the way they do. You didn’t grow up conservative and, from the sounds of it, you are currently living “outside” the conservative world. This gives you a different, more well thought out perspective on your practice. My family and I are also missionaries in Africa, working with a non-Mennonite organization yet choosing to maintain our more distinctive way of dress and practice. We also both went to non-Mennonite colleges. We have had to do more thinking about why we practice this way but also we are much more accepting of other Christians and their way of living. It very much boils down to a personal decision of how we chose to show our love and obedience to the Lord.
Link | March 20th, 2010 at 6:46 am
Marie wrote,
Not a beachy…. So, it sounds like your family is much like ours. What church do you attend? And when you do missionary work in Africa do you go through a church with backing or just as a family called by God?
I am just curious.
In Gods grace,
Marie
God’s little servant
Link | March 21st, 2010 at 6:24 pm