Nudism and Toplessness

Say the words “the Bible” and “nudity” and, chances are, the first thought someone will have is of Adam and Eve living naked and unashamed (Gen. 2:25) in the Garden of Eden. Many scholars believe that, before the Fall, Adam and Eve wore “robes of light” that reflected their time in God’s presence, as later exhibited by Moses’ glow after communing with God (Exod. 34:29-35; see also Ps. 104:2). Before they sinned, Adam and Eve appear to have given little thought to the fact that, like every other creature, they were unclothed. When they sinned, suddenly, “they knew that they were naked” (Gen. 3:7). For the first time, they felt vulnerable. Feeling inadequate, they attempted to make up for it by covering themselves. They still felt naked, however (Gen. 3:8-10), suggesting that they hid not because of their literal nudity, but because they now felt spiritually exposed.

In the biblical world, the average person owned only one outer garment. Men typically stripped to a simple loincloth when working outdoors (John 21:7) or performing the dusty work of a servant (John 13:4). When the Bible talks about “clothing the naked,” it signifies aiding someone in extreme poverty (Ezek. 18:7). In Revelation 3:17-18 and 16:15, in a possible allusion to Adam and Eve, nakedness is used symbolically to represent lacking the cover of Jesus’ righteousness.

Different cultures give sexual emphasis to particular areas of the body, particularly woman’s bodies, and what is appropriate or inappropriate dress or display may vary depending on the culture or the context. Because the biological (and God-designed) purpose of breasts is to provide food for infants (Isa. 49:15), in many societies their visibility in public is not controversial, or may be considered normal in the context of breastfeeding. In the end, it is always best for the Christian not to offend anyone. Thus, modesty, even erring on the side of modesty, is the safest default mode.

God calls us to view our bodies as spiritual temples (1 Cor. 6:19), while rescuing people from the world’s false standards of perfection. Today the world shames people—especially young people—for their looks, their bodies, and anything else inherent to who they are. The world judges people based on their speech, the color of their skin, or the shape of their figure. The human body is commodified, objectified, and idealized. The fruits of such distortion include eating disorders, sexual harassment, pornography, pride, and alienation from ourselves, as we believe that we must conform to society’s standards to somehow “measure up.”

King David wrote that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:4). The Bible celebrates the human body, not just in an idealized youth, but throughout our lifespan, declaring, “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old” (Prov. 20:29, NIV).

While our sin-scarred bodies may not always now reflect the glory of creation that God declared “good” (Gen. 1:31), and propriety may compel us to cover up, we must always point people to the God who knows us intimately, yet loves us unconditionally.