Collars & Calluses

A sermon by Rich Lusk.

Bill and Rich discuss the debate over women wearing head coverings in worship, focusing on 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 and its interpretive, pastoral, and historical challenges. They argue the passage is complex, connected to broader Corinthian issues like slogans, worship order, and gender confusion, and they question whether “praying and prophesying” refers to leading in worship, especially in light of 1 Corinthians 14. Both state they do not believe an additional fabric covering is compulsory, emphasizing that 1 Corinthians 11:15 presents a woman’s long hair as her God-given covering and that Paul grounds his reasoning in creation and “nature,” not mere culture. They note practical problems with making coverings a liturgical mandate, including implications of sin, unity, and modesty, and they dispute claims of uniform historical practice. For questions, email [email protected]; Bill is @wrs2_ and Rich is @Vicar1973. Head Coverings: What are We Missing? by Jeff Meyers https://theopolisinstitute.com/head-coverings-what-are-we-missing/

Bill and Rich introduce Collars and Calluses, a “working theology for young men,” then conclude their series addressing Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism by focusing on praying to Mary and the saints, which they say is drawing some Protestant young men online. They outline how these traditions venerate and petition canonized saints—especially Mary as “queen of heaven”—framing it as part of the communion of saints and citing Hebrews 12, Revelation, and the Transfiguration. Rich argues the practice is non-apostolic, lacks biblical warrant, is forbidden as contacting the dead, and implies divine attributes like omniscience/omnipresence, making it idolatrous; Christians should pray directly to God through Christ. They discuss Marian doctrines (sinlessness, Immaculate Conception distinctions, perpetual virginity, Assumption), affirm “Theotokos,” warn against excessive Marian prayers, note typology (Mary as Ark/new Eve) with limits, and emphasize honoring Mary rightly and the virgin birth’s gospel meaning. Contact: [email protected]. X: @wrs2_ and @Vicar1973.

A series of sermons by Pastor Bill Smith contrasting the Protestant position with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Bill and Rich of Collars and Calluses continue a Protestant critique of Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, focusing on icons and images and their online appeal to young men as “masculine” churches. They describe how icons are prominent in Orthodox worship and treated as essential dogma, with Second Nicaea and the “Triumph of Orthodoxy” condemning iconoclasts, and argue the early church lacked icon veneration for the first 300 years and was historically divided. They contend veneration is an extra-biblical requirement added to the gospel and that distinctions like latria vs. proskynesis/dulia fail because the Second Commandment forbids the bodily act of bowing or kissing images regardless of intent. They emphasize seeking God where He promises to be found—Word and Sacraments—not icons, and warn listeners to think carefully before leaving Protestantism; next episode will address Mariology. Contact: [email protected]; On X - Bill: @wrs2_; Rich: @Vicar1973.