Editorial
Ben Beilharz
Too few have recognised the vital place of hair in Christian theology. It is not stating the issue too strongly to say that our very salvation depends on a hairy matter. Consider the role of John the Baptist. He was to come before Jesus and identify him so that the world would know who he was:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’”
(John 1:29-30)
How did John know that Jesus was the one?
“I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’”
(John 1:32-33)
And how did we know to listen to John? Because God had promised that Elijah would come:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
(Malachi 4:5)
How did Elijah dress?
He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.
(2 Kings 1:8)
And how did John dress?
John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist.
(Mark 1:6)
We can come to no other conclusion: were it not for hair, we would not know to listen to John and therefore we would not know who the Messiah is. Without knowledge of our saviour, we have no salvation. This issue of Hippocampus Extensions aims to re-introduce this receding doctrine of hair to a church that has been distracted by more fashionable doctrines—a church which is in danger of forgetting a pillar of orthodox theology.
To accomplish this heady task, we are indebted to the assistance of Duncan Aldridge, Georgina Barratt-See, Tom Hanna and Haydn Sennitt. Each of them has teased out a strand of this glorious doctrine for our benefit. No nit-picking!
As a person with hair himself, Ben feels qualified to address the topic with integrity. He uses a variety of shampoos and conditioners, preferring the more manly fruits such as Apple and Blueberry.
Comments
You know… Ben’s hair sounds very technological
Haoran on 01 February, 2006 8:42 AM
Besides the hair, can’t we also argue from the leather belt John (Elijah) wore and the honey he ate and the desert he lived?
clove on 06 February, 2006 2:33 PM