dr_parsley
Puritan Board Freshman
I will wait to hear the biblical arguments that teach nakedness is permissable for art, story telling, etc. It has been 3 pages though...
I gave an argument from scripture in post 74 to which no-one responded so I assumed I'd won
I just now read the post, thanks for the effort. However, I fail to see where you argued FROM Scripture. That is, where did you lay out what the Scripture TEACHES on the matter?
Scripture teaches us about sin, it's origin and method, which fits every other case of sin apart from this one absolutely (i.e not in some outlying circumstances). I would like to know how James 1:14-15 is not sufficient to explain to this lady who let a breast fall out how and why she is sinning, again, given the only verses which give an absolute verdict have an apparent high cultural context. This lady would say to me, "Yes I cover myself and dress modestly to avoid tempting anyone else to lust; you are telling me that there is another part of my body which I should cover that no-one around here thinks is sexual. You might as well tell me I have to cover my ears - there is as much scriptural warrant."
A couple good place to check for scriptural references:
WSC
Q. 70. Which is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Q. 71. What is required in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in heart, speech and behavior.
Q. 72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words and actions.
WLC:
Q. 137. Which is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Q. 138. What are the duties required in the seventh commandment?
A. The duties required in the seventh commandment are, chastity in body, mind, affections, words, and behavior; and the preservation of it in ourselves and others; watchfulness over the eyes and all the senses; temperance, keeping of chaste company, modesty in apparel; marriage by those that have not the gift of continency, conjugal love, and cohabitation; diligent labor in our callings; shunning all occasions of uncleanness, and resisting temptations thereunto.
Q. 139. What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, adultery, fornication, rape, incest, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts; all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections; all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto; wanton looks, impudent or light behavior, immodest apparel; prohibiting of lawful, and dispensing with unlawful marriages; allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them; entangling vows of single life, undue delay of marriage; having more wives or husbands than one at the same time; unjust divorce, or desertion; idleness, gluttony, drunkenness, unchaste company; lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays; and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.
I, of course, agree entirely with that and it changes nothing. I am arguing that it is not an absolute because to one person's immodesty another wouldn't blink. Naturally we should be considerate to others of different views (so, e.g. if I had a problem with that lady's breast, then I could tell her that she's being inconsiderate, but even that seems unfair on her because the probability there was a white person walking behind her was negligible) and so default to the lowest common denominator, but I object on principle to people saying that their cultural norms are absolute because that way lies great danger, in effect to interpret the bible in your own worldview and elevate the worldview to inerrant. Some 19th Century missionaries did that and did great damage.