Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
The speaker ties “because of the angels” to modesty and even fear (fallen angels of Genesis 6, lust, causing righteous men to stumble), quoting Hippolytus and Tertullian; what uncomfortable view of spiritual warfare, sexuality, and responsibility does this introduce, and how does it clash with a modern Christian culture that treats hair/beauty as morally neutral self-expression?
Another way to ask: What uncomfortable ideas about spiritual warfare, sexuality, and responsibility come up in the “because of the angels” argument? How does that clash with today’s Christian view that hair and beauty are just neutral self-expression?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, “because of the angels” introduces a sobering view that spiritual beings (and righteous men) can be affected by sexual temptation, and that women bear responsibility to practice modesty to avoid becoming a stumbling block. This clashes with modern assumptions that hair and beauty are neutral self-expression and should be displayed as personal “glory.”
- He asks “Which angels?” and says early Christians discussed good angels, bad angels, and even “messengers” (preachers), often in connection with lust.
- He admits the idea sounds strange to modern ears but argues hair can be sensual: “you see the lady moving her hair… it’s very sensual. It is a thing of modesty.”
- He adds fear language: “Who wants a demon or a bad angel lurking about lusting over you?… And who wants to make a righteous man fall?”
- He cites Hippolytus: “by the angels, he means righteous and virtuous men… that she may not lead them to stumble into fornication.”
- He references Genesis 6 as a frightening background: “it seems like angels came and laid with women… it’s kind of a scary thing to not be covered.”
- He says worldly churches see this modesty emphasis as “absurd,” wanting women to “be showing their glory to everybody.”