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. 9-11-02

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

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

we can be certain that most others It is interesting to note that in all the will not be able to do so. Therefore, descriptions of the appearances of even if our convictions and our angels, they wore clothing. This is conduct with regards to public nudity also true of Jesus at His were a true liberty, we are not to transfiguration and post-resurrection allow our liberty to cause another appearances. Some might argue believer to follow our practice and that God’s plan in the new age, thereby sin (Romans 14:12 – 15:1). would be for His people to return to a Furthermore a wise and loving pre-fallen state of nakedness without believer would never willfully present shame. We have no evidence that his or her body to others in such a this will be the case. At a minimum it way (whether scantily clothed or fully can be said that these glorified nude) that it would increase the level manifestations were clothed as a of their temptation to lust. consideration to our present fallen world. We would do well to follow • The Lord graciously provided their example. clothing for Adam & Eve following the fall. Since then, appropriate • Natural revelation reveals that public clothing and modesty is expected nudity is shameful. Most people among God’s people. 1 Timothy 2:9, know instinctively that there is “Likewise, I want women to adorn something wrong about its practice. themselves with proper clothing, That is why many nudists insist on modestly and discreetly…”. Note respecting the anonymity of their also Exodus 28:40-43. fellow practitioners. It is not possible for a believer to function as Christ’s There is no biblical evidence that light of purity to the world while instructs, encourages, or even participating in what even non- suggests we are liberated in Christ to believers regard as immoral, adopt a nudist mentality and inappropriate, or bizarre behavior. A practice. One nudist I read states wise and earnest follower of Christ that the onus is on non-nudists to would not insist on engaging in an prove that the Bible plainly activity that is commonly regarded as condemns public nudity. Throughout immoral or at best inappropriate and Scripture, from the very fall of Adam shameful by the culture in which he and Eve in Genesis (3:7, 21) on or she lives (Romans 1:24, 26-32; 1 through Revelation (16:15) it is clear Cor. 11:14). Romans 12:17 “… Do that public nudity is a shameful things in such a way that everyone condition. It is up to the nudist to can see you are honorable” (NLT). show clear evidence that God The practice of public nudity encourages the practice of public dishonors the reputation of Christ nudity which humans instinctively and His people (1 Peter 316-17). know to be shameful and which God The apostle Paul states that all Himself repeatedly describes as forms of sexual impurity (porneia) shameful. It simply cannot be done. are totally contrary to what it means to be a Christ-follower. Therefore, the conduct of believers is not to 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) .

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Public Nakedness; A sampling of blessed, regarded their father’s Scriptural references condition as shameful. In fact they pertaining to its shamefulness discretely sought to protect others from seeing Noah’s shameful condition. NAS 95 unless otherwise indicated Le 20:19 'You shall also not uncover the Gen 3:21 ¶ The LORD God made nakedness of your mother's sister or of garments of skin for Adam and his wife, your father's sister, for such a one has and clothed them. made naked his blood relative; they will After Adam and Eve’s fall, they knew bear their guilt. they were naked and they clothed Presumably, except in special themselves with leaves (Gen 3:7). circumstances such as intimacy in Shortly after, God graciously provided marriage and the care of children, them a better covering, an animal skin. exposure of one’s nakedness is a shameful thing. Gen 9:20-25 – Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. He 1 Sam 19:24 He also stripped off his drank of the wine and became drunk, clothes, and he too prophesied before and uncovered himself inside his tent. Samuel and lay down naked all that day Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is nakedness of his father, and told his two Saul also among the prophets?" brothers outside. But Shem and One nudists I read, sited this text as an Japheth took a garment and laid it upon example of acceptable public both their shoulders and walked nakedness. The exact meaning is backward and covered the nakedness uncertain. It would not be wise to build of their father; and their faces were a case for public nakedness on this turned away, so that they did not see highly unusual example. It was not a their father's nakedness. When Noah custom for prophets of the Lord to awoke from his wine, he knew what his prophesy naked. Yet, Saul’s conduct is youngest son had done to him. So he compared to a prophet. In what way said, "Cursed be Canaan; A servant of was he acting similarly? What he likely servants He shall be to his brothers." removed were his outer royal robes or He also said, "Blessed be the LORD, military clothing while retaining his The God of Shem; And let Canaan be underclothing. Secondly, his activity of his servant. "May God enlarge Japheth, prophesying all day and night was And let him dwell in the tents of Shem; similar to what other prophets were And let Canaan be his servant." doing. Knowing what we do of Saul, it seems improbable that his activity was Noah became drunk and shamefully truly guided by God’s Spirit. Saul also exposed his nakedness before his sons. consorted with evil spirits! The text indicates that Noah became angry with Ham, presumably because 2 Samuel 6:14-23 – David danced with he disrespectfully revealed his shameful only a priestly tunic on. Michal thought condition to his brothers. However, the his behavior and scant clothing was text is also quite clear that all three of indecent. Apparently the Lord thought his sons, including the two Noah David’s dancing honored Him, for Michal 5

“remained childless throughout her life”. down your shrines, demolish your high David was not naked however. I would places, strip you of your clothing, take not want to build a case from this text away your jewels, and will leave you that exposure is ordinarily acceptable in naked and bare. the sight of God. Eze 23:29 'They will deal with you in hatred, take all your property, and leave Isa 20:2 at that time the LORD spoke you naked and bare. And the through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, nakedness of your harlotries will be "Go and loosen the sackcloth from your uncovered, both your lewdness and hips and take your shoes off your feet." your harlotries. And he did so, going naked and Ho 2:3 Or I will strip her naked And barefoot. expose her as on the day when she was Isa 20:3 And the LORD said, "Even as born. I will also make her like a My servant Isaiah has gone naked and wilderness, Make her like desert land barefoot three years as a sign and token And slay her with thirst. against Egypt and Cush, Mic 1:11 Go on your way, inhabitant of Isa 20:4 so the king of Assyria will lead Shaphir, in shameful nakedness. away the captives of Egypt and the It is shameful to have one’s nakedness exiles of Cush, young and old, naked exposed. and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. Mark 9:2 Six days later, Jesus *took with I’ve read some nudists who claim that Him Peter and James and John, and examples in Scripture such as this one *brought them up on a high mountain by support the Lord’s approval of themselves. And He was transfigured nakedness. Yes, the Lord gave the before them; 3 and His garments unusual command to Isaiah that he became radiant and exceedingly white, should publicly disrobe. God did not do as no launderer on earth can whiten so in order to illustrate his approval of them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along public nudity. Rather, Isaiah served as with Moses; and they were talking with a “walking prophecy” to God’s people Jesus. (Also Mt 17:1-4; Lk 9:28ff). that as Isaiah’s nakedness was It is interesting that in Jesus’ shameful, so too they would be exposed transfiguration where He displayed His to similar shame because of their sin glorified body and being, that He was against Him. clothed. I don’t know if there will be clothing in the new heavens and the La 4:21 ¶ Rejoice and be glad, O new earth, but at a minimum it can be daughter of Edom, Who dwells in the said that at least as a concession to our land of Uz; But the cup will come around present fallen world – that a clothed to you as well, You will become drunk glorified body is necessary. When and make yourself naked. angles revealed themselves in a Drunkenness leads people to do foolish glorious condition, we are never told things such as exposing one’s they are naked. Instead angels are nakedness – that is a shameful act. often described as wearing brilliant white clothing. Eze 16:39 "I will also give you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear 6

John 21:7 was cited by one nudist to takes for granted that this is truth that all indicate that Peter was fishing naked people grasp through general revelation. without shame. However, the Greek text says that Peter put on a garment 2 Co 5:3 inasmuch as we, having put it which scholars agree denotes an outer on, will not be found naked. garment. Hence the NAS translates it Paul is not speaking of literal nakedness well went it says, Therefore that disciple in this context, but of our souls longing whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is to be clothed with glorified bodies. the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard However, his analogy is that literal that it was the Lord, he put his outer nakedness is not a normal nor desirable garment on (for he was stripped for state. work), and threw himself into the sea. Rev 16:15 ("Behold, I am coming like a 1 Cor 12:23 NLT And the parts we thief. Blessed is the one who stays regard as less honorable are those we awake and keeps his clothes, so that he clothe with the greatest care. So we will not walk about naked and men will carefully protect from the eyes of others not see his shame.") those parts that should not be seen, This NT verse expresses the same Although Paul is not intending to teach theme concerning nakedness as the OT about the human body, but merely using does. It is shameful to expose one’s it to make an analogy, he presumes that nakedness in public. clothing of certain parts of the body is only appropriate. It seems that Paul

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Paul Phair has served as Senior Pastor of Oakwood Community Church since 1987. He earned a Master of Divinity from Denver 11209 Casey Rd Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Tampa FL 33618-5306 degree from Fuller Theological (813) 969-2303 Seminary in Pasadena, California. Email: [email protected] He is married to Bev; they have two Web: www.oakwoodfl.org married children.