Men with Long Hair?
Yes, I am aware that I Corinthians 11:4-7 states that men should not have long hair. (And yes, the language is particularly clear in the KJV.) However, I believe this to be cultural, and not a moral law from God. And furthermore, I have scriptural evidence to back this up. So, if you're still with me here, we can take a look at this.Judges chapters 13-16 tell the story of a man of God named Samson. He was human and therefore fallible, but God used him and his strength to defend his people.
So you're saying, "Big deal, I know Samson was one of the Old Testament heroes." The big deal, and the reason I mention this, is because in Judges 13:5 God specifically ordered his parents that "No razor may be used on his head." (Yes, for you KJV-Onlyists, that is from NIV, but the KJV says the same thing.) So, if it is morally wrong for a man to have long hair, then why does God not only condone, but order it here? The answer: it is not morally wrong! Paul was asking the Corinthians not to rudely violate the cultural standards; he was not laying down a moral law.In addition to that --- and this applies to several other things I intend to talk about --- I have a hard time believing that the God who said "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (I Samuel 16:7 NIV) is so vitally concerned with so purely external an issue as the length of a person's hair. If, indeed, this is a moral law, where does it fit into the two? If you don't know what I'm talking about, Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40 that the entire Law and Prophets boil down to two things: namely "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." So, where does the length of your hair fit into that? I, personally, don't see it.
Body piercing?I am aware of only one place the Bible directly addresses this topic. That is in Exodus 21:6 "then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life" (NIV). So, the one place the Bible addresses the topic of body-piercing, is, under certain circumstances, order it. True, this particular passage only mentions ear-piercing, but the basic principle is there. If God orders it for this situation, it cannot be morally wrong in general.
Another interesting passage is Genesis 24:22 "When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels" (NIV). Here, Abraham's servent presents Rebekah, Isaac's future wife with a gift of two bracelets and a nose ring. Presumably, this nose ring was meant to be worn, probably much like those worn today. So, Abraham, his servent and Rebekah all endorsed or at least approved of nose rings. Remember, all of these were followers of God.So, it would appear that ear and nose piercing have clear Biblical approval. I don't think it would be too much of a stretch to extend this to body piercing in general. Now, purely as personal advice, that if one chooses to get body piercing(s) be sure to get it done professionally at a place that uses clean, sterile equipment. Remember, if you are a Christian, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, so take good care of it (I Cor. 6:19).