I was enjoying the latest issue of The Naked Truth Newdsletter (Vol 19 issue 2) when I came across a link to an anti-nudity article by a Mr. Caiden Cowger, a syndicated radio talk show host.
The article claims that the Bible forbids exposure of genitals (apparently in any context).
He objected to a Wesleyan college's use of nude models for its art classes.
The verses Cowger sited were as follows (with his commentary included):
Not to mention, the scriptures are clear: this type of behavior is unacceptable.
1 Corinthians 12:23 states, “And the parts we regard as less honorable (genitals) are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen.”
In Genesis 3:21, God calls for man and woman to be clothed, expressing, “And the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.”
To be fair to Mr. Cowger, I do not believe that he has had any training in hermeneutics (in theology, the principles of interpretation of the Bible).
I would welcome comment on his interpretation of these verses.
I think we can agree that these two verses do not represent the sum total of what the Bible has to say about nudity, which isn't much, but certainly more than two verses.
In I Corinthians, it would seem that Paul is simply speaking about the cultural norm of covering genitals in public settings (other than nudity of public baths or peasants engaged in fishing or farm work). But a cultural norm, particularly that of pagan Rome, is not always a clear indication of God's viewpoint, note the qualifying phrase "the parts
we regard".
The more familiar passage from Genesis chapter 3 is one we have tousled with extensively on this forum.
It is clear that God made clothing, but we see no commandment that Adam and Eve must always wear clothes, no "thou shalt not be naked" in the Torah.
But surely others will want to make their own observations.
http://mountaineerjournal.com/2018/01/1 ... de-for-20/