It is no secret that modesty is one of my “pet†issues – my proverbial soapbox. And, it will probably come as no surprise that a book on that topic has been on my Amazon wish list for months. But, I was only recently able to get my hands on it! Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America, by Jeff Pollard, is a small book (the author often refers to it as an article), and could be a very quick read. However, there is a lot of thought-provoking information contained in just 74 pages! So, I took a little extra time as I read, because I wanted to really think through some of the ideas and challenges to modern thinking presented in this little book.
Even within the church, controversy and confusion surrounds the issue of Christian (biblical) modesty. And, though some will judge this book to be far too conservative, or legalistic, others will say that it is too liberal, and does not go far enough. It is the stated purpose of this book, not to add to the confusion, or to stir up controversy, but to provoke fellow believers (men and women alike) to “love and good works†(Heb. 10:24) in this area.
Pollard begins by carefully defining Christian modesty in this way:
“Christian modesty is the inner self-government, rooted in a proper understanding of one’s self before God, which outwardly displays itself in humility and purity from a genuine love for Jesus Christ, rather than in self-glorification or self-advertisement. Christian modesty then will not publicly expose itself in sinful nakedness.†(pg. 22)
The first few chapters deal specifically with the history of clothing, and modesty in general. Pointing to God as the “Originator and Designer of clothing†(pg. 23), he looks to several biblical examples which, he says indicate “the purpose and function of clothing and the approximate area of the body that clothes were designed to cover.†(pg. 23) He uses these examples (ranging from the good nakedness of man at creation, to the need for covering man’s shame after the fall, to priestly garments, to the clothing that Christ himself wore on earth, to the robes of those already in Heaven) to illustrate that while Scripture may not offer a black-and-white command in regards to style of dress, “It appears then that the Bible does offer us a standard for covering the body….The Old and New Testaments reveal that God’s earthly and heavenly people wore garments that covered them from at least the neck-to-below the knee.†(pg. 28)
Using this principle (of covering the body from the neck-to-below the knee) as a guide, the rest of the book deals specifically with the evolution of modern swimwear, and how it is connected to our changing perceptions of modesty and immodesty.
“Exposing the male or female body, which should be covered, is out of harmony with the Biblical model. Moreover, since exposing the privates is shameful, it seems obvious that clothing which emphasizes or purposely draws attention to these areas of the body is likewise shameful and immodest. And modern swimwear is the epitome of these things – by design.†(pg. 34)
He carefully chronicles, using mainly secular sources, how swimwear fashions have changed throughout recent decades. Through his descriptions, he easily points out how, with each new season, swimsuits have become increasingly more revealing. “The metamorphosis of the bathing suit forced our society to reassess its views of modesty.†(pg. 42)
Throughout the book, Pollard challenges areas that most Christians (pastors, teachers, and lay-people alike) view as “Christian liberty†or “a thing indifferent.†(pg. 47) And, he asks his readers to honestly assess and consider the dichotomy we have created in which “people who sit in church on Sunday decrying public immorality, while remaining unaware that the garment they will wear to the next retreat would have landed them in jail for nakedness a few decades ago!†(pg. 47)
First on his list of “Christian liberties,†beach trips, water parks, and backyard swim parties – all common, and seemingly “innocentâ€Â summertime destinations for church youth groups around the country. But, he points out that 60 years ago, a woman wearing what is now considered by many (within the church, especially) to be a “modest†one-piece bathing suit would have been arrested for indecent exposure. (pg. 47)  Yet, many pastors, youth workers, and parents promote, and even encourage these activities in the name of evangelism or spiritual encoragement. But, Pollard poses a question that should be given careful thought and consideration:
“Given that modern swimsuits were designed to promote public nakedness and remain the most revealing form of clothing, why do so many Christians wear them in mixed company and encourage their young people to do so?†(pg. 45)Â
He also addresses another area often classified under “Christian liberty†– the media, specifically television and movies. “The media’s impact in selling nakedness to the American public is difficult to exaggerate. Although the printed page once exerted considerable power of men’s minds, cinema and television dramatically eclipsed it.†(pg. 57) Hollywood is certainly not neutral. It wields great influence in the way people think about fashion, style, and has long been a factor in the “sex sells†mentality.
While most lay the burden of responsibility for modesty on the woman, Pollard boldly makes the following statement (forgive the long quote, but I think it makes the point quite clearly),Â
“Guilt for this decaying and debauched state must not be laid entirely at the feet of women, as it often is. The problem lies squarely wit the men in the pulpits and homes of this nation. With the near dissolution of Christian manhood in this century, American males have become feminized sex-worshipers who do not lead, but are led. They have followed their silver-screen icons into nudity, and not the purity of Jesus Christ. Had they followed the God of holiness and governed their hearts and eyes as instructed by God’s Word, the present lascivious culture simply would not and could not exist.†(pg. 59)
Men are responsible before God for controlling their eyes, and guarding their hearts, and minds. While the blame may not lay exclusively with the women, they are also responsible before God for their actions. Women need to carefully examine their heart and their motives in their dress. Though a particular mode of dress is not explicitly commanded, Scripture does contain clear principles for the purpose and function of clothing. And, as believers, we need to remember that it is not legalism to call brothers and sisters to obedience to God’s Word.
“Nevertheless, any who dare to speak against public nakedness are quickly decried as legalists, Pharisees, and – worst of all – fundamentalists. How pathetic that so many pulpits and youth groups today are governed by the desires of the women and children of the congregation, and not the Word of God.†(pg. 59, emphasis mine)
Whether or not you agree with the content of this little book is between you and God. But, it will challenge your perceptions of Christian liberties and modern-day modesty. The tone of the book is an honest and direct look at the state of modesty, not only in our nation, but also our Christian churches and families. But, it is also a humble, passionate plea from the author for believers to return to a biblical way of thinking in the area of dress. I would highly recommend it to anyone (man or woman) seeking to develop biblical convictions on modesty.