Public Nudity. Doctrinal Conviction of Pastor-Teacher Paul B. Phair and Elder Team Policy. Elder Board Policy

Transcription

1 Public Nudity Also referred to as Social Nudism: Men and women (both married and unmarried) and their children being together completely naked for non-sexual social and recreational purposes. rev Doctrinal Conviction of Pastor-Teacher Paul B. Phair and Elder Team Policy Elder Board Policy Policy: We admonish those who profess faith in Jesus Christ and are identified with the life and ministry of our congregation to never participate in any form of public nudity, including nudist communities. We do not regard public nudity as a gray issue in which Christians are free to develop their personal convictions and adopt their own practice. Those who are unwilling to forgo such practices are not eligible for membership. Members who engage in this activity will be graciously yet clearly taught and warned to display modesty; those who will not are eligible for the church discipline process. Though we have no formal authority over nonmembers, those who claim to be Christians, and are identified with the congregation of Oakwood Community Church, will be similarly admonished. If they continue their practice, we will privately ask them to no longer worship with Oakwood or engage in any of Oakwood s ministries or fellowship settings. Moral Conviction of Dr. Paul B. Phair, Senior Pastor Summary of Biblical & Logical Rationale: There are naturalists who contend that they are adopting an attitude and practice that was originally ordained by God before the fall. However, we are not yet living in paradise regained; the Lord will inaugurate the new heavens and earth. Until then, we are still living in a fallen world. The biblical evidence is quite clear that in this present world, public nakedness, even if it could be completely non-sexual is still a shameful practice. See the attached sheet that provides several Biblical examples of the shamefulness of public nakedness. Nudists often claim that after extensive exposure to viewing naked bodies (and the natural accompanying lust), they eventually experience a lessening of lustful thoughts. Biblically, what is more likely occurring is a searing of their conscience (1 Tim 4:2). Since we still live in a fallen world, we need to take precautions against inappropriate exposure of our bodies. Even if it were possible for us to completely purify our thoughts,

2 2 we can be certain that most others will not be able to do so. Therefore, even if our convictions and our conduct with regards to public nudity were a true liberty, we are not to allow our liberty to cause another believer to follow our practice and thereby sin (Romans 14:12 15:1). Furthermore a wise and loving believer would never willfully present his or her body to others in such a way (whether scantily clothed or fully nude) that it would increase the level of their temptation to lust. The Lord graciously provided clothing for Adam & Eve following the fall. Since then, appropriate clothing and modesty is expected among God s people. 1 Timothy 2:9, Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly. Note also Exodus 28: There is no biblical evidence that instructs, encourages, or even suggests we are liberated in Christ to adopt a nudist mentality and practice. One nudist I read states that the onus is on non-nudists to prove that the Bible plainly condemns public nudity. Throughout Scripture, from the very fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis (3:7, 21) on through Revelation (16:15) it is clear that public nudity is a shameful condition. It is up to the nudist to show clear evidence that God encourages the practice of public nudity which humans instinctively know to be shameful and which God Himself repeatedly describes as shameful. It simply cannot be done. It is interesting to note that in all the descriptions of the appearances of angels, they wore clothing. This is also true of Jesus at His transfiguration and post-resurrection appearances. Some might argue that God s plan in the new age, would be for His people to return to a pre-fallen state of nakedness without shame. We have no evidence that this will be the case. At a minimum it can be said that these glorified manifestations were clothed as a consideration to our present fallen world. We would do well to follow their example. Natural revelation reveals that public nudity is shameful. Most people know instinctively that there is something wrong about its practice. That is why many nudists insist on respecting the anonymity of their fellow practitioners. It is not possible for a believer to function as Christ s light of purity to the world while participating in what even nonbelievers regard as immoral, inappropriate, or bizarre behavior. A wise and earnest follower of Christ would not insist on engaging in an activity that is commonly regarded as immoral or at best inappropriate and shameful by the culture in which he or she lives (Romans 1:24, 26-32; 1 Cor. 11:14). Romans 12:17 Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable (NLT). The practice of public nudity dishonors the reputation of Christ and His people (1 Peter ). The apostle Paul states that all forms of sexual impurity (porneia) are totally contrary to what it means to be a Christ-follower. Therefore, the conduct of believers is not to

3 3 suggest to others even a hint of impropriety (Eph 5:3-4). The principles of Titus 2:5-10 apply to the practice of public nudity: live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely in all they do. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won't have anything bad to say about us. Slaves must obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way (NLT).

4 4 Public Nakedness; A sampling of Scriptural references pertaining to its shamefulness NAS 95 unless otherwise indicated Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. After Adam and Eve s fall, they knew they were naked and they clothed themselves with leaves (Gen 3:7). Shortly after, God graciously provided them a better covering, an animal skin. Gen 9:20-25 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father's nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. So he said, "Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brothers." He also said, "Blessed be the LORD, The God of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant. "May God enlarge Japheth, And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; And let Canaan be his servant." Noah became drunk and shamefully exposed his nakedness before his sons. The text indicates that Noah became angry with Ham, presumably because he disrespectfully revealed his shameful condition to his brothers. However, the text is also quite clear that all three of his sons, including the two Noah blessed, regarded their father s condition as shameful. In fact they discretely sought to protect others from seeing Noah s shameful condition. Le 20:19 'You shall also not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister or of your father's sister, for such a one has made naked his blood relative; they will bear their guilt. Presumably, except in special circumstances such as intimacy in marriage and the care of children, exposure of one s nakedness is a shameful thing. 1 Sam 19:24 He also stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" One nudists I read, sited this text as an example of acceptable public nakedness. The exact meaning is uncertain. It would not be wise to build a case for public nakedness on this highly unusual example. It was not a custom for prophets of the Lord to prophesy naked. Yet, Saul s conduct is compared to a prophet. In what way was he acting similarly? What he likely removed were his outer royal robes or military clothing while retaining his underclothing. Secondly, his activity of prophesying all day and night was similar to what other prophets were doing. Knowing what we do of Saul, it seems improbable that his activity was truly guided by God s Spirit. Saul also consorted with evil spirits! 2 Samuel 6:14-23 David danced with only a priestly tunic on. Michal thought his behavior and scant clothing was indecent. Apparently the Lord thought David s dancing honored Him, for Michal

5 5 remained childless throughout her life. David was not naked however. I would not want to build a case from this text that exposure is ordinarily acceptable in the sight of God. Isa 20:2 at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet." And he did so, going naked and barefoot. Isa 20:3 And the LORD said, "Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and token against Egypt and Cush, Isa 20:4 so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. I ve read some nudists who claim that examples in Scripture such as this one support the Lord s approval of nakedness. Yes, the Lord gave the unusual command to Isaiah that he should publicly disrobe. God did not do so in order to illustrate his approval of public nudity. Rather, Isaiah served as a walking prophecy to God s people that as Isaiah s nakedness was shameful, so too they would be exposed to similar shame because of their sin against Him. La 4:21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, Who dwells in the land of Uz; But the cup will come around to you as well, You will become drunk and make yourself naked. Drunkenness leads people to do foolish things such as exposing one s nakedness that is a shameful act. Eze 16:39 "I will also give you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your shrines, demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare. Eze 23:29 'They will deal with you in hatred, take all your property, and leave you naked and bare. And the nakedness of your harlotries will be uncovered, both your lewdness and your harlotries. Ho 2:3 Or I will strip her naked And expose her as on the day when she was born. I will also make her like a wilderness, Make her like desert land And slay her with thirst. Mic 1:11 Go on your way, inhabitant of Shaphir, in shameful nakedness. It is shameful to have one s nakedness exposed. Mark 9:2 Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. (Also Mt 17:1-4; Lk 9:28ff). It is interesting that in Jesus transfiguration where He displayed His glorified body and being, that He was clothed. I don t know if there will be clothing in the new heavens and the new earth, but at a minimum it can be said that at least as a concession to our present fallen world that a clothed glorified body is necessary. When angles revealed themselves in a glorious condition, we are never told they are naked. Instead angels are often described as wearing brilliant white clothing.

6 6 John 21:7 was cited by one nudist to indicate that Peter was fishing naked without shame. However, the Greek text says that Peter put on a garment which scholars agree denotes an outer garment. Hence the NAS translates it well went it says, Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 1 Cor 12:23 NLT And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen, Although Paul is not intending to teach about the human body, but merely using it to make an analogy, he presumes that clothing of certain parts of the body is only appropriate. It seems that Paul takes for granted that this is truth that all people grasp through general revelation. 2 Co 5:3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. Paul is not speaking of literal nakedness in this context, but of our souls longing to be clothed with glorified bodies. However, his analogy is that literal nakedness is not a normal nor desirable state. Rev 16:15 ("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.") This NT verse expresses the same theme concerning nakedness as the OT does. It is shameful to expose one s nakedness in public. Duplication of this material is permissible if not for monitary gain Casey Rd Tampa FL (813) office@oakwoodfl.org Web: Paul Phair has served as Senior Pastor of Oakwood Community Church since He earned a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is married to Bev; they have two married children.