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01/03/07
Comments (20)

The Doctrine of Hairology

This is an oldie but a goodie. I looked all over and couldn’t find an authoritative account of where it came from and neither could I track down an “official” file. I suspect it is fairly old as from the sound quality it seems likely that it was taken from a cassette. Because it was already uploaded on several servers I went ahead and uploaded it to mine as well. If anyone can point me to an official or copyrighted version, I’ll gladly link to that one instead of this one!

In the meantime, I give you a sermon on “hairology,” the theology of hair. Dr. G.I. Barber delivers what is an exceptional sermon (and fairly short one, thankfully) on what the Bible has to say about hair.

The Doctrine of Hairology

Comments (20) »

1. Randy Hurst
January 3, 2007
10:39 PM

Tim,

If I remember right this sermon caused a church split back in the day. The Samson-ites packed their bags and took a Nazarite Vow [Judges 13:5] - left their hair long. They took offense at the hypocrisy of the Crew Cutters and their velvet picture of the longhaired Jesus hanging over the baptistry.

Folicly Challenged,

PR

2. Lou S. Lots
January 4, 2007
6:39 AM

This is a joke right? A guy named Dr. Barbour, who was a barbour, who is an expert on hairology!

This sounds like it was made to mock christians.

3. Chris Taylor
January 4, 2007
9:54 AM

I think he clarified that it’s about location and direction and not length because he sounds as though his nose and ear hair was probably longer than his Gene Keaty combover he was justifying.

Lord forgive me.

Your former-mullet-wearing friend.

4. Tim Challies
January 4, 2007
10:30 AM

“This is a joke right? A guy named Dr. Barbour, who was a barbour, who is an expert on hairology!”

I am quite sure it is made by a Christian for Christians. It’s just good old-fashioned satire.

5. philip
January 4, 2007
10:40 AM

Man, I am feeling convicted that my hair is touching my ears! I didn’t realize that I was sold out to the flesh so I am off to the barber shop.

Shame on that Ben Franklin!!!

6. David Finch
January 4, 2007
11:50 AM

Glad to know that the direction of the hair is very important in determining whether it is sinful … for a moment there I was concerned that Bozo the Clown and Ronald McDonald were sinners!

7. Lance Roberts
January 4, 2007
12:18 PM

I’m sure glad that someone was preaching that we should follow Biblical precept on hair. It’s very plainly laid out in the Bible. A lot of liberals like to deny the soveriegnty of God in this area.

8. Jeri
January 4, 2007
12:22 PM

I loved the time the radio program is aired. Again, I have laughed til I cried.

9. Lance Roberts
January 4, 2007
12:23 PM

What’s really sad is when you mention the Biblical precepts for hair length, and most modern people usually say “How long is long” or “How short is short”; trying to get “out of” obedience instead of “into” it. We should be studying diligently (like all principles) to see how to better apply it to our lives. We obey God because we love him. When you want your kids to clean the room, do you always want them to ask how clean?

10. dan
January 4, 2007
12:39 PM

G.I. Barber is the alter-ego of James O. Combs, provost of Louisiana Baptist University. Here is a link for more info. http://www.gracewayonline.com/content/view/31/9/

11. pilgrim
January 4, 2007
2:44 PM

Funny stuff.

How could you miss it’s satire? Upper G.I.? I laughed at that, great joke…

Even if he was serious I wouldn’t take it seriously—he did quote scripture, then he just went off on his own direction without explaining it.

But as satire? Quite funny.

12. Matt
January 4, 2007
4:03 PM

This was great. Having grown up in a Hyles Church, I almost was certain I heart this at the Youth Conference back in the 80’s. Sometimes we just have to laugh at ourselves (me being a fundamentalist, that is!)

13. Randy Hurst
January 4, 2007
4:07 PM

Explained:

*The flaps on Calvin’s hat: Hidden Sin? Calvin Rendering

Not Explained:

*The powdered LONG HAIRED wigs of Jonathan Edwards. Though providentailly balding, was he aspiring to similated worldliness? Edwards Rendering

14. Dallas Pymm
January 4, 2007
6:18 PM

What about chest hair? Should I be convicted if I am like an ape, should I wax, or should I simply trim?

15. bw
January 4, 2007
7:20 PM

I can’t decide if this is serious or not. Either way, I’m not ready for Jesus with a sidepart & whitewalls:)

16. Jane
January 5, 2007
9:45 AM

Tim, Thank you for starting my day laughing out loud. Some folks seem to be having trouble decided if this thing was on the level or satire. SATIRE, folks!!! I played it on Windows media player and the bar at the bottom flashed between G.I. Barber and “Get a haircut, maggot.” I’m telling the truth, really. The sad thing is there really are people like this. I’ve actually encountered a few. They are most likely found in the same crowd as the folks that sincerely believe the the King James version of the Bible is the only version God approves and reading anything else is a deadly sin. If they only knew what I know about King James :-)

Jane

17. Neil Lynch
January 6, 2007
4:15 PM

If short hair was good enough for Paul and Silas, then bless God, it’s good enough for us!

Please understand, I’m not a Ruckmanite… I’m a “Momma”ite.

18. Chad Brewer
January 6, 2007
4:57 PM

If you think about it…or think about all the homosexual people that you have seen or have known…how long is their hair? Most gay men have short hair, not long flowing hair. Most lesbian (not bi-sexual) women have shorter hair. Obviously, this is a sweeping generalization but one that has a lot of validity to it. I thought about this as I was reading the posts and thought to myself, “Because I have SHORT hair, am I gay?” hahahaha This would be the same (not exactly) as saying, “Becasue I have short or long hair, am I in sin?”

19. Francisco
January 6, 2007
5:09 PM

George Washington in a two-dollar bill? That line cracked me up! and did you notice that guy replying to the preacher in the background? oh my! gotta love the fundies!

20. Joshua
January 6, 2007
6:38 PM

When I first saw the post, I downloaded it thinking “well this will be interesting. I’ve never heard someone talk on the theology of hair.” A rare sample of quality Christian parody. Hilarious. Were there really sermons like this? Best line “bless their little hearts, these little hippie girls” .