Christian Yooper Naturist

buddabelly98@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE, NAKEDNESS, AND THE CHRISTIAN NUDIST The Bible and nakedness: The Bible never describes human nakedness as being *inherently* shameful or *inherently* sinful. 1. Mankind was created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1.27), "naked and unashamed" (Genesis 2.25). 2. After they sinned, mankind covered themselves out of fear, not shame (Genesis 3.10). God mercifully clothed mankind out of physical necessity, not moral necessity (Genesis 3.17-19, 23-24). 3. Except where forbidden in formal worship by specific religious or cultural conventions (examples: Exodus 20.26, 28.42-43, 1Corinthians 11.5-6, 1Timothy 2.9-10), there are no Biblical prohibitions of nakedness. 4. Wherever shame is associated with nakedness in the Bible, it is: a. shame due to sinful conduct found in conjunction with nakedness (examples: Genesis 9.20-25, Jeremiah 13.26, Ezekiel 23.29-30, Nahum 3.5-6, Habakkuk 2.15-16); b. shame due to status as vanquished people (examples: Isaiah 20.4, 47.3, Micah 1.11); c. figuratively, shame due to spiritual deficiency (examples: Revelation 3.17-18, 16.15). 5. The act of "clothing the naked" spoken about in both the Old and New Testaments refers to the provision of physical needs, not moral needs (examples: Isaiah 58.7, Ezekiel 18.7, 18.16, Job 31.19, Matthew 25.36-43, James 2.15-16). 6. Though physical clothing is regarded as a moral necessity in our worldly society, such is not taught by the Bible. By contrast, the Bible teaches the *ineffectuality* of external prohibitions based on "human commands and teachings" in controlling sinful desires (Colossians 2.20-23). It instructs the redeemed to "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13.14, Galatians 3.26-27). Holy conduct results from the internal work of the Holy Spirit, not external rules (John 14.16-17, Galatians 5.22-24, Hebrews 8.10). The Bible and nakedness for the Christian nudist: Christians who choose to be naked in the presence of others must do so appropriately. 1. Their motives must be pure (1Chronicles 28.9, Proverbs 16.2, 21.2, Hebrews 4.12-13). 2. Their activities must be honorable and glorifying to God (1Corinthians 6.19-20, 10.31, 1Thessalonians 4.3-7); loving and respectful of others (Romans 14.12-15.1, 1Corinthians 8.9); and legal (Romans 13.1-7, 1Peter 2.11-16). "THE BIBLE, NAKEDNESS, AND THE CHRISTIAN NUDIST" is from Fig Leaf Forum, a newsletter for Bible-believing Christian nudists Fig Leaf Forum