Both Paul and Peter, under the inspiration of the Spirit, address a key question that continues to plague our culture today—“What makes a person beautiful?” Of concern here is how does one live as a new creation in Christ and make that image look beautiful? What qualities are revered and elevated among those who walk after Jesus and example the gospel of grace? Are there better ways, or worse ways, to display what Christ has done in us?

I’ve wanted to write this post for some time. I believe it’s a message needed more than ever, yet part of me is still fearful. I’m afraid my voice will be swept up among the boorish voices of ignorant men keen to blame their juvenile lusts on someone other than themselves. My options then are to either dissent silently, or swing in my opinion of what Scripture says. I’m not willing to do either.

Though there has been a growing voice, dominant in wider society and growing in volume even within the church, that has said, “Modesty is for a by-gone era, it holds no purchase now.” — I cannot escape that in the currency of God’s values, modesty matters. I guess the question we must ask though is, why? Many who argue for modesty (often men) use as their foundational argument the effect on men when modesty is laid aside. I’d like to come back to that argument a little later, but first I think there is a greater principle at stake when considering modesty in today’s culture.

A Gospel-Centred Self-Image

I don’t believe the Bible teaches that the modesty of woman is primarily for the benefit or the comfort of a man. In other words, those who argue that modesty among women is so that men won’t be tempted — misread, misunderstand, or more seriously, deliberately twist Scripture. The two most often referred to passages in the New Testament on this topic never once suggest that modesty exists to make men’s lives easier, or that they might not be tempted to sin.

Read More