http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/june2011/paulw63.htm

Doves,

We need to look to our Creator and Saviour for guidance in the question of nudity and all other things. I felt moved to write on this subject for those who may be tempted to view nudity as simply a matter of art, disregarding the Creator's clear instructions in His Word.

"And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Gen. 2:25 (NASB)

Clearly, the OT teaches that originally, before the Fall, Adam and his wife, Eve, were naked and unashamed.

Later, after the banishment from Eden, when man and woman were no longer innocent we read:

"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 is 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.' " Gen. 9:22-25 (NASB)

Clearly, the exhibition of nakedness after the Fall was and is considered shameful and highly disregarded by Noah. The father's nakedness is an example of this that speaks generally, I think, for nakedness of anyone.

In the last book of the Bible, we read that the attitude shown by Noah towards nakedness has not changed at all. In Revelation, we read the following:

"I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may become rich, and white garments, so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed;..." Rev. 3:18

Clearly, God in the last book of the NT treats nakedness as shameful.

We must remember that the world, such as the statues of the pagan Greeks, e.g. David in Florence, etc., are of the world. The advice and guidance of God's Word is not of this world and the natural men and women of the world. Spiritual advice is clearly rejected by the world, since it is governed ultimately by the present god of this world, Satan, who is in rebellion with our true Creator and God.

"But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." 1 Cor. 2:14 (NASB)

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." 1 Cor. 3:16-17 (NASB)

We should keep a close guard on what we think and let enter by way of the eyes and other senses. To abandon our responsibility for Christian oversight of our senses, is to neglect clear teachings in the Word, at our own peril.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there be any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Phil. 4:8 (NASB)

The case for the acceptance of artful nudity Is based on worldly arguments, I.e., locker room, skinny dipping, Greek statues, etc., not taken from the Word of God which is our guide as we live for Christ. While many in the world see the Word as foolishness, and fail to understand that fallen man can easily fall into deeper sinfulness when tempted, even slightly, we as Christians do understand these things.

The human form is a temple of God's Spirit and is clearly to be enjoyed by husband and wife. Outside of marriage, there are situations that clearly make nudity acceptable, e.g., medical examinations, and bathing in privacy. However, to place oneself outside the clear teaching of the Word, and show and view nudity, e.g., in art, public swimming, etc., is to ignore clear Bible teachings and principles. We, as Christians, all need to stand up and speak out against such actions and arguments.

Satan and his fallen angels do enjoy human nudity. This is taught in the Word, e.g., Gen. 6:1-5, where the Sons of God and the daughters of men bore children. God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. God, of course, was sorry He made man and sent the Flood to destroy mankind, except for Noah and his family.

The bottom line in all of this, for me anyway, is that viewing the nudity of others with impunity and disregard, based on the appreciation of beauty that God intended for man and wife, and in disregard for the teachings in the Word, is asking for serious spiritual, and maybe even physical, trouble. Remember that God, who loves us even when we stray, can chasten believers, as well as unbelievers, who willfully and presumptuously violate His clear guidance for man.

Enough said. I pray that the teachings of God in His Word will fall on receptive minds.

YBIC,

Robert