What's Up With the Fig Leaves?: The Principles and Purposes of Modesty Uncovered (Focus for Women)

Confession #1: This is the first time I have had occasion to write a review on a book by an author who happens also to be a friend of mine...in fact, I read a very early draft of this work, and offered both my two cents' worth of criticism ("I think your metaphors collided a bit, there"), and encouragement (“ No, no, of course you don’t have too many footnotes!”). After that I never saw it again until it had been completed, polished, and then whacked down to its present much-reduced-size by the advice/demand of her publisher. However, when it comes to reviews, not even friendship could draw from me any sort of praise IN PRINT of a work that I did not actually admire, even though I might be impelled to murmur something vaguely complimentary in person, in the event that I happened to find myself trapped in a literary discussion beyond my control (and even then, one can always fall back on enthusiastic commendations of incidentals, like cover design). Confession #2: I don’t think I’ve ever read another book wholly devoted to the topic of modesty, from a Christian perspective or otherwise—at least not one written within the last two centuries–and perhaps my reaction to the contents of Heather’s book would be different if I had. For all I know to the contrary, most, if not all, of these sorts of books are well-researched, well-documented, thought-provoking, educational and (last, but certainly not least, in my estimation) eminently readable and frequently amusing . Ergo, if I’d already perused a half a dozen similar books, I might have been much less impressed by Heather’s achievement (though I would still have found it entertaining). Those two confessions being out of the way, we now come to the main point—if not the bulk—of my review, which is merely this: If you are seeking a book on the subject of modesty that will come with multiple appendices giving exact skirt measurements (with perhaps a handy, fold-out paper ruler), verboten fabric choices, and a two-page list of websites currently offering cape-dress patterns and acceptable beachwear for the conscientious and discerning woman (like www.noinchofskinleftuncovered.com), then continue your search: this is not the book you’re looking for. If, on the other hand, you want a concise work on an important Christian topic that yet manages to examine it from head to toe—from Garden of Eden aprons to modern bikinis and burquas—and delves into its origins, implications, distortions, and cultural manifestations by utilizing sources as varied as Greek dictionaries and the opinions of John Calvin to Havelock Ellis, then this may, indeed, be your journey’s end. That being said...don’t expect El Dorado. As Heather points out in the end of the chapter “Culture, Modesty and the Christian”: ‘The problem with modesty is not that it’s so unclear...the real problem is that it has the potential of being so uncomfortable.’ Modesty, it seems, like almost everything else in the Christian life, finds its perfect expression when it is governed by the “royal law” of love: when we are “kindly affectionate to one another...in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10). And the royal law is remarkably callous about the fact that our closets may be full of the cutest fashions in which we look REALLY GOOD. Speaking of giving preference--Heather, I’m sorry, but you’re stuck at four stars. Only Jane Austen gets five.

Let me start by saying wow. What a thoroughly researched and thought provoking book. I probably haven't taken the time to think long and hard about modesty since the time five years ago that I taught a Middle School Girl's Bible Study. I was blown away by Thieneman's careful research and clear humility which was coupled with grace. This was a wonderful read that I whole heartily recommend. If you happen to come across this book pay special attention to the last paragraph on page 199. The book is worth its cost just in that one paragraph.