Ecclesiology and Beards 2
So far, so good. Ian’s suggestion bears out my hypothesis Thank you, Ian!
Now who’s next in the parade of the ecclesiastical beardies? Let me see… ah yes! What about your original hairy Franciscan, Fr Richard Rohr? I think that proves my point.
Then let’s not forget Mr Emergent church himself – Brian McLaren. On the other hand, he does seem to be resisting all attempts to classify him. Let’s have another go. Oh, what happened there? Bang goes my theory.
When I was at theological college, there was a trend among some of the (male) ordinands to have beard-growing competitions. Perhaps it was something to do with trying to look serious and of theological weight. Knowing the people involved, it definitely wasn’t an attempt to move further up the candle.
Maybe the length of the beard is an indication of the number of books or papers they intend to write?
The women, on the other hand, prefer to keep their options open, not commit themselves to a lifetime of publishing, and then their books are a surprise when they are published.
No, I’m not sure my theory is working either.
Nope. Mine’s definitely going down the pan. Given that Mr M’s original observations were made through a happy haze of scotch, maybe his judgement wasn’t as sharp as it should have been. I shall have to do my own beard count in church tomorrow.