Does The Bible Condone Nudism?

Does God think it's okay for Christians to prance around naked in a public setting? Are nudist resorts nothing more than havens for perverted social misfits?

Most Christians would probably answer "no" to the former and "yes" to the latter. Nevertheless, many followers of the Christian faith are, and probably always have been, a part of a widespread clothing-optional movement. In fact, the American Sunbathing Association, an early nudist group, was founded in 1931 by Reverend Ilsley Boone, a Baptist pastor.

Christian nudists, better known as Christian naturists, are found in just about every denomination, though most are probably incognito. The claim among these Christians is that they see no contradiction between biblical teachings and nudism. Some even go so far as to say the Bible promotes a nudist lifestyle.

The Garden Of Eden: The World's First Nudist Park
To support their position, Christian naturists often begin at the beginning of civilization with the biblical account of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:8-4:2).

Everyone knows the story. Before they ate the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve were the world's first nudists. Not only were they naked, but they were also unashamed of their nakedness. Therefore, the Garden of Eden was not only a sin-free environment, it was also the world's first nudist park.

But utopia was abruptly interrupted when something evil happened. A mysterious moral transgression of epidemic proportions plunged humanity headlong into a downward spiral, known in theological terms as "The Fall." Lurking nearby, a cunning serpent, identified elsewhere in the Bible as the devil, persuaded them to eat the forbidden fruit.

"Sure, God said no, but who cares what God said? Eat, and your eyes will be opened. In fact, you will actually become like God, knowing good and evil!"

So in direct defiance of the Creator's explicit prohibition, they ate. And just as the serpent predicted, their eyes were opened wide. Only probably not in the manner they had anticipated. Suddenly, they became profoundly ashamed of their nakedness.

This was new. After covering their bodies with fig leaves, they hid from God. God, of course, found their hiding place. Adam told God the reason he hid was because he was naked.

"Who told you that you were naked?" God asked. "Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?"

"Uh, yes," Adam admitted, "but it was the woman's fault."

The woman said the devil made her do it. "The serpent tricked me," she replied.

So God pronounced a curse. The serpent was to crawl on its belly. From that point forward, the serpent and his offspring would be the enemies of the woman and her offspring.

"He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

The woman would now bear children with intense pain. Her desire would be for her husband, and he would be her master.

God said to Adam, "All your life you will struggle to earn a living. Then you will die."

Adam then named his wife Eve, meaning "The Mother of All Living." God changed their wardrobe to animal skins, then booted them pronto from paradise. Mighty angels and a flaming sword guarded the entrance to The Tree of Life. East of Eden, a clothed humanity continues to live unhappily ever after.

How The Eden Account Is Used As A Biblical Endorsement Of Nudism
Christian naturists notice several elements in the Eden saga that suggest an endorsement of the nudist lifestyle. Since Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed before The Fall, and since they were clothed and ashamed after The Fall, it seems logical that wearing clothes and being ashamed of our bodies are both a direct result of sin. Early Christianity seems to agree with this assessment.

Nude Baptism In Early Christianity
Early Christians were baptized nude because they believed that baptism somehow "reversed the curse." To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Was Jesus Baptized In The Nude?
Since early Christians practiced nude baptism, it's only logical that those same early Christians believed that Jesus himself was also baptized in the nude. In their minds, they were imitating Jesus by practicing nude baptism. Many modern-day Christian nudists believe the same thing. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Was Jesus Crucified Nude?
People who were condemned to death, whether by hanging, stoning, or crucifixion, were commonly stripped of all clothing and publicly exposed. There can be little doubt that Jesus was crucified nude. His clothes had been removed and soldiers cast lots for them (John 19:23,24; Mark 15:24). To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Did Jesus Appear Nude After His Resurrection?
Some claim that Jesus appeared nude to Mary after his resurrection. Is there any truth to this claim? To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Why Was God Unhappy When Adam And Eve Covered Themselves?
Christian naturists also contend that God was not at all pleased when Adam and Eve covered their naked bodies. When God asked, "Who told you that you were naked?" the text seems to imply that God was more than a bit perturbed. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

How Do Nudist Resorts Deal With Erections?
The idea that men at nudist resorts have a great deal of trouble avoiding erections is a myth. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Is Nudism Healthy For Children?
Although some nudist resorts cater strictly to adults, the majority welcome people of all ages. But is nudism healthy for children? To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Do Christians Clothed With Christ Need Clothes?
Christian naturists contend that Christians clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ don't need to wear clothes. Galatians 3:27 says Christ are clothed with Christ. Should Christians clothed with Christ wear clothes? To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Other Biblical Passages Used To Support Christian Nudism
In addition to the Eden account, additional passages are used to support Christian nudism. Bathsheba bathed nude in plain view of David's palace. Prophets like Saul and Isaiah gave prophetic utterances in the nude. Do these passages endorse public nudism? Some say yes, some say no. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Circumstances When Nudism Is Not Okay
Although there are many positive aspects to nudism, there are circumstances when nudism is simply not appropriate. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

An Online Debate On Nudism
A written debate entitled Is Social Nudism Condemned By The Bible As Sinful? is available HERE.

Nude Public Bathing In The Time Of Jesus
Some say that nude public bathing was a common practice during the time of Jesus. Is this true? To learn more, CLICK HERE.

How Platonic Asceticism Impacted Social Nudism
After Christ's resurrection, may Christians were heavily influenced by the teachngs of a famous Greek philosopher named Plato. What kind of an impact did this have on nudism? To learn more, CLICK HERE.

How Queen Victoria Influenced Attitudes Regarding Nudity
When Queen Victoria came to power in England in the middle of the nineteenth century, her influence was legendary. Her influence on attitudes regarding nudity was felt far and wide, reaching into much of Europe and America. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Nudity At The YMCA
Before the YMCA became co-ed, men and boys swam completely nude. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Nude Exercise In Ancient Greece
Athletes in the ancient Olympic Games participated in the nude. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Benefits Of Nudism
What are the many benefits of nudism? To discover the practical benefits and health benefits of nudism, CLICK HERE.

YOUR COMMENTS

ARE WELCOME!

All comments are welcomed and appreciated, as long as those comments are thoughtful, constructive, and reflect a Christian perspective. Please, no profanity. And be respectful of others. The comment button is located near the bottom of this page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:

Home

Introduction - SEX: What's Right? What's Wrong? And Why?

Is Polygamy A Sin?

Was Levirate Marriage Only For Single Men?

What Was The Sin Of Adam And Eve?

COMING SOON:

How should a Christian make an ethical decision?

Is sex outside of marriage always a sin?

Was marriage instituted before or after the fall?

What are the ethical implications of reproductive sex?

What does it mean to be married?

What kind of love should married couples have for each other?

Is there sex in Heaven?

What is fornication and why is it wrong?

What is adultery and why is it wrong?

How far is too far?

What does it mean to look at a woman with lust in your heart?

Are we naturally monogamous?

Are women really from Venus?

Are men really from Mars? If so, what are the ethical implications?

Is "Safe(r) Sex" safe enough?

Ethical implications of condoms and the pill.

Are alternative lifestyles, such as swinging and polyamory, always a sin?