The best of Christmas and the happiest of nude years to all the terrific contributers to this forum. I have had the blessing of meeting a few of you in person, either at CNC Midwest or while in Washington D.C. this summer. May God bless us all in each doing their small part in the task of recovering the original dignity of the body, and how that is related to the larger task of bring the saving knowledge of Christ to the world.
Your words go right to the point, "...recovering the original dignity of the body".
If naturism were just about being comfortable on a warm sunny day, I would not be investing much time in promoting it.
Without a clear understanding of our bodies as a good creation of a good God, we would misunderstand much of the gospel message.
Of course there are those who would still argue that our good and God-given bodies must be covered to bear witness to our need for spiritual covering by Jesus. I think we risk making the same mistake Adam and Eve made when they covered themselves with fig leaves. We cannot cover a spiritual need by a physical covering. As I have posted elsewhere on this forum, God never established a covenant of clothing. What he did for Adam and Eve was to show them that what they needed was blood to be shed on their behalf and they needed a repentant and transformed heart, not a mere coverup.
Lastly, there may be those who say, "Let's be practical. Some men react with lust at the sight of nudity, therefore we should never be naked. One doesn't even have to be a Christian to take this practical approach, but I often hear the argument couched in biblical language, specifically the Apostle Paul's admonition for us not to be a stumbling block to those who are spiritually weak (regarding meat sacrificed to idols). Pastor Jeff Bowman has written a detailed study of this argument, but I'll simply add to what has already been said with the observation that Paul did not say it was wrong to advocate his freedom in Christ, just not to flaunt his meat eating in circumstances where he would not have time to explain his behavior in context.
And certainly there are times when my nudity could be misinterpreted by people who misunderstand it.
Yet just as certainly there are times when groups of nudists and naturists need to push the boundaries of what society will accept just a bit. May God give us the wisdom to discern when and how!
You may also point out that the person who quotes this often misunderstood verse that they are the ones who are weak in Christ. After all, it is we who are strong (meat eating or nude activists) and they (non-meat eaters or non-nudists) are the weak ones. I wonder if they would agree when it's pointed out?
Point taken! If the stumbling block crowd listens to their own argument, the logical conclusion is that they are spiritually weak.
Paul did not write this so that those who are spiritually weak never grow strong in faith and grace! It was supposed to be temporary. And Paul never was silent about his freedom in Christ. As he said, he withstood Peter to his face when he tried to be one thing to the Judaizers and another thing to the Gentiles.
The curious thing about the way those that rush in to appeal to the stumbling block warning, is that they are absolutely opposed to my behavior,(naturism)and so they are not in any danger of stumbling. BUT! They are very concerned about how others may be effected. I want to know just who is going to see or learn of my behavior and copy me, even though they question whether it is ok or not? If not this, perhaps they fear that while another might not copy my behavior, they would be scandalized and reject Christ because of my behavior.
Those of you that have access to a copy of "Our Wonderful Bodies" by Jim Cunningham can read his extremely valuable essay on this topic. The issue of the morality of our actions has to be carefully considered, but the simplistic way the stumbling block argument is thrown out is usually very legalistic in intention. In short, the naturist merely going about their business is not responsible for how others may think. The absurdity is the presumption that had there been clothing, there would not have been any potential for sin by another.
Again, if someone were to reject Christ after learning I am a naturist, is that decision my fault? As I understand scripture, those that reject Christ do so for their own reasons. I do not have the power to make them make this decision. It is their lack of faith that motivates them, not my nakedness. How superficial! Paul never demands that we limit our freedom to the lowest common denominator.
That argument about causing others to stumble, has been used for those who might lust after another. Say, "Bob" goes to a naturist resort and is nude. "Bernard" happens to be there and is nude also. "Bernard" has a problem with lusting after other men. Is "Bob" then responsible for being nude and causing "Bernard" to stumble? I have heard some argue "I might cause someone there to lust after me" (They are more concerned about gays than the member of the opposite sex) so I should not go there.
(Sorry dude, you ain't that pretty!) And of course, someone can be lusting after you right now even though you are dressed! So where is the problem? Not in the person who is living out their freedom by faith in Jesus Christ, but those who are living a life of stumbling due to a lack of faith and understanding.
I don't go somewhere and expect anyone to lust after me. If they do, then I guess I'll just have to avoid them or ask them to point their lust somewhere else. Or better yet, lead them to Christ.
Ask the person who thinks their nudity may cause others to stumble, "What if I told you that guys (or girls) that wear clothing really turns me on!"
See what they say or do. They may find their arguments lacking. Turn the tables on them with who is weak or strong in the faith as well. Often, people say things out of reaction of their fears, not something they truly think through.
"Often, people say things out of reaction of their fears, not something they truly think through."
Indeed they do, Boyd. But to them I say with Paul, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." --II Timothy 1:7
