PURITAN NEWS WEEKLY

www.puritans.net/news/

4/12/07

 

 

HAIR DYING

 

By Parnell McCarter

 

 

As Christians we have been blessed with the privilege of not having to expend time, money and health on outward ornamentation like the dying of hair, so that we may rather focus on eternal, inward graces such as righteousness and holiness.  As explained in the article at http://www.puritans.net/news/attire040604.htm , plainness and simplicity are the principles which should govern how we appear.  As we read in I Peter 3:3-4,  “Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”  Most such commands in scripture along these lines are especially directed to women, because women are more wont to avail of such outward ornamentation.  Its very feminine character makes it especially egregious for men, who are to eschew effeminacy in appearance and behavior.  So both men and women should avoid the practice.

 

Sometimes hair dying occurs for the purpose of hiding gray hairs, but such a practice flies in the face of such scriptural passages as these:

 

“The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.” – Proverbs 16:31

 

“Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:32

 

It is shameful how modern Western culture looks down upon the aged, as represented by gray hairs, and instead promotes a “youth culture”.  We should reject this “youth culture” idea, and the practice of hair dying which accompanies it.  Dying of hair is a wrong-headed acquiescence to a society which has lost its Biblical moorings.