What about shorts?

Going to the Beach is a sin?! Where in the Bible does it say that?! I'm being retorical of course because I've read the Bible...and it doesn't say that going to the beach is a sin. Statements such as these are very misleading. What will become a sin next? I think I'll just stick to the Bible for what God says...safer that way.

 

Personally, as a man who struggles with lust, I say it often matters very little what a woman is wearing. And even sometimes, the more a woman is covered, the more the mind starts wondering what's underneath.

Heck, even blind men lust. Should women stop bathing and wearing perfume, so they don't smell nice to the blind men?

Maybe we should lock all the women away so we never see them. Ladies, whatcha say to that? We gotta stop these men from potential lusting, you know...

 

So far there are 41 (42 if we include this one) responses to the question "What about shorts?" and only six to the posting on Covenant Theology (http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=48;t=000077).

Surely herein lies the great problem with modern day fundamentalism. Whilst acknowledging the need for modesty etc., as argued, the issue of "shorts is a minor, whereas Covenant Theology is a major.

Shorts, hairstyles, women in trousers etc., interesting stuff, but is there not something wrong with our emphasis when we are excited over six times more by the debate on "shorts" than the huge theological struggle between covenant theology and dispensationalism. Which is the real threat to our fundamentalism?

[ September 20, 2002, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: D Moore ]

 

I think the reason is due simply to the fact that for every 1 Baptist that knows what "covenant theology" is, there are 20 that know what "shorts" are.

 

I love how this kind of stuff goes. That is right you could have a bag over your head and wear a pickle barrel and someone could lust so that means we might as well show what we want and say to heck with it all.

Bottom line you will do what you want, so go for it.

Y'all come across as the stronger brothers or sisters, so consider this.

Rom 15:1-2
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. (KJV)

However, our attitude is to not offend the weak not jump up for our rights and liberty. Yes, some folks are offended by anything and there has to be discernment. However, I fail to see much discernment when we get on these issues. It is more of an in your face I am free in grace and all you old fogey Bible thumpers can stuff it. I would understand that from the world, but I do have a hard time with the lassiez-faire attitude of the Body.

Is anyone offended by modest attire? No. Are even some lost people offended by cleavage and the like? Yes. So, will you seek a higher goal of offending no one and sacrifice your liberty if need be? Nope. The offended one has the problem and let Him deal with it. I have my rights and my interpretation and he/she just needs to grow up and shut up.

Is it not odd that "strict" cults attract more people than our loose standard churches? Lost people often have higher standards than the Church and I do not understand it.

 

I don't think anyone here is saying that.

 

I think there are alot of people here saying that. I agree with Maverick. I'm called legalist because I choose modesty. Others choose to do what they "like" and I'm supposed to say, that's ok, liberty in Christ.

There is a very big problem in this world with immorality and sexual sin. It was bad since sin entered into the world, but why is it so much worse today? Man has a problem with too much skin showing, but they don't like to admit that. Most say they aren't affected by it so they do it. We forget all the others that are. Molesters and rapists thrive on this stuff. I will not give them what they crave.

Sometimes we are forced into the world, to do shopping, and such. But the beach is filled with it. Everyone is showing too much. At least there is some sense of covering in other places. I may have to go to the store, but I don't have to go to the beach.

 

Originally posted by TheOliveBranch:
I think there are alot of people here saying that. I agree with Maverick. I'm called legalist because I choose modesty. Others choose to do what they "like" and I'm supposed to say, that's ok, liberty in Christ.

I am not sure if you think I referred to you as a legalist Olive. If you did, I am sorry. I spoke about putting burdens upon other's that are unessessary. I certainly do not mean to say, that christians should not dress modestly. I am just saying that dressing modestly can be in pants or shorts, as well as dresses. If you feel more modest in a dress, thats okay. That does not mean your a legalist. I feel that it is only when one would say that if every woman does not wear a dress, she would be immodest, and not pleasing God. This mind-set would be placing their convictions upon someone else, and thus, being legalistic.

There is a very big problem in this world with immorality and sexual sin. It was bad since sin entered into the world, but why is it so much worse today?

Jesus told us it would get worse. Yet, where sin abounds, so does Grace

Man has a problem with too much skin showing, but they don't like to admit that. Most say they aren't affected by it so they do it. We forget all the others that are. Molesters and rapists thrive on this stuff. I will not give them what they crave.

This is not always true. Rape is not about sex, it is about violence and control. This mind-set would lead one to believe that any woman who has been raped, must have been dressed immodest, thus, it was her own fault. Which we know is not true.

Sometimes we are forced into the world, to do shopping, and such. But the beach is filled with it. Everyone is showing too much. At least there is some sense of covering in other places. I may have to go to the store, but I don't have to go to the beach.

Yes, this is true. If you do not feel comfortable going to the beach, don't go. But I do not think anyone has the right to tell everyone else not to go. Or if they do go, their commitment to the Lord is questioned. I cannot agree with that.

Naomi

 

BrianT says "I think the reason is due simply to the fact that for every 1 Baptist that knows what "covenant theology" is, there are 20 that know what "shorts" are."

Sadly I think you are right, and that is why IFB churches are the seedbed for every and any radical, looney tune preacher who wants to take them this direction or that!! The dispute over "shorts" etc, whilst worthy of some attention should pale into insignificance in comparison to the debate surrounding dispensationalism & covenant theology. Unfortunately, we find ourselves with folks who can articulate a fine argument over the length of a hair, but unable to articulate why they are premillennial, post millenial, amillennial or Uh?- Millennial, who will condemn baby baptism as an extension of Romanism without a thought to the so called covenant of grace in reformed theology. Heaven help us!!

 

My question is where is there sin at the beach? It's part of enjoying God's creation (meaning the ocean, sky, sea animals ect.) I know I'll get slammed for this but oh well but I wear a two piece that is actually the colors of the American Flag. I had my husband help pick this out and that is what he chose.

Karen

 

Originally posted by redwhitenblue:
My question is where is there sin at the beach?
The sin is not at the beach, it is in each of us. If the Holy Spirit is convicting someone not to go, they should abstain from going. If they did attend, to them it would be a sin issue.

It's part of enjoying God's creation (meaning the ocean, sky, sea animals ect.) I know I'll get slammed for this but oh well but I wear a two piece that is actually the colors of the American Flag. I had my husband help pick this out and that is what he chose.

Karen

I just hope you are singing "God Bless America," as you are wearing it!
LOL!

 

Originally posted by D Moore:
BrianT says "I think the reason is due simply to the fact that for every 1 Baptist that knows what "covenant theology" is, there are 20 that know what "shorts" are."

Wow! This is a heavy-revvy At least we know what the meaning of "shorts" is.
I know a V.I.P. that did not know the meaning of the word "is" or the meaning of the term "Adultry." At least we know something!!

 

Going to the Beach is a sin?! Where in the Bible does it say that?! I'm being retorical of course because I've read the Bible...and it doesn't say that going to the beach is a sin. Statements such as these are very misleading. What will become a sin next? I think I'll just stick to the Bible for what God says...safer that way.</font>[/QUOTE]I do not think that the act of walking out on a beach is sin. My family has had a couple of opportunities to be in a secluded part of the beach and we had a great time.

When I say "going to the beach," I am referring to mixed swimming at the beach, or sunbathing at the beach and being subject to the often grossly immodest apparel of both men and women. God clearly tells us to guard our hearts and not to make provision for the flesh.

You godly women may be able to be in this environment without it affecting you but God has wired us men in a different way. I dare say there is no man on this board who can go to a public, occupied beach where women are parading around in skimpy bathing suits, and not have it affect him in some carnal manner.

Just going to an unoccupied section of the beach to swim with your family or to enjoy the beauty of God's nature is fine. We would probably all do well to spend such quality time with our families. But, we can do so without compromising our modesty or our testimony. There are plenty of other places to enjoy God's creation other than a crowded public beach.

 

Naomi,

I totally agree that if one has a personal conviction about going to the beach they should obstain from doing so....but to say there's sin in going to the beach is wrong, it's not a sinful thing unless God has placed that conviction upon you and you went anyway.

Btw...lol yeah actually my husband sings God Bless America when I wear it.

karen

 

The term "legalist" has been misused so much that no one remembers the original description of the term. A legalist believes that a person is not saved by grace alone...that other things must be done in order to be saved as in Acts 15:1. A legalist adds to grace. Olive you are not a legalist. You just have strict standards.

 

No, I don't wear shorts. But that is just me;
it extends to no one outside of me. I also
will not wear skirts for the same reason--
modesty. But that is just me, no one else.
I have no right to demand of anyone else
what I demand of myself.

Let our God do the convicting, and let the
convicted live accordingly.

 

Maverick said:

However, our attitude is to not offend the weak not jump up for our rights and liberty.

By couching this argument in terms of the "strong" and "weak," you are admitting that it falls within the realm of personal preferences.

If it is your personal preference to not visit the beach where mixed bathing goes on, feel free to exercise it as you wish. Since, I assume, you will not deliberately put yourself in a situation where you might be tempted by your lusts, then there should be no problem with those of us who are not so tempted participating.

The law of liberty is intended to protect the weak; it is not intended to be used by the weak as a sword to coerce the strong into doing what is not condemned and may be lawfully enjoyed.

 

I agree. I asked this once about mena nd how they dress,a nd people here thought it was the womans responasbility to dress al covered up so as not to cause a man to lust, but none thought they as men had any responsability to dress so as not to cause a woman to lust. Some owmen even told me women are not sexualy orientated and do not as many do lust, most women have no problem with it. I don't for one minute buy any of it. As long as we are modestly dressed, then we can choose what we wear.
I would't myself wear a bathing suit no matter what. But I don't care who does, as long as they are covered. And I don't believe we are not allowed to go swimming. I also do not go in the water anymore, I have a terrible fear of drowning, becasue I almost did as a child.
If we did dress that way some guy would lust anyway. So what are we to do? Just how far am I responsable for someone else sinning? And why do the men here not believe they have the same responsability?
Christians always seem to be coming up with rules and laws that are not in the bible. I believe it helps them feel they are in control of themselves and something instead of just following God and doing what He says in His bible. Why add laws to the bible that are not there.
Why can't a chriatian wman go to the beach and be a christian witness of how a christian goes to the beach dressed in a manner that honors Christ.

 

I did try to take part in this topic, and asked a question on something I did not know. It is assumed that everyone reading it knows all about it. And that when we do nt we are not allowed to ask. When I did I was told to look it up. So thats why I don't post there.