Modesty: More Than a Change of Clothes by Martha Peace

Modesty: More Than a Change of Clothes Reviews

• 
  Hilary

  2.5 stars
  
  I was a little torn when it came to the rating. On the one hand, this very clearly defines modesty as being of the heart and not legalistic. On the other, it still falls squarely into the "modesty is for girls/women" camp without even alluding to issues regarding young men walking around shirtless, or with tight clothing, or with *their* underwear showing. (And I don't deny that men are generally more visual, but it's unrealistic to expect women to be modest if the men are all walking around half-naked.)
  
  I could feel myself bristling as I read even though, as an adult woman, this isn't specifically targeted at me; I don't disagree with the advice at all, but the manner of giving it (slightly patronising and heavy-handed) is the issue.
  
  That's my personal beef out of the way. I very much appreciated the repeated concentration on changing your heart, because modesty comes from within: not because your parents told you to, or because it makes you feel superior. I also appreciated the reminder that when your desire is to please God you don't try to skirt the line as closely as possible, and the discussion of Paul and Timothy's strictures (and the full context of those) - I definitely learned something new there!
  
  The general format was okay, though it didn't flow easily. There's a piece from Martha, then one from Pastor Kent followed by some review questions to encourage thought. There were some great points about the dichotomy in how men and women think about the same situation, and a very comprehensive Index of Scripture for your own study.
  
  In short, I'd use this as a book to encourage discussion. It would probably be great to use as a youth study, working through one chapter a week, especially if you use some of the scenarios as jumping off points for frank discussion (with both the boys and the girls). It's too heavy-handed for a straight-through read though.
  
  Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Rebekah Schrepfer

  Martha Peace is a wonderful author for women’s issues, not the least of which is her book, “The Excellent Wife“. She teams up with Pastor Kent Keller to bring us a book solely devoted to the topic of modesty. The book is geared toward young women in particular, but I think women of all ages can benefit from it.
  
  The emphasis on the heart issues is so refreshing. Although details about specific items of clothing are addressed, by far the priority of the book is to focus on the heart’s attitude toward God and His value of your body. The seriousness of the sin of nakedness and immodesty is clear. Clothing itself does not change a heart, but Keller and Peace are right to point out that “immodesty and sinful people make for an explosive combination” (Loc. 543).
  
  There is a section devoted to parents in particular which is helpful. I am considering reading this book along with my young daughters when they reach puberty. There are discussion questions and a Scripture index that make this book very easy to use in a group setting or individually with your own daughter.
  
  The only caution I would express is the use of the term “legalism”. They define the word as “a sinful way of trying to please God,” and “adding to God’s Word.” (Loc. 1533) The definition I’ve always heard growing up was that legalism is adding to the gospel itself. Trying to earn salvation or keep from losing it by works is true legalism. But these days the circle has been drawn larger so that term, legalism, is now used for anything that leads to that belief, I guess. Piety and striving to please God as a Christian is a good thing, not a bad thing (1 Thess. 4:1; Heb. 11:5-6; Col. 1:10; Gal. 1:10).
  
  ** I read this book on my Kindle, hence the denotation of location numbers (Loc.) rather than page numbers.
  
  
  See more of my book reviews and articles at MostlySensible.com.
• 
  DD

  This was very good, but really meant for teenagers. I would think you could have a mature 11 year old read it as well. I'd like to read this with my daughters when they are at the appropriate age. Hopefully at that age they'll still let me read with them at night.
• 
  Kristina Wilson

  2.5 stars, rounded up
  
  This is one of the very few books I could find on the topic of modesty from a Biblical perspective. It's geared to teenage girls specifically, not so much adults, and completely ignores that men can also be immodest. At times, this read as legalistic, despite a chapter about that exact topic.
• 
  Danette

  I appreciated the focus on our hearts before God and our desire to please Him and put Him first in our lives. There is very little focus on hemlines and necklines. Each chapter ends with questions to help us examine our own hearts and motives.
  There is a clear explanation of the gospel at the end.
  
  "If your primary motive in life is to be charming and beautiful, then you are deceiving yourself with a vain, empty, or useless life purpose that will ultimately let you down because it leads you away from God. If your motive is to please God, you will find joy that is utterly satisfying as you depend upon Him for His grace and do what He says."
  
  "Modesty includes what we do, say, and think. Biblical modesty does not teach that you must dress in an ugly way or be out of fashion. Be beautiful, but be modest in the presentation of your beauty!"
  
  "When I’ve been extremely careful to follow God’s Word, He will like me again when He sees how obedient I am” - this is legalism. You are using works to try to earn God's grace - an impossibility by its very definition. Grace can never be earned as a ‘payment for services rendered,’ since it is always a gift!"
  
  "John Owen
  Fill your affections with the cross of Christ … that there may be no room for sin."
  
  "God demands that we obey by repenting and believing the gospel, but He enables us to obey, in the first place, by giving us the gifts of repentance and faith. So we don’t do anything by ourselves; we can’t. But we can receive and apply the gifts that God gives us."
  
  2022 A book you don't want to read but think you should
• 
  Chris

  You will be hard press to find books written on modesty. It is even more difficult to find a book that talks about both outward and inward modesty. Right now I think this is one of the best book out there on this topic. Martha Peace and Kent Keller teams up for this book, each bringing their perspective into the issue. Although the book is written primarily for ladies, Keller helps the ladies understand the struggles a man faces when woman are dressed immodestly. This allows the ladies to have a general idea how modesty matters not just to themselves, but also to men strive to stay pure.
  
  The book first drives at an important point, they want the readers to understand that modesty is an inward change and attitude. The heart needs to embrace modesty from the inside out before we move to talk about what or what not to wear. Next, Keller helps readers understand the difference between man and women. I appreciate how Keller bring out several examples which I felt was aptly and accurately described. I find myself nodding and agreeing to most of the points that were raised yet at the same time wondered why no one has written as clearly as he has regarding this issue.
  
  Next the authors examine the Old and New Testaments regarding the theology of clothing. One of the key teaching Peace and Keller examine is why clothes are even necessary in the first place. This bring us all the way back to Genesis, where God is the one who clothes us. God is the one who defines modesty for us. At the New Testament section, Peace and Keller drives back to the central point of the modesty of the heart. As I read this book, I was very thankful the authors decided to go back to this point repeatedly. This makes the book useful and applicable even when the fashion sense has changed over time. No matter how fashion has changed, if the desire to be modest comes from the heart and is guided by the teachings of the Bible, then it can be applied at any time.
  
  Lastly, the authors gives the hope of the gospel for those who might have been immodest. The authors direct the readers to Christ the Saviour who has bled and died for the immodest, to make them clean and modest.
  
  I find this book very helpful to those who are mentoring teenagers. The book is not very long with short chapters. Parents may also want to read this with their daughters to help ground them with a biblical understanding of modesty. Guys may not find this book as helpful as the girls, but pastors should give this book a read so they know what books to direct their youths to if they are interested to read up on this topic.
  
  Rating: 4.75 / 5
  
  Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
• 
  Mariejkt

  I really did enjoy this book even as an adult women since this book is geared toward teen girls. I was so glad the book did not go into legalistic rules on clothing but dealt with the heart issue of modesty. It was a very refreshing book on the touchy subject of modesty. I was also glad that we had a woman's view and a man's view which were divided into sections of writings by each author instead of being mashed together not know who was writing. I highly recommend this book not just for teen girls but even for us adult women as a reminder for ourselves. I was given this book from Net Galley for my honest review.
• 
  Brandi

  More like 2.5…..There were parts that were very good. The emphasis on the heart attitude and desires was excellent. They were clear that it is our sinful desires that lead to wanting to choose actions and clothing that may bring attention to ourselves. However, the authors repeatedly mentioned that girls need to be careful so they don’t tempt men into lustful thoughts — yet Scripture is clear that it is our own sinful desires that tempt us (not other people’s actions and clothing). I understand the importance of not being a stumbling block, but this point was overemphasized and needs more clarification so that girls don’t think they are solely responsible for making sure that guys’ thoughts are pure. Some Scriptures are stretched to prove their point. I would only recommend this to read if I were reading and discussing it with the other person so that we could look up the verse references to study thoroughly and add a more balanced perspective to the topic.
• 
  Lisa

  Needed in today's culture
  
  Wonderful read. Full of Scripture to back up the reasons. I like the 2 part thoughts from Martha & Ken. We need to realize that our.motives are just as important and leads us to be modest. Who are we dressing for and why can lead to answers of how we should dress . I enjoyed that the authors did not just assume that those who have already come to Christ are reading this and gave the Gospel message.
• 
  Molly Love

  Some really helpful points in here and ways to think (and pray) about modesty in light of Scripture. However, the unfortunate thing is those thoughts get heavily outweighed by how ridiculously pedantic the book is. If you can stand to be talked to like a barely adolescent girl (maybe it should have just been marketed that way) then there are good nuggets of wisdom to find here.
• 
  Anita

  Great book!
  
  Although the book is specifically geared to Christian teen girls, it is filled with biblical truths and wisdom that is also applicable for Christian women. The books ends with a thorough Gospel presentation. Highly recommend!
• 
  Monique Moore

  Thorough and Gospel-centered
  
  This book is easy to read, yet very thorough. Great for a family or a young adult group to go through, or for individual study.