Author: Jeff Pollard
Publisher: The Vision Forum, Inc
Originally Published: 2003

Turn on the television, look at the magazine rack, or just step outside your front door and you’ll notice that modesty is lost on the greater part of society. While immodest dress might not be surprising among irreligious people, it is alarming to see what passes as “modesty” among many that claim to be Christians. This sad condition is the focus of Jeff Pollard’s book Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America. The book is a short read, really more of a long article at 59 pages. Despite its brevity, it contains some very good information and is in my opinion a very worthwhile read.

Pollard tackles a subject that he recognizes up front is a difficult and controversial issue. Unfortunately, it’s an issue in which whatever position(s) you take, you won’t be able to please everybody. Pollard takes the right view and sets an appropriate tone, however: the goal isn’t pleasing people, but “glorify[ing] the Lord Jesus Christ…” His attitude is admirable, and I agree with his position that in defining the biblical standard of modesty extremes must be avoided—we can’t be too liberal, but neither can we go beyond the Word of God and make rules in a Pharisaic manner. The introduction to the book states it well, saying, “The real choice in the debate over standards of dress is not between legalism and license, but between God as lawgiver or man as lawgiver.”

In my opinion, the first four chapters are the best part of Pollard’s work. Pollard defines the terms “modest,” “shamefacedness,” and “sobriety.” He shows that modesty is tied to character, so dress should be important to the Christian. Pollard reviews several examples from both the Old and New Testaments, and makes an excellent argument that God’s Word consistently demonstrates modest clothing covers the human body from the neck to the knee (at a minimum). He reminds us that it is God Who is the true designer of clothes and their purpose, and that purpose has always been to “…cover the body, not just private parts.” While his argument that nakedness can occur before revealing the body’s private parts is a little brief, he does do a good job showing the connection with nakedness and shame in the Scriptures. While nakedness is celebrated in American society, the truth is that God’s Word teaches that public nakedness is shameful.

The last several chapters aren’t quite as strong, in my opinion, but none-the-less, they have some good food for thought. Chapters five and six are entirely focused on swimwear and the effect the swimsuit industry has had on modesty and clothing designs over the past century. This section is very interesting historically, and Pollard does do a very good job using secular works themselves to show that one of the goals of the swim-wear fashion industry was to push the boundaries and uncover the body while at the beach. As society became more comfortable seeing more and more skin at the beach, they became more comfortable with revealing and immodest dress in everyday life.

Pollard focuses a great deal on swim wear because of what he noticed as a popular trend amongst denominational churches. He remarks in his opening that when he was a new convert, he attended a youth conference held at a beach in Florida. He became troubled that this religious gathering was held in an atmosphere of lasciviousness, and he was alarmed at the way many professing Christians attending the conference dressed when they headed to the beach. I hope that those in the Lord’s Church recognize that modern swimwear is not modest, and understand that nakedness is not acceptable simply because one is at the beach.

After spending significant time tackling the swim-wear industry, Pollard also discusses the impact television and movies have had on shaping America’s views on modesty. He makes a compelling argument that the swim-suit evolution was aided and furthered by Hollywood. He further points out that the media and the entertainment industry have a profound influence, even over religious people. As a result, many, even religious leaders, are comfortable with immodesty and consider how one dresses as simply a matter of liberty.

Pollard’s final point in chapter eight argues the need for God’s people to be pure in the midst of an impure world, regardless of what society accepts. It is the duty of all Christians—men and women—to dress in a way which glorifies their Creator. I quote here perhaps the best paragraph in Pollard’s work:

The holy Word of God says that we are not to love the world nor the things of the world (1 John 2:15). Modern swimwear and most of today’s fashions are clearly designed for the world’s standards, not Jesus Christ’s. The fashion industry caters to pride, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, not purity and holiness. Its purpose is not covering the body; but sensually packaging or uncovering it. The world does not deny this; why then do so many modern Christians? The world seems more honest about this issue than many of the people who fill our churches and our pulpits. America has moved from a worldview that once could say, ‘the devout Puritan maiden found beauty in prayer and self-discipline rather than in the wearing of pretty clothes and jewelry,’ to a worldview that says this about its swimwear: ‘It’s glamorous…it’s exotic…it’s definitely NOT ABOUT swimming.”

I think Pollard is right—sometimes Christians refuse to acknowledge what the world freely admits—the purpose of many clothing styles (not just swimwear) is to accentuate the body and is designed to entice.

In chapter eight, Pollard specifically notes the need for women to be conscious of their manner of dress. While this is an unpopular conversation, I agree with Pollard that it is important. Pollard doesn’t excuse men for lusting after immodestly dressed women. He fittingly points out that men are responsible for their actions and their thoughts, and the righteous man should guard his thoughts, even when women don’t dress properly. That being said, Pollard reminds women that they shouldn’t place a potential stumbling block before their Christian brethren by dressing in enticing ways. Pollard likens women to “candles among gunpowder”—an interesting (and I think accurate description) of how important it is for women (and men) to dress modestly.

Pollard concludes his work by recalling the purpose of clothing as designed by God—to cover the body. When we allow fashion, desire, pride, or anything else to change that purpose we are in dangerous territory. Whether it’s lascivious dress designed to entice or gaudy dress designed to attract attention, we sin against God when we dress in immodest ways.

Pollard’s book is a good work and an easy read, and I would recommend it to any Christian, especially anyone looking to do some study on the important topic of modesty. Much more could be said about the topic, but Pollard’s work is a good place to start. With the culture of our society, modesty is a topic that must continue to be preached in our pulpits and studied and taught in our homes. Without such diligence, the pervasiveness of immodesty will permeate our homes and congregations. Instead, let us always be dedicated to being God’s holy and special people.

Pollard’s book can be purchased on Amazon for as low as $0.01.

Review written by: Nate Bibens, natebibens@gmail.com