A theory about Adam and Eve

[Guest]

As we know, babies and small children have no sense of embarrassment or shame concerning nudity--theirs or anyone else's. Adam and Eve were in that state of innocence until they ate the fruit; the KJV doesn't say what the fruit was--it just says "fruit". Personally, I believe it was a fruit that no longer exists on earth--maybe in heaven.

Here's the theory: When they ate of the fruit, "the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Gen. 3:7; KJV. Christian naturists have wondered why they all of a sudden were ashamed of their bodies when they never had been before they sinned and disobeyed God. I have an apron which I wear with nothing else since it says, "Nude Cookin' Adds Spice to Life", and it only covers the front of my body and leaves the back bare, but that's beside the point.

I believe that a possible explanation is that their purpose of the aprons of fig leaves was not to cover the nakedness of their bodies but to make them blend in with the background like a chameleon. Their thinking possibly was that if they could hide themselves sufficiently God wouldn't see them, and their sin would be hidden. I do not believe that they were trying to hide the nakedness of their bodies but the nakedness of their sin.

So my theory is that they covered their bodies and "hid themselves" as a small child will hide in an effort to escape the disapproval and chastisement of a Father.

Although God called out and asked, "Adam, where art thou", it was not because God didn't know where he and Eve were, but it was because He wanted his children to come to Him and confess what they had done. Of course, they didn't escape the consequenses of their actions, but I believe that the punishment could have been far worse. God could have rejected them and started over.

Be nude and have fun. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Guest]

As we know, babies and small children have no sense of embarrassment or shame concerning nudity--theirs or anyone else's. Adam and Eve were in that state of innocence until they ate the fruit; the KJV doesn't say what the fruit was--it just says "fruit". Personally, I believe it was a fruit that no longer exists on earth--maybe in heaven.

Here's the theory: When they ate of the fruit, "the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Gen. 3:7; KJV. Christian naturists have wondered why they all of a sudden were ashamed of their bodies when they never had been before they sinned and disobeyed God. I have an apron which I wear with nothing else since it says, "Nude Cookin' Adds Spice to Life", and it only covers the front of my body and leaves the back bare, but that's beside the point.

I believe that a possible explanation is that their purpose of the aprons of fig leaves was not to cover the nakedness of their bodies but to make them blend in with the background like a chameleon. Their thinking possibly was that if they could hide themselves sufficiently God wouldn't see them, and their sin would be hidden. I do not believe that they were trying to hide the nakedness of their bodies but the nakedness of their sin.

So my theory is that they covered their bodies and "hid themselves" as a small child will hide in an effort to escape the disapproval and chastisement of a Father.

Although God called out and asked, "Adam, where art thou", it was not because God didn't know where he and Eve were, but it was because He wanted his children to come to Him and confess what they had done. Of course, they didn't escape the consequenses of their actions, but I believe that the punishment could have been far worse. God could have rejected them and started over.

Be nude and have fun. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[gamblefish]

Yeah, I believe that too Jon. We know that they knew they were naked before but now (vs. 7) they see things in a different way...their "eyes" were opened. Fear and shame entered in along with sin. But we know that perfect love casts out fear. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I've also read that some believe Adam and Eve were clothed in light (Ps. 104:2, Matt. 17:2) and that when they sinned the light went out, leaving them totally exposed. Jesus is referred to as our "covering" for sin (Rom. 4:7), clothing us in His righteousness. Could it be?

[Guest]

Psalm 104:2 is speaking of God covering HIMSELF with light as with a garment. It says nothing about mere mortals.

Matthew 17:2 speaks of JESUS Whose face shone as the sun, and His garment was as white as the light.

We have to careful about taking scripture that refers to the Father or the Son and applying them to us.

Of course, we are covered with the righteousness of Christ once we accept Him as our Saviour, and God doesn't see our sin when He looks at us; He sees the righteousness of His Son.

Although white robes are mentioned in Revelation, it is possible that we will wear nothing but the righteousness of Jesus Christ in heaven. Since we will once again be innocent and free from the presence of sin, and therefore free from sinful desires, perhaps physical clothing will no longer be necessary. Nudists for eternity! Hey! I could live with that!

Be nude and have fun. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Bob S.]

Interesting theory. Never thought about it before. Using the natural flora to hide themselves within the garden ala camouflage.

I also do not believe that they were hiding their nakedness. The way I see it, Adam and Eve hid from their Father because they disobeyed Him, just as childlen would hide from their parents after doing something wrong.

I'm glad we think alike on this. Any chance there will be a nudist-friendly translation of the Bible?

Bob S.

[Guest]

We are constantly getting new so-called translations and versions of the Bible because people don't like it the way it is. I've always prefered the King James myself. The only problem I have with it are the archaic words that we no longer use, and to which no one knows the meanings.

However, there are a lot of what I would call perversions where the meanings have been drastically changed by changing words and trying to make them more understandable to people who don't want to take the time to do a little studying and actually learn something.

I'm not sure what you mean by nudist friendly. There's nothing in the Bbile that teaches against social nudity. It is certainly more nudist friendly than society is.

Be nude and have fun. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[gamblefish]

Jon, I did not mean to apply those scriptures (Ps.104:2, Matt.17:2) to us, but to Adam and Eve. I meant them as an example of light being used as a garment.


Do you remember when Moses (a mere mortal) came down from Mt. Horeb in Exd. 34? Moses had been face to face with God, and when he returned his face shone with light so much so that the "children of Isreal" were afraid to come near him. I believe that Adam and Eve were "face to face" with God in the same way every day. They must have reflected the glory of God from every pore of their being.


While I think they were trying to hide their sin from God and not their nakedness, I still wrestle with this passage. God asks Adam, "Who told you that you are naked?". It seems to me that before the knowledge of good and evil, nakedness was ok. But now that they have the knowledge of what it is to be naked, that it is not ok. What are your thoughts?

[Guest]

Yes, Moses' face shown from being in the presence of God. He had seen God from the back since no one could see the face of God and live. I have no idea why. I'm sure that was the case with Adam and Eve.

As for God asking who had told them they were naked, I think this was the same as asking "Where art thou?" He wanted them to confess their sin. He was bringing them to that point. Eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil gave them knowledge they hadn't had before.

If God didn't see anything wrong with their nudity before they disobeyed Him, why should He see anything wrong with it after? I still believe that they covered themselves with leaves as camouflage in an effort to hide from God. Of course, it is possible that their attitude changed concerning nudity, and that mankind inherited that shame.

Be nude and have fun. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[gamblefish]

Yeah, I think you're right. Their attitude changed when they received knowledge of good and evil. Then it would follow that evil existed somewhere. Since everything God created was good then evil would have to be in the perception or usage of that creation. Something can be good but used for evil. For example, a kitchen knife is good to cut meat or whatever but can also be used to murder someone. Nudity can be good but the perversion of nudity is harmful.

[Guest]

Very true. While I'm in favor of public nudity being legal and accepted because I know nudity is natural, there are those strange men who walk around in a long coat with nothing under it exposing themselves to unsuspecting women and children. That sort of behavior only turns society against nudity--period! Also, I'm not in favor of nudists congregating in the nude in a public place to force their nudity on those who don't want to see it.

Well we seem to have gotten away from the topic, but it's my topic so I guess I can do it if I want. What more can be said about why Adam's and Eve's perspective concerning the nude body changed? It had to be because of their sin. The body didn't suddenly become obscene when it wasn't before.

Be nude and have fun. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Guest]

My take on the Adam and Eve and nakedness thing is that sex was the fruit (apple ) of the "Tree Of Knowledge"hence the covering of the offending parts with the fig leaves and the pain of childbirth etc. that resulted.

[Guest]

Are you saying that God has forbidden sex even between husband and wife? How do you know that they even had sex before the fall? Gen. 4:1 is the first place that says that Adam "knew" his wife. This refers to an intimate relationship, and it's AFTER the fall.

In Gen. 3:7 it says, "they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." It doesn't say they specifically wanted to cover their genitals. I still like the idea that they covered themselves with leaves as camouflage to blend in with the foliage in a feeble effort to hide from God.

Be nude and have fun. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Yes... I believe sex, as we know it, was the forbidden fruit.

[Guest]

So sex grew on a tree! Very interesting! It's too bad we don't have any of those trees still around. Whenever you wanted some you just go to the tree and pick it!

Anyway, be nude and have fun! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Symbolism.....If it actually grew on trees and we could pick it any time we wanted....Im afraid the trees would be bare along with us. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]