Modest: Men and Women Clothed in the Gospel

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Modest: Men and Women Clothed in the Gospel

by R.W. Glenn, Tim Challies (Goodreads Author)

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 35 ratings · 18 reviews

Modesty is about freedom, not rules. Does that seem off? What we mean is that what you say or do or wear is not really the point, not ultimately. In a sense, we don't even care what you choose. But we care a lot about why you make the choices you do regarding clothing or speech or behavior. Because what really matters here is your heart. The point of this book is that true...more

Paperback, 106 pages

Published August 1st 2012 by Cruciform Press

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Mar 25, 2013 Tim Woody rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: practical

"Let's say that we could agree on a one-piece bathing suit as modest...Is this modest? Suppose you said yes. Very well, then, if you're a woman, wear your one-piece to church next Sunday...This illustration brings up one of the most difficult aspects of the subject of modesty- it seems largely like a contextual question."

Tim Challies and R W Glenn take a good crack at modesty in this modest book. They are able to breathe some fresh air into a room filled with misconceptions and misapplied scrip...more

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Dec 07, 2012 Faith Farrell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cruciform Press publishes one kind of book. Cross focused Gospel proclaiming books. And you might at first wonder- How do you write a Cross focused Gospel proclaiming book about Modesty?

Here is how. Modest: Men and Women clothed in the Gospel, by Tim Challies, author, pastor and blogger, and R W Glenn, Pastor of Redeemer Bible Church.
"The foremost reason we’ve written this book is that it’s so easy to talk about modesty (or any other virtue, for that matter) without reference to the gospel" "...more

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Nov 22, 2012 Melinda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-life, favorite-books, favorites

"Modest" is a refreshing study on applying the Gospel to modesty. Instead of laying out legalistic rules or telling the reader that no rules or boundaries apply to modesty, the authors simply discuss what modesty means, how and why we are immodest, and discuss both legalism and Antinomianism. I was overjoyed to finally find a book on modesty that I could recommend because of the balance and truth filling its pages.

The authors state that they wrote this book "...because modesty is a neglected fi...more "Modest" is a refreshing study on applying the Gospel to modesty. Instead of laying out legalistic rules or telling the reader that no rules or boundaries apply to modesty, the authors simply discuss what modesty means, how and why we are immodest, and discuss both legalism and Antinomianism. I was overjoyed to finally find a book on modesty that I could recommend because of the balance and truth filling its pages.

The authors state that they wrote this book "...because modesty is a neglected field of Christian study, because modesty is a pastoral concern, and most importantly, because we cannot let Christian modesty fall into moralism. It is and must remain one of the many outcroppings of the gospel of grace."

"Modesty, apart from the gospel, becomes a self-made religion that can give some appearance of being the genuine article but that is in the end of no value (none!) in our battle with the sinful and inordinate desires of our hearts. If we reduce modesty to certain rules of dress, we are completely separating the concept of modesty from the person and work of Jesus Christ. As a result, we may have the appearance of godliness, but not a whole lot more."

This short 85 page book is a power-packed, convicting heart checker. I found myself realizing wrong philosophies that I had allowed myself to believe. I think I'm fairly modest, in both dress and speech, but what motivates my modesty? Is it a heartfelt, grateful response to the work Jesus did for me on the cross? Or am I motivated by the fear of man, by pride, and by self-seeking worship?

"Modest" cuts through meaningless debates on "how short is too short, how tight is too tight" and others and breaks through to the heart of the matter. Whether you are "ultra conservative" in your dress, or fairly "liberal" in your dress, this book will search your heart and point you back to the person you should be dressing, speaking, and living for. If you want to be challenged in how you view the gospel of Christ in the little details of your life, I'd encourage you to read this book. (less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Heather rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-living

This book departs from most books and teaching on modesty by emphasizing looking to our culture to discover what is modest. While most may believe that culture plays a role in determining what is modest, I have not seen any other Christian writing that gives culture such a large role and in this I believe it deviates from historic Christian teaching on the subject (though such writings have sometimes mentioned living “according to our place and station”, they have seldom, if ever, given such a g...more This book departs from most books and teaching on modesty by emphasizing looking to our culture to discover what is modest. While most may believe that culture plays a role in determining what is modest, I have not seen any other Christian writing that gives culture such a large role and in this I believe it deviates from historic Christian teaching on the subject (though such writings have sometimes mentioned living “according to our place and station”, they have seldom, if ever, given such a great emphasis to the role of culture in determining what is modest). This book, it must be said, doesn't give culture the last word, it says there are times when we should not "cross clear biblical lines" regardless of what our culture does, (p.71) (it doesn't say what those lines are and of course that seems to be the problem with modesty, the Bible doesn't give any clear lines). However, the overwhelming emphasis of this book is on seeking to base our clothing choices on what our culture regards as appropriate, even saying that we can “violate” modesty by dressing more “conservatively” than our culture does (p.70). It even goes so far as to say "you may be disturbed by our culture's apparent jettisoning of the virtue of modesty simply because you have embraced an earlier (or different) standard that you then uncharitably demand that other people live up to." (p.25) So this book is not just saying that I can dress as (im)modestly as my culture, it seems to be saying I should!

This book bases the high regard it gives to culture on two things that I can see. First, this claim is based on CS Lewis's teaching that modesty must be distinguished from chastity. That is, the thinking goes, modesty is not a matter of sexual purity and therefore it can change drastically from culture to culture (Lewis writes: “A girl in the Pacific islands wearing hardly any clothes and a Victorian lady completely covered in clothes might both be equally ‘modest’, proper, or decent, according to the standards of their own societies.”) But historic confessions, such as the Westminster, have listed immodesty as a breaking of the commandment against adultery. The traditional Christian understanding has been that modesty is a matter of sexual purity and not just a “social rule” (as this book claims on p.21).

Second, is the fact that Paul speaks against braids in I Timothy 2. This is likened to wearing a French braid, which few people today would say is immodest, with the conclusion that what is modest changes from culture to culture. But that is not an accurate comparison. William Hendriksen in his commentary on this passage writes, "But what about these braids which were popular in the world of Paul's day? No expense was spared to make them dazzling….The braids were fastened by jewelled tortoise-shell combs, or by pins of ivory or silver….Braids, in those days, often represented fortunes. They were articles of luxury! The Christian woman is warned not to indulge in such extravagance.” Furthermore, even if what is immodest in regards to extravagance may change from culture to culture, it does not follow that what is immodest in regards to revealing certain parts of our body is equally flexible.

Certainly the relationship between modesty and culture is tricky. I believe Biblical principles would point to clear implications in our dress were our minds not darkened by sin and by our culture, therefore looking to culture for our answers will just further darken our minds. A better solution is to seek to have our minds renewed by Biblical teaching on modesty and purity and prayerfully arrive at our convictions. Then, if our culture expects more than we believe God expects, we should be willing to live by its higher standards, but we should not lower our standards. And as we live faithfully by the light God has given us, willing to endure the ridicule of the world when necessary but never seeking it out unnecessarily, we have warrant to believe that God will give us more light to better understand what is modest and immodest.

This book also does a poor job of expounding the two main texts on modesty in the Bible (I Timothy 2:9 and I Peter 3:3). It says of the I Timothy passage that it "doesn't add much to the English dictionary definition." But that passage uses three different words (Greek: Kosmios, Aidos, Sophrosune, ESV: respectable, modesty, self-control) to show what a woman's dress should be and this book takes only a surface glance at one of the words (modesty). I’m not aware that the I Peter passage is mentioned anywhere.

The book reminds us of some good things, especially relating to the gospel, but I believe it undermines the very foundation of modesty. If modesty is about following our culture’s lead, then Christians today are doing a terrific job of being modest! This may be what many people want to hear, but I am convinced it is not the truth. I am afraid that many will be so won over by the emphasis on the gospel that they will not carefully evaluate the claims this book is making, but as Bereans we must do more than just make sure the word gospel is used lavishly before embracing a teaching.
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Aug 17, 2012 Jeanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series-fiction, cruciform-read

Modesty is more than I thought it was. It's funny when you look at Modesty thru the lens of the Gospel, there is always more than meets the eye. This short book did just that. Taking the culture, legalism, and any other ism, you see that the Gospel must be centered to have any heart change and impact others for Christ. Because anything we do, it does affect others. I think that gripped me the most. Since modesty can come in many different forms, you can see the affect you have on others. Some of...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Den Autoren ist es ein Anliegen, ihr Buch da anzusiedeln, wo Gnade und Tugend ihre Wege kreuzen. Sie wollen die Tugend der Bescheidenheit und des Anstands im Evangelium verwurzelt sehen und nicht in einer moralisierenden Gesetzlichkeit. Auch ist es ihnen wichtig, sie nicht nur zu einem Frauenthema zu machen oder allein auf die Kleidung zu beziehen und eine Liste von Regeln aufzustellen. Sie wollen an die Wurzel des Problems, das wir alle mit Anstand und Bescheidenheit haben. Und als diese Wurzel...more Den Autoren ist es ein Anliegen, ihr Buch da anzusiedeln, wo Gnade und Tugend ihre Wege kreuzen. Sie wollen die Tugend der Bescheidenheit und des Anstands im Evangelium verwurzelt sehen und nicht in einer moralisierenden Gesetzlichkeit. Auch ist es ihnen wichtig, sie nicht nur zu einem Frauenthema zu machen oder allein auf die Kleidung zu beziehen und eine Liste von Regeln aufzustellen. Sie wollen an die Wurzel des Problems, das wir alle mit Anstand und Bescheidenheit haben. Und als diese Wurzel identifizieren sie unsere Neigung zum Götzendienst und geistlichen Ehebruch, d.h. dass wir etwas anderes statt oder neben Gott zum Gegenstand unsrer Zuneigung machen. Das ehebrecherische Herz glaubt Lügen und falschen Glücks-Versprechungen. Im Falle unbescheidenen Auftretens lassen wir uns meist von der Sehnsucht nach der Anerkennung anderer leiten.
Der Begriff "modesty" ist nicht ganz leicht zu übersetzen. Die zutreffendsten Vokabeln sind wohl Bescheidenheit und Sittsamkeit. Ebenso nicht ganz einfach ist die Definition. Die Autoren stellen fest, dass Sittsamkeit immer eine Frage des kuturellen Kontexts ist und von der jeweiligen Situation abhängt. Z.B. wird ein Badeanzug im Schwimmbad als anständig empfunden, so wird ihn doch niemand zum Bewerbungsgespräch anziehen. Schon von daher kann es keine Checkliste geben, was anstädig oder unanständig ist, sondern sind wir darauf angewiesen, Feingefühl für die Situationen zu entwickeln und unser Gewissen von Gott prägen zu lassen. Und eben wegen des Kultur-Faktors und unterschiedlicher menschlicher und geistlicher Reife warnen sie uns davor, die Herzensmotive anderer zu beurteilen.
An den Grenzen der Unbescheidenheit liegt das bewusst unmoralische Verhalten, das andere sexuell reizen will und die Lieblosigkeit, die findet, die Prüden sollten sich mal nicht so haben.
Die Autoren raten uns, die "Wurzeln auszugraben", um die eigenen Motive zu erkennen und vielleicht auch einen guten Freund /eine gute Freundin zu bitten, uns zu sagen, wie er/sie uns wahrnimmt.
In einem ausführlichen Anhang weisen sie noch mal auf die speziellen Gefahren männlicher Eitelkeit hin, weil man Probleme mit Bescheidenheit oft mehr den Frauen zuweist. Beide Geschlechter sind aber auf ihre Weise gefährdet.
Fazit: Ein hilfreiches Buch, eben weil es unter der Oberfläche des Verhaltens schürft. Es lässt sich schön zusammenfassen in einem der letzten Sätze: "Bescheidenes Verhalten ist ein Lebensstil des Dienens. Wir gehen aus dem Weg, damit andere Jesus sehen können."
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Mar 12, 2013 Becky Pliego rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: family, living-the-gospel, manhood, read-in-2013, women

I love the principle of this book: start with the gospel (Grace vs Law). It is absolutely important when addressing this issue to keep in mind that legalism and moralism are two dangers that we want to avoid.

I appreciate that this book is written by two Pastors and that they also address it to men.

This book, however, has still some gaps that are not easy to fill. The culture in which we live cannot be the measure of our modesty, neither the context of the situations (not always). It goes beyond...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Dave Jenkins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Popular magazines, fashion and television glorify the “modern” woman as dressing in tight or form fitting clothing. The modern “woman” our culture teaches is be dressed in clothes that show off her body, and men are to do the same. In our culture there is a lot of confusion about what modesty is even in the church. Into this culture book authors Tim Challies and RW Glenn wrote Modest Men and Women Clothed in the Gospel to speak to this important issue.

When some read the title Modest they may imm...more Popular magazines, fashion and television glorify the “modern” woman as dressing in tight or form fitting clothing. The modern “woman” our culture teaches is be dressed in clothes that show off her body, and men are to do the same. In our culture there is a lot of confusion about what modesty is even in the church. Into this culture book authors Tim Challies and RW Glenn wrote Modest Men and Women Clothed in the Gospel to speak to this important issue.

When some read the title Modest they may immediately think this book is about clothing, but to do so is to miss the point of the book. This book isn’t about our clothes but about our hearts which gravitate towards sin. Modesty is an issue because we are sinners living in a sinful world where we make sinful choices about what we wear under the guise of attracting people towards ourselves. Modesty is an issue precisely at this point, because attracting people’s attending toward ourselves and away from God is not only wrong its idolatry.

The authors state that they wrote this book “not because we have a bone to pick with women or because bathing suits make us nervous but because we want to help men and women both discover the joy and freedom of gospel modesty in all of life” (7). The authors write because modesty “is neglected” (10). The focus of this book is on the fact that “Christian modesty must be rooted in the gospel of grace” (12). Along the way the authors confront legalism and modesty an issue that many struggle with. In confronting cultural issues the authors confront the culture head on with the Gospel challenging Christians that “when the gospel controls your modesty, you won’t see it as a way of putting God in your debt because you don’t need to twist God’s arm to accept you—he already accepts you freely and fully in Jesus Christ. This gives you both the ability and the desire to respond to him by joyfully being modest in appearance and character” (36).

Modest is an important book for readers to consider because it confronts an issue every Christian man and woman deals with everyday whether they are in a mall, at work, or in church. This book will help Christians to think through what a grace-centered approach to modesty is which is why I recommend Christians struggling with immodesty and those who think those who wear tight or form fitting clothing are second class people read this book. In this book Glenn and Challies help us avoid pitfalls related to modesty by focusing our attention on the life-giving and life-transforming grace of God that transforms not just what we wear, but also our hearts, and renews our minds so we can walk not in the flesh but in obedience to God and His Word.

Title: Modest: Men and Women Clothed in the Gospel

Author: RW Glenn and Tim Challies

Publisher: Cruciform Books (2012)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Cruciform Press book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Feb 18, 2013 Craig Hurst rated it 4 of 5 stars

The idea of modesty for Christians has been predominately cast within the framework of a set of rules about what kind of clothing (mainly for girls) is considered to be appropriate. Whether its shirts below the knees, dresses to the floor or necklines for shirts no lower than the collar bone, the list of do’s and don’ts can be long – really long. But is this kind of list what God intends for us to have and hold others accountable to when it comes to modesty? Where do we get such a list from anyw...more

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Nov 20, 2012 KC McCauley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-living, youth

This book provides a refreshing perspective on modesty. Instead of looking at a list of rules, it analyzes the desires and intentions of the heart and how immodestly is ultimately rooted in idolatry and adultery. The authors paint a picture of modesty in light of the gospel, which refutes legalism and a license to sin. Also, there is a section on modesty for men, which is very helpful and informative. This book is a must read for a generation of immodest dressing and behavior.

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Sep 13, 2012 Mark A Powell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Modesty is more an issue of the heart than clothing, according to Challies and Glenn. The strength of their argument is their refusal to produce pharisaical lists of what Christians can wear, watch, and so on. While many gravitate to such guides, the legalistic tendency of self-made righteousness inherent in those lists often produces attitudes that can undermine the gospel. Though presented well, the book is very short and could have used a more thorough treatment.

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Feb 04, 2013 Bob rated it 2 of 5 stars

I liked how the authors framed the issue, I liked their intended approach, and I think they did okay. However in the end it was just okay, I think we make way too much out of peripheral issues. I truly believe that if one is growing in the grace & knowledge of Christ this issue will be resolved. If it remains an issue it has more to do with the heart, in fact it has everything to do with the heart. The book does state that but I still say it was just okay.

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Aug 24, 2012 Marguerite Harrell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This is a great book to read and very different from any kind of Modest book to read. Addressed to both Men and Women. There isn't any a set of rules what not to wear or what to wear in that book. Yet a very challenging book to read and hitting the nail in your motivate and your heart desire. This is Christ-Center and Gospel-Center book. Great book to read.

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May 18, 2013 Victor Chininin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Finally! A short but not simplistic book on how the gospel affects modesty. It is not all about rules or complete freedom from rules but from whether or not your heart believes the gospel. A helpful corrective to "Modesty issues? Wear longer skirts" ideas of modesty. Very helpful.

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Apr 08, 2013 Amy Lee Ellis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-living

3.5 stars An interesting read that deals not just with the outward look of modesty, but also with the inward issues of the heart involved. I found it challenging even though I wished there had been more specific guidance. My complete review is at Making a Joyful Home: http://makingajoyfulhome.blogspot.com...

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Nov 26, 2012 Jonathan Seger rated it 4 of 5 stars

A helpful corrective to many legalistic & antinomian approaches to modesty.

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Aug 18, 2012 Mike Hyatt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-living

Chapter 2 - "Defining Modesty" is worth the price of the book. Found that chapter immensely helpful.

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Oct 28, 2012 Karel marked it as to-read

Shelves: doctrine-of-sanctification

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