Modest - Men and Women Clothed in the Gospel

Christian pastors R.W. Glenn and Tim Challies address modesty as an issue of the heart for both women and men in this 86-page booklet. Clothing rules are purposely avoided in favor of defining modesty as a spiritual virtue enabled by the grace of God that motivates outward choices of dress. Not all readers will agree with the authors' assertion that the acceptable level of modesty in clothing coverage varies according to culture, which they admit requires some exceptions in order to "object conscientiously to immodesty when we see it" (p. 49). Only two specific examples are given for rising above cultural standards in order to be more modest, swimwear on the beach and a woman's "way-too-tight, way-too-low, way-too-short, way-too-everything dress" at a wedding (pp. 24, 76). This booklet would be useful to pastors preparing to speak to their congregations about modesty and for encouraging Christian women who dress and act on the liberal side of Western cultural standards toward more moderate choices.