What the Bible says about clothing

[Atlantis Buff]

I've studied some Bible passages about clothing. It seems that God condemns vainglorious apparrel much more than he condemns simple nudity.

There is nothing in the Bible condemning simple nudity at all, and when we are to wear clothes, we are to be encouraged to wear plain clothing. So, in all the world, there are more simsuits designed to bring attention to the body and to satisfy our vanity than not.

If anyone can point me to a plain swimsuit, I'll wear it. Otherwise, I'll just skinnydip. It seems being naked while swimming is much more accordance in the gospel than the wearing of most of today's swimsuits!

[Atlantis Buff]

I've studied some Bible passages about clothing. It seems that God condemns vainglorious apparrel much more than he condemns simple nudity.

There is nothing in the Bible condemning simple nudity at all, and when we are to wear clothes, we are to be encouraged to wear plain clothing. So, in all the world, there are more simsuits designed to bring attention to the body and to satisfy our vanity than not.

If anyone can point me to a plain swimsuit, I'll wear it. Otherwise, I'll just skinnydip. It seems being naked while swimming is much more accordance in the gospel than the wearing of most of today's swimsuits!

[sawdust]

If anyone can point me to a plain swimsuit, I'll wear it.

If you are looking for a plane swim suit I know just the place you should look. But first you will have to do the following:

1. Take off all your clothing.
2. Take a look at your self in a mirror.
3. Observe yourself, You have just found it. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Swim nude..its not crude! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Sawdust

[hm0504]

Alas, no male models yet (;-}), but...
http://www.wholesomewear.com/page-3.html

[Fresh Air]

NO!!! Not "wholesomewear"!!!

Don't do it Atlantis Buff. Don't wear it even if it is plain. If you do we'll just pretend like we don't know you...just kidding. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

It would be a trip to see someone wearing that on a nude beach. Talk about contrast. Not that they wouldn't be accepted and loved as anyother...

Fresh Air

[Atlantis Buff]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Fresh Air:
NO!!! Not "wholesomewear"!!!

Don't do it Atlantis Buff. Don't wear it even if it is plain. If you do we'll just pretend like we don't know you...just kidding. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

It would be a trip to see someone wearing that on a nude beach. Talk about contrast. Not that they wouldn't be accepted and loved as anyother...

Fresh Air <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Now that is better looking BEACHWEAR! But it will produce too much drag on the body during swimming, and probably still denser than the human body (human body .98, Water 1.00, Textiles more dense than water).

Besides, I can't afford it. Might as well go nude. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[mirth]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Atlantis Buff:
I've studied some Bible passages about clothing. It seems that God condemns vainglorious apparrel much more than he condemns simple nudity.

There is nothing in the Bible condemning simple nudity at all, and when we are to wear clothes, we are to be encouraged to wear plain clothing. So, in all the world, there are more simsuits designed to bring attention to the body and to satisfy our vanity than not.

If anyone can point me to a plain swimsuit, I'll wear it. Otherwise, I'll just skinnydip. It seems being naked while swimming is much more accordance in the gospel than the wearing of most of today's swimsuits! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[mirth]

There are two versions of the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden.

One has God Killing an animal to cloth the couple in fur. This makes God the first killer.

The other has God accosting Adam and Eve. However, it was Adam and Eve that "were embarassed by their nakedness." They elected to clothe themselves with leaves.

God made people "In His own image" therefore, when we are made nude we are more like God.

Mirth

[Fresh Air]

Even if God was "the first killer", don't think the situation was easy for Him. It can't be fun having to kill and show people how to kill your own creation. I'm sure God has hurt more from out mistakes than we will ever hurt.

Fresh Air

mirth,

I don't know what Bible you've read, but mine doesn't say anything about two versions of the Fall. Adam and Eve covered themselves with leaves as camouflage in a feeble effort to blend in with the foliage and hide from God. I have no proof to this, but that's my belief.

Because of their disobedience sin entered into the perfect environment of the Garden, and they could not be allowed to remain there.

God then killed animals to use their skins as coverings for Adam and Eve to PROTECT their bodies from the world outside that had now been cursed with thorns and other dangers because of sin.

Nowhere does it say that Adam and Eve were embarrassed by their nakedness. It says "they knew they were naked". While I know that people come up with all kinds of interpretations, I believe that (1) Adam and Eve were ashamed because of their sin. (2) This shame had nothing whatsoever to do with the nakedness of their bodies. (3) The skin coverings were for protection only and not meant to imply that their bodies were suddenly shameful.

I am in no way implying that I am correct on this, but that's the way I see and believe it.

[nudewheelchairTodd]

Jon Marc, That is what I understand in the word of God too. Adam and Eve blew it for the rest of man kind, they for one listen to what the serpent had to say and believed (from what is happening today it is just like we all do listen to something that the world is saying and fall into their trap instead of listen to what the holy spirit is tell us to protect us from harm) instead of listening and believing in what God told them, two not only they believed what satin said they fell for it, by the time they relies it was to late, like any one who did wrong especially children they try to hide them self then they lie about not doing or go blame someone else. When Adam and Eve first went to hide they hid in the bushes from them self and from God (forgetting that God already knows what happens and they can't really hide from him). So when God saw that they lied and saw that the serpent allowed satin to enter him. Surly he didn't let them go unpunished and was very sad that he had to do what he had to do. One to make the serpent crawl on his belly for the rest of time (there another meaning to this but I won't go there) Two he had to kill an animal right in front of them and tare of the skin to show they disobeyed him. Also to cover them to protect them from the changing environment outside the garden. So God didn't like cover them up but he loved them to protect them and to teach them that when he says No he means No. (Sound like what we go through) Anyway God never said that our nudity was bad just the SINS that we commit while being nude. Sorry if I'd ramble to long I just like to speak out for the lord.

[Trailscout]

I had to laugh at that Wholesome Wear. Whoever designed it has never been to the Georgia beaches in the summertime. It can be 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 100 percent humidity.

Those poor overdressed girls would pass out after 10 minutes in the July sun.

If I saw a woman wearing such foolishness, I would be polite and not snicker, but I would stand ready to administer treatment for heat shock.

[nudewheelchairTodd]

Trailscout, I don't want to be rude but I think you enter that in the wrong topic. We are talking about the bible.

[Bob S.]

Todd, read the message from hm0504 dated Jan 15 on this thread.

As for the Biblical thread, I have mentioned this a lot. Bible translations are not the pure word of G*d but instead, the translated Word. There are going to be imperfections in our imperfect language. Just look at the word naked in teh sentence, "they realized they were naked."

It could mean that they were without clothes, they were without spiritual covering, they were without protection, they were down to the basics, etc.

And now for something else I just thought about: if they were expelled from Eden, that meant that Eden was only a limited area to begin with. But why would G*d not make the whole Earth edenesque? Or did he just get rid of Eden when Adam and Eve partook of the apple. So the basic question is did Adam and Eve leave the Garden or did the Garden leave Adam and Eve?

Bob S.

[nudewheelchairTodd]

So the basic question is did Adam and Eve leave the Garden or did the Garden leave Adam and Eve?

From what it says they left the Garden and God seal it with burning swords crossinf of each other. It was there until the great flood that distoryed everthing that lived except for Norh's family. That my fellowship for the day. God Bless

[Trailscout]

Todd,

The reason that the Wholesome Wear Web site appeared on this thread is because they are Christian swimwear designers who unfortunately feel that modesty requires clothing. So they designed bathing suits for women that cover the body from neck to knee. I was joking a little bit about how hot they would be wearing all that heavy fabric in our Georgia summers, but to get serious for a moment and to get this topic back to the Bible, these ladies are struggling with a burden that God did not put on them. I think Christian teachers and pastors have come to the conclusion that the Bible opposes nudity for two primary reasons:

1. The basic shame that Adam and Eve felt about their bodies is taught as a postive example for our behavior rather than an example of how not to solve a spiritual problem by seeking a physical solution (wearing clothes)

2. In several Bible passages, we read examples where nudity is embarassing. What even pastors sometimes don't realize is that while human nature is the same down through the ages and the teachings of the Bible are universal truths, some passages of the Bible must be understood in their historical context.

The apostle Paul does teach women to dress modestly, but if we are to benefit from his advice which was originally to women living in the Roman Empire, we must answer the question, "What is considered modest in the community where we live?"

We know from Genesis that God's original standard of modesty for mankind is total nudity.
And there is nothing wrong with working to gradually return society to that original standard. Until then, Christian nudists wear clothes when the demands of society require it.

Jesus' life is the example that Christians seek to emulate. What was his example? He told us that the body is of higher value than clothing. He did not rebuke Peter when Peter was out fishing in the nude. Jesus himself was nude when he washed the disciples feet in the Upper Room.

I think the early church understood that the body is not shameful. Baptisms were done in the nude in those early days. Others have commented that some respectable Christians visited Roman baths (where nudity was common).
I think that Rev. Ilsey Boone nearly a century ago did not discover a new teaching about nudity and shame. He simply overcame the prejudices of the day to return to what the Bible has taught all along, that nudity was God's original plan for us. There is also no teaching in the Bible that clothing the body helps cover the sins of the spirit.

So while Christian nudists are to dress according to modest standards when necessary, we should also work to change society back to God's standard of modesty (nudity). There is an ongoing debate amongst us about how a Christian nudist can dress modestly at the beach. If we can't be naked, should we wear what everyone else is, or should we cover up a bit more than most folks?

[nudewheelchairTodd]

Tailscout,

now I see why u post that that make since in a lot of whys. It funny how our socity control christians in a way. From money to clothes, just like the serpent did, in the Graden of Eden.

[Evernude]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Trailscout:
We know from Genesis that God's original standard of modesty for mankind is total nudity.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>This should be the basis for the "nudist" religion. The actual religion would not be nudity, but the required state of being to properly worship would be nudity. Lots of religious groups require certain things to be worn to please God. (Jews, Mormons...etc must wear certain things as per their beliefs.) "Edenists" or "Genesists" must be nude. Make sense?

[Atlantis Buff]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Trailscout:

1. The basic shame that Adam and Eve felt about their bodies is taught as a postive example for our behavior rather than an example of how not to solve a spiritual problem by seeking a physical solution (wearing clothes)

2. In several Bible passages, we read examples where nudity is embarassing. What even pastors sometimes don't realize is that while human nature is the same down through the ages and the teachings of the Bible are universal truths, some passages of the Bible must be understood in their historical context.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Trailscout is correct. In the case of his number 2 point, Trailscout points out that there is several examples where nudity is embarrassing. This is true in the context that many of the bible passages were translated incorrectly, and some of the plain and precious things were left out. Hebrew is different from English.

However, the only bad nudity is the nudity that's been forced upon us, as forced nudity is a sign of poverty.

Nudity by choice, if practiced modestly and simply, is not a sign of poverty. I do realize that Isaiah preached to the Egyptians and the Assyrians in the nude by God's command, but that's different. The point is that Nature has given us the right to be Nude when we want to. Simple nudity practiced in modesty is the exercise of our right for the Pursuit of Happiness.

It's only that the Tradition that the body must be covered up at all times is not inspired by God nor by Nature and is a hold over from the Medieval Age.

[Atlantis Buff]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Evernude:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Trailscout:
We know from Genesis that God's original standard of modesty for mankind is total nudity.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>This should be the basis for the "nudist" religion. The actual religion would not be nudity, but the required state of being to properly worship would be nudity. Lots of religious groups require certain things to be worn to please God. (Jews, Mormons...etc must wear certain things as per their beliefs.) "Edenists" or "Genesists" must be nude. Make sense? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>This is how the Michaelite sect of Christianity worshiped. The required state of being to properly worship in the Michaelite sect was nudity. The Michaelites existed somewhere between 50 70 A.D. to 200 A.D. approximate.

[Jochanaan]

I have read that the Greek word translated "modest" in I Timothy 2:9 has nothing to do with how much skin is covered, but rather refers to the plainness of a woman's apparel. If that's correct, that verse is no proof text against nudity, especially when we include verse 10: "But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." (Take these two verses literally, and what do you get? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif )

[nudebynature]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mirth:
There are two versions of the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden.

One has God Killing an animal to cloth the couple in fur. This makes God the first killer.

The other has God accosting Adam and Eve. However, it was Adam and Eve that "were embarassed by their nakedness." They elected to clothe themselves with leaves.

God made people "In His own image" therefore, when we are made nude we are more like God.

Mirth <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>It doesn't say that God killed animals. It says he made garments of skin. It doesn't say what kind or where it came from. Gen 3:21

You could make a strong case that not only was Adam and Eve nude in the Garden of Eden but that God was as well. It is entirely circumstantial, but believable.

We learn in Gen 3:8 that God had a habit of walking in the garden in the cool of the day. We also know that God was a physical entity because Adam could hear him walking (Gen 3:8, 10). If he was a spirit he would not have made noise.

We know that Adam and Eve were naked at this time because they did not cover themselves until after they had sinned.

Assuming that Adam and Eve met God face to face and that they were made in His image, we can probably assume that God was nude too. It says nothing about clothing until later.

If God was clothed and Adam and Eve weren't they would have had knowledge of clothes before the ate the fruit. God knew that they had sinned because they were clothed.

Surely, if God was clothed, Adam and Eve would have questioned him and wanted clothes for themselves.

It may be a weak case, but it is believable. I picture God as being naked. At least, Michelangelo sees it my way!
/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
If God wanted us to be naked, we'd be born that way.