Lie #5: Modesty is an Outdated Burden That Serves Male Dominance And Holds Women Back
Ryan Wassell
In Butterfield’s last section of her book, she sets her sights on the issue of modesty. “Modesty,” she argues, “is a virtue” (268). And being a virtue, modesty has “valor, worth, merit, and moral perfection” (269). It is not weak or outdated. It is beautiful. It is godly. It is “a stunning embodiment of moral beauty” (269).
Sadly, however, many Christian women, Butterfield argues, have replaced modesty with exhibitionism. Butterfield never defines exhibitionism directly, but it seems to be the kind of active, sinful, self-honoring, expression of one’s self through inappropriate dress (suggestive, revealing, flirtatious) and certain uses of social media (270-272). Drawing upon the book of Hebrews and John Owen’s work Overcoming Sin and Temptation, Butterfield, encourages Christian women (and men) towards modesty and prudence. We’d all do well to heed her exhortation, “Sin of all kinds, but especially sexual sin, is the church’s greatest scandal. Modesty in dress, speech, and conduct are good practices, helping us safeguard against our own sin and against being a temptation for others” (279).