Live your theology.

From Doug Wilson’s blog / book:

“A man should resolve before God that he will have no one-on-one friendships (or close working relationships) with women unless they are with his mother, grandmother, sister, or wife. Now, what is meant by ‘friends’? We have been taught ad nauseam by means of feminist propaganda that men and women are simply interchangeable units, and that we should work very hard to act as though this is so. The grand idea dictates that a man should be able to work with a woman and treat her like any of the other ‘guys’ at work. If he and another guy could go out for lunch, why not have the same standard for a female co-worker? The answer, and I hate to belabor the obvious, is that under the clothes, their bodies are different, and hers looks like it would be a lot more fun than some male co-worker’s body. In other words, one situation is sexually charged and the other one isn’t” (Fidelity, p. 62).

I’m in agreement.

Sorry if this is all too much modesty talk for you, but the subject has been on my mind as I map out my sermon series on 1 Timothy.

Married (or unmarried) men:  Were you to be spotted staring at a woman’s posterior (specifically not your wife’s) what would the response be?  What would your wife/say or think?  What would your brothers and sisters in Christ say or think?  Would the response be positive – like “I know right? Check that out!” or would it be cause for concern: “What’re you looking at?”  Let me assume it’s the latter.  If it’s the former, reconsider who’s holding you accountable.

Married (or unmarried) women: Were you to realize that a Christian man (other than your husband) was admiring your derrière what would your response be?  Would you be flattered that some guy was checking you out or would you be embarrassed?  Would you meet the man’s eyes and flirtatiously ask if he likes what he sees?  Would you act like you didn’t notice and allow him to keep staring?  Would you get red in the face with embarrassment and leave the area as quickly and discreetly as possible?  If you’re relishing in the attention given you to in such a scenario, may I suggest there may be a heart issue that needs to be corrected.

If you’re with me so far, we’re agreeing that the ogling of a woman’s backside is something that ought not be done by Christian men.  It’s something that Christian women likewise should not want to happen.  But do the clothes we regularly purchase bite their collective thumbs at this idea?

Enter the Old Navy Booty Reader (bootyreader.com) a new site launched by the clothing company designed to help you find the pair of jeans that will make your backside look as desirable as it can to any eyes that may look upon it.  There’s nothing shocking about Old Navy’s approach to jeans.  That jeans are designed to make your behind look as appealing as possible is no secret.

Now, if we’re all in agreement that Christian men staring at the bums of the mothers and daughters of the Church is bad, what might be the purpose of purchasing and wearing a product specifically designed to make a part of a woman’s body that’s not for public consumption (or adoration) look as alluring as it possibly can?

Women’s pants have evolved into a temple to glorify an object that men aren’t supposed to be staring at.  Consider the evolution of sweats (all of which I’ve actually seen worn in church):

Sweat pants -> Snugger Sweat pants -> Snugger Sweat pants rolled down to or below pelvis -> Snugger Sweat pants rolled down to or below pelvis with words written across the rear -> Snugger Sweat pants rolled down to or below pelvis with words written across the rear (in sparkly, shiny letters).  The only thing left is to actually install a neon sign with an arrow pointing to the backside flashing “Check this out!”

So what do you think? Is there value in wearing clothing designed to draw attention towards the parts of our bodies that were intended for the enjoyment (visually and otherwise) of no one but our spouses?  Is wearing clothes that draw eyes to “sexual hot-zones” a violation of 1 Timothy 2:9-10?

I think it’s an example of  the spirit of the age defining how the faithful live.  But maybe I’m wrong.  Drop some knowledge on me in the comments section.