The next installment from the “Objections” video series comes from 1 Timothy 2:9-10. This is an often quoted passage to encourage modest dress in primarily females. But is that the real message in the text? This short video explains our feelings on the matter.
Mrs. Phil and I have written previously on this blog about modesty:
What passes today for modesty can easily become a false modesty or even a source of pride. Granted many of the proponents of modesty are well intentioned and their motives may be pure, but in our opinion, the general practice is not serving the purpose it claims to address. And with arbitrary standards of what is modest enough, one could go all the way and have a full covering burka, taking that logic to its natural (though unnatural) conclusion.
We have chosen to go the opposite way, because if the logic of the body as obscene is wrong, then the natural conclusion would be that body is and can be right in any state of dress and even undress. This is untenable for some because of indoctrination, tradition, and hyper-conservatism. It takes an open mind and courage to reject lies and embrace truth.
And the truth… sets one free! (John 8:32)
See all “Objections” series blogs and videos here.
Aching for Eden 
Nudity now has implications of sinfulness attached to it. With few exceptions, the Bible presents nakedness as shameful and degrading (Genesis 9:21; Exodus 20:26; 32:25; 2 Chronicles 28:19; Isaiah 47:3; Ezekiel 16:35-36; Luke 8:27; Revelation 3:17; 16:15; 17:16). The only passages in which nudity is free of shame are those that describe Eden’s idyllic setting or that deal with marital relations (Proverbs 5:18-19; Song of Solomon 4).
We still live in a fallen world, surrounded by lust, immorality, and perversion. The innocence of Eden is gone. Naturist philosophy ignores the results of the fall. Even in “asexual” contexts, public displays of nudity dishonor God by pretending an innocence that no longer exists. A Christian should definitely not be a nudist or participate in nudist activities.
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Thanks for writing. Stay tuned as we take a close look at all of those passages you mention. We are indeed in a fallen world surrounded by lust. We are also surrounded by dishonesty. Do we have no hope of conquering lying or honesty in a fallen world? If we can overcome many sins in a fallen world, why not lust? We don’t ignore the results of the fall. We choose not to ignore the power of God to be greater than the evil one.
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Greg, I would recommend a more in-depth study of what the Bible says on this topic. Just for the first passage that you referenced, there are plenty of resources available that delve into this passage explaining how this is not a simple issue of a nude body being seen (as many have been taught).
There are many resources available to help you in your studies, many of which are listed on this site, but I would highly recommend the book, Redeemed Vision (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999670506/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_AQA3TPKDTR39V7D94JN0), because of its discussion about our minds bing redeemed from a lustful way of thinking.
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Thanks for that book recommendation. Haven’t read that, but just ordered it to read and then possibly list it on our resources page. I love the title!
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