How do we know if a biblical instruction is cultural or universal?

Some things in the Bible are universal—principles for all people of all time. Other things are culturally relative—specific applications for certain people in certain times and places. We work hard with careful reading not to mix this up—not turning specific applications into universal principles, nor letting universal principles be dismissed as mere cultural applications.

Let’s consider women’s head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16

Firstly, read the context. Summarize the surrounding chapters with one or two short sentences each.

Here’s my summary of chapters 8–10, as an example. Chapter 8 is a discussion about eating food that had been part of a sacrifice in a pagan temple. We are free to do so, but simultaneously must be careful not to hurt others. In chapter 9 St. Paul uses himself as an example of giving up his freedom to avoid that danger. Not only can eating food sacrificed to idols hurt others, but it could even hurt ourselves if it draws us into too close an association with those temples, so in chapter 10 St. Paul warns us to flee from the worship of idols.

Secondly, summarize the topic of that context in one sentence, like this: “All of this discussion centers on self-selective restraining of freedom in consideration of others.”

Thirdly, summarize the verses we are studying with one short sentence, such as: “Men and women should show respect in church through their hairstyles.”

Finally, see if you can relate the current verses to the larger picture. Keep trying new sentences and expressions until it seems to fit. For example: “Chapters 8–10 applied the principle of restraining freedom to the culturally relative issues of pagan temples and food. Chapter 11 applies that principle to the issue of Christian churches and clothing.” We can then conclude chapter 11 is another culturally relative application of the universal principle written earlier.

This process is why it is so important to read the Bible in large chunks rather than pulling out a few verses and staring at one piece of the puzzle all alone! And like a puzzle, it’s too hard to do in your head. You have to do it on paper and keep working at it.

We don’t have to worry about meat or hair length; those aren’t issues for us. Yet all Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. How then does this principle—Our public presentation should not offend others but rather promote a respect for authority and the conscience of our neighbor—and these examples train us in Christian living today?

Contrary to arguments that hairstyles and clothing choices are purely subjective, St. Paul believes that fashion speaks loudly—on which point today’s artists and designers would actually agree! But today’s designers want your clothing choices to be provocative and revolutionary, while St. Paul wants you to make choices that maintain decorum. This isn’t a purely individual decision, but ought to respect the customs in the place and time where we live.

For one example, our cultural customs involve men removing their hats as a sign of respect while singing our national anthem. If we respect our flag in that way, we should no less respect our God in that same cultural way during a church service.

What other examples can you think of as to how our public presentation in our fashion choices should show respect for authority and the conscience of our neighbor?