What does Christian modesty mean for men and women in today’s culture?
To facilitate the discussion I’m requesting three things from respondents:
— Please share an opinion based on your gender first. This subject skews disproportionately towards women and I would like to see edifying comments for both sexes.
— Please provide biblical support for your opinion if applicable.
— And for the sake of clarity for everyone, please share a visible example of the modest attire you’re addressing. Please avoid posting immodest images or videos in deference to those with struggles.
Thank you. I look forward to your response.
Modesty is pretty straightforward dress like a normal (respectable) person see the two Coptic videos for Gentlemen and ladies. (I plan on posting a lengthy reply to the headcovering thread you posted, since that touches on some important areas of theology and liturgics, but you will see some nice example of Coptic women wearing head scarves in church on the first video).
But back to the topic, since people need specifics I'll give you some. For a guy a speedo would be out there in most cases (like unless you somehow really like them and are alone or just with your wife in your own private pool etc). The same would go with things like really tight shorts like bike shorts wear it might look like you are smuggling figs into the country.
If your going to wear them for biking I guess fine, but get changed out of the ASAP after the ride is over. And I would say, walking around shirtless where you are not at the pool is also tacky, (most business won't serve males that are topless even in the middle of summer in areas right by the beach).
Now is there a scriptural standard? Not officially, but I sort of figured out one. Below is the picture of the high priest. In reference to the scandalous incident of David dancing before the Lord in 2 Samuel, King David was wearing "an ephod" like the yellow tunic/apron you see below (just the ephod, but not the other robes pictured in white). But in spite of him wearing an ephod (no other robes) his wife below reacts as if he was just dancing in his underwear or maybe with just a long cloth...
2 Samuel 6:14-22
"20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!
So yes this shows that even guys, especially upper class guys were normally pretty covered up in Bible times. Which shouldn't be surprising because the scriptures tend to imply or associate provocative dress with promiscuity (only the low moral people do it).