How to approach someone?

llleopard

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What constitutes unconventional? Do you use a weird filter or something? :)
Creative and somewhat startling artistic nudes of me and/or others. We have great fun with it as well as our regular photography business like portraits and weddings, but sometimes Christians get upset about it, so we don't advertise it on our website
 

Thunderian

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Creative and somewhat startling artistic nudes of me and/or others. We have great fun with it as well as our regular photography business like portraits and weddings, but sometimes Christians get upset about it, so we don't advertise it on our website
Does your church know about this? Do you understand why some might view it as a bit odd for Christians to be involved in nude photography?
 
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floss

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Does your church know about this? Do you understand why some might view it as a bit odd for Christians to be involved in nude photography?
And she is preaching behind the pulpit... think we found the answer for OP.
 

llleopard

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Does your church know about this? Do you understand why some might view it as a bit odd for Christians to be involved in nude photography?
Some do, some don't.We don't advertise it, but we don't hide it either. Some people get prudish about it, fine. Some start off offended, then figure out we're not Satan in the flesh and end up taking the time to understand our work and why we do it. It's a hobby, it's not pornographic. Very little about either of us is conventional. Big deal!
 

llleopard

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And she is preaching behind the pulpit... think we found the answer for OP.
I don't think so. It has never been an issue, because it is a non issue to people with their heads out of their own backsides. I am sure that if that was the problem he would be talking to the elders! You two seem to not accept women speaking at all, let alone what photos they take In their spare time! It wouldn't matter to you if I was the most repressed, buttoned up apparently perfect person in your judgement....as long as I'm female I will never be acceptable up the front anyway!
 

Awoken2

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People nowadays think they should have been born as a tree or a giraffe
...hmmm,... bit giraffist that to be honest...

...(munches another eucalyptus leaf)

Wow. Bullying by exclusion - teenager style.
Passive aggressive behaviour doesn't end with youth, some people continue with it all their lives. The OP doesn't need to do anything to reconcile the situation, it's the passive aggressive that needs to change their manipulative behaviour.

And she is preaching behind the pulpit... think we found the answer for OP.
That's extremely judgemental...don't you think? Can't a female with tattoos teach you anything?...Gee!
 
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floss

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It’s not my opinion. You don’t have to believe the Bible but I do. Women are not to be preaching behind the pulpit period, unless you’re in a liberal church like OP seem to be.

1 Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1cor14
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
 

Karlysymon

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It’s not my opinion. You don’t have to believe the Bible but I do. Women are not to be preaching behind the pulpit period, unless you’re in a liberal church like OP seem to be.

1 Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1cor14
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Are you against a prophetess standing behind the pulpit? There are many situations that aren't exactly ideal. There are many places in the world where there aren't capable men willing to invest time and other resources into shepherding a flock and women step in. What's going to happen to communities that have been emptied of their men during the collapse?
Iam okay with women behind the pulpit but iam not okay with women ordination. You can't do scertain things if you aren't ordained.

This isn't directed at you but if women aren't allowed to preach at all, why do some men bail on their responsibility when it comes to family worship, letting the wife to get on with it?
 
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floss

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Are you against a prophetess standing behind the pulpit? There are many situations that aren't exactly ideal. There are many places in the world where there aren't capable men willing to invest time and other resources into shepherding a flock and women step in. What's going to happen to communities that have been emptied of their men during the collapse?
Iam okay with women behind the pulpit but iam not okay with women ordination. You can't do scertain things if you aren't ordained.

This isn't directed at you but if women aren't allowed to preach at all, why do some men bail on their responsibility when it comes to family worship, letting the wife to get on with it?
I just simply go by what God said over anyone else. If He is against women preacher then who am I to say otherwise. If there aren’t any strong men to lead the congregation then there shouldn’t be a church. I don’t agree with putting weak men in charge then failed on their responsibilities. They need to pray for God to send a strong leader instead of putting a women in charge/behind pulpit. Women have a different role than men, they should never be leading any congregation, perhap house bible study. I would never go to a church with women behind the pulpit leading.
 
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Thunderian

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Some do, some don't.We don't advertise it, but we don't hide it either. Some people get prudish about it, fine. Some start off offended, then figure out we're not Satan in the flesh and end up taking the time to understand our work and why we do it. It's a hobby, it's not pornographic. Very little about either of us is conventional. Big deal!
I don't mind unconventional at all. Jesus needs more freaks. :)

However, I can't wrap my head around nude photography as a hobby for a Christian, especially if you are the one who is nude. Can you do this for the glory of God? It really just seems to be against Biblical principles. I am trying to think of any way a naked picture could not be immodest.

I am not condemning you. I just don't understand it.
 

llleopard

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I don't mind unconventional at all. Jesus needs more freaks. :)

However, I can't wrap my head around nude photography as a hobby for a Christian, especially if you are the one who is nude. Can you do this for the glory of God? It really just seems to be against Biblical principles. I am trying to think of any way a naked picture could not be immodest.

I am not condemning you. I just don't understand it.
It's just one of the photography things we do, not a whole lifestyle. It is not flaunting, immodest or pornographic, but tasteful, artistic and beautiful. My mom is a painter. She has nude paintings of herself and others around the house among other things. My dad is the staunchest Plymouth brethren and even he doesn't mind. It's just a body, not a big deal. To me, yes it does glorify God. I spent years being abused and shamed in my first marriages, and this kind of pic shows that God has changed, restored and healed so that I can be proud of what I am and confident instead of a trembling mess. It shows that my husband thinks I'm fabulous at 50 and worth making beautiful art out of.
 

Thunderian

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It's just one of the photography things we do, not a whole lifestyle. It is not flaunting, immodest or pornographic, but tasteful, artistic and beautiful. My mom is a painter. She has nude paintings of herself and others around the house among other things. My dad is the staunchest Plymouth brethren and even he doesn't mind. It's just a body, not a big deal. To me, yes it does glorify God. I spent years being abused and shamed in my first marriages, and this kind of pic shows that God has changed, restored and healed so that I can be proud of what I am and confident instead of a trembling mess. It shows that my husband thinks I'm fabulous at 50 and worth making beautiful art out of.
I can totally understand that. Thank you. I don't think being nude is necessarily a bad thing. I just needed to understand the context.
 

Daciple

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This isn't directed at you but if women aren't allowed to preach at all, why do some men bail on their responsibility when it comes to family worship, letting the wife to get on with it?
There is a difference between home and preaching to a Congregation. Also there is a difference between teaching and preaching, at home you are not preaching you are teaching your family and of course there is no problem with women teaching at home and to younger children.

Also there is a difference when the man isnt saved or leaves or isnt living up to their responsibility and having a man that is in the picture and then a women usurping their authority.

I mean the Bible is rather clear about this, if there is a Saved Man in the home or the Congregation then He should be the one who is leading everything and no woman should be trying to usurp their authority.

I also dont agree with there being any Modern Prophets, the Bible again IMO is quite clear on this:

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

In these the last days it is by Christ that God has spoken to us, everything we need is found in Him and thru the Word. There is no need for Prophets as they were in the Old Testament, God deals directly with us thru Christ, there is no need for a Prophet of God to tell us what God is up to. The Word declares Gods Will and God speaks to us thru Christ the mediator between Him and us, the role of Prophet as understood in the Old Testament is no longer nesseccary.

The only aspect of "Prophet" that exists is that a Prophet was one to declare Gods Word to others, which is simply the ministry we all have, in that aspect we are all Prophets.

However no woman should be preaching behind a Pulpit and no man ought to be there unless He is specifically called into that role. The Church has a massive huge problem with people who decide on their own that they want to be a Preacher then go get a piece of paper that tells the World they are allowed to preach.

I dont care in the least if someone when to some Bible School, what I care about is, has God Himself called you into that position, and it will show to those who are able to discern the Spirit. I was in a few Non Denominational Churches who had self appointed Pastors and Preachers. When they would get up there to "Preach" there was no power behind it, they followed an outline they found in a Book Store and "preached" the same dry message to 3 different gatherings.

I used to think that was what Preaching was, then God lead me to a real Church where the men are clearly anointed in that position, where when they preach I can actually feel the Holy Spirit move. I can feel conviction, I can feel joy, I can feel peace. Its a wholly different atmosphere, different Spirit, different everything there.

As others say I would not attend a Church that has a woman trying to Preach behind a Pulpit or as a Pastor, that is not Biblical.

As for the Nude painting thing, it is to each their own I suppose but I also know what the Bible declares:

1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works
.

IMO regardless of the context, nude women are always a temptation, just as men ought to dress accordingly not to provoke lust in others, Christian women shouldnt dress immodestly or be nude as it is going to be nothing but temptation. We can call it art but the fact is every man that looks upon your or another womens nude body are going to lust over it, if they say they dont (unless your absolutely unattractive but even then beauty is in the eye of the beholder) they are lying. It will and does provoke the lust and nothing good can come of it.

I would say if it was strictly between you and your husband at home, alone and with no one else to view it, that would be fine as that is between only the two of you. However the min that anyone else is brought into the mix it becomes temptation...
 

phipps

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It's just one of the photography things we do, not a whole lifestyle. It is not flaunting, immodest or pornographic, but tasteful, artistic and beautiful. My mom is a painter. She has nude paintings of herself and others around the house among other things. My dad is the staunchest Plymouth brethren and even he doesn't mind. It's just a body, not a big deal. To me, yes it does glorify God. I spent years being abused and shamed in my first marriages, and this kind of pic shows that God has changed, restored and healed so that I can be proud of what I am and confident instead of a trembling mess. It shows that my husband thinks I'm fabulous at 50 and worth making beautiful art out of.
Adam and Eve went without clothes when they were created. However, they were at this time in a state of innocence. Though they were intelligent creatures, they had no more sense of right and wrong than a baby does today. However, as soon as sin entered the world, they were ashamed of their nakedness and sought to cover themselves. From that time until now, God has treated nakedness outside of marriage as a shameful thing.

Several actions concerning nakedness (outside marriage where the bed is undefiled - Hebrews 13:4 are condemned in the Bible):

  1. It is a shame and wrong to uncover your nakedness to others. The priests were warned to wear undergarments so that their nakedness would not be discovered when they went up the steps to the altar in their robes. Their undergarments (linen breeches) were to cover from their loins (waist) to their thighs (Exodus 28:42). When the children of Israel made and worshipped the golden calf, Aaron "made them naked unto their shame" (Exodus 32:25). Isaiah 47:3 speaks of the shame of having your nakedness uncovered.
  2. It is a sin to uncover the nakedness of another. This is seen as leading to other sins (see Leviticus 18:6-18).
  3. It is wrong to look on the nakedness of others. Ham's son was cursed because Ham saw the nakedness of his father and went and talked about it (Genesis 9:22-23). Habakkuk 2:15 speaks of the wickedness of those who get someone drunk in order to "look on their nakedness."

One important point I need to make concerns the biblical definition of nakedness. We sometimes get the idea that nakedness refers only to having no clothing at all. However, this is neither true in the Bible nor in the English dictionary. One of the definitions for "naked" in my English dictionary is "without conventional or usual clothing." Many people do not know that the Bible often calls improper covering of the body nakedness. Most often it refers to the wearing of undergarments in public. This explains the nakedness of Saul (1 Samuel 19:24), of David (2 Samuel 6:14, 20; 1 Chronicles 15:27), of Isaiah (Isaiah 20:2-4), and of Peter (John 21:7). It is interesting that Peter did not want Jesus to see him naked.

We understand this definition in practice as well. If a person had no clothing except for a 6-inch square piece of cloth taped to the middle of their back, we would still consider them to be naked. The Bible teaches that improperly covered bodies are still naked. This is interesting in an age when many outer garments do not cover as much as undergarments did a short time ago.

We do not and cannot have the innocence of children. Therefore, we are not to run around in our nakedness. To do so is shameful and to look on the nakedness of others is sinful. Certainly, in working with young children and in working with the sick and elderly, there are times when caretakers will see their nakedness and there is nothing wicked in this (though proper respect should be given and the eyes should be averted when possible). God also makes an exception for a husband and wife. In fact, this is part of the significance of them being made one flesh. However, to purposely uncover our bodies for others to see or to gaze upon the nakedness of others to satisfy our own prurient interest are both sins in the Bible. This rules out any sort of nudist camp and many other things that are practised today.

We are not saying that the naked body is evil or repulsive; on the contrary, we see the body as a beautiful part of God’s creation. However, due to the fall, nudity now has implications of sinfulness attached to it. With few exceptions, the Bible presents nakedness as shameful and degrading. The only passages in which nudity is free of shame are those that describe Eden’s idyllic setting or that deal with marital relations (Proverbs 5:18-19; Song of Solomon 4).

It is a myth that art is inherently good simply because it is “art”; likewise, it is a myth that art is morally neutral, regardless of subject matter. We cannot evaluate art on mechanics or technique alone; we must also consider intent, theme, and subject matter. Philippians 4:8 can serve as a guide for judging the intangibles: is it true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy? This is the standard to which Christian artists are called.
 
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Karlysymon

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There is a difference between home and preaching to a Congregation. Also there is a difference between teaching and preaching, at home you are not preaching you are teaching your family and of course there is no problem with women teaching at home and to younger children.

Also there is a difference when the man isnt saved or leaves or isnt living up to their responsibility and having a man that is in the picture and then a women usurping their authority.

I mean the Bible is rather clear about this, if there is a Saved Man in the home or the Congregation then He should be the one who is leading everything and no woman should be trying to usurp their authority.

I also dont agree with there being any Modern Prophets, the Bible again IMO is quite clear on this:

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

In these the last days it is by Christ that God has spoken to us, everything we need is found in Him and thru the Word. There is no need for Prophets as they were in the Old Testament, God deals directly with us thru Christ, there is no need for a Prophet of God to tell us what God is up to. The Word declares Gods Will and God speaks to us thru Christ the mediator between Him and us, the role of Prophet as understood in the Old Testament is no longer nesseccary.

The only aspect of "Prophet" that exists is that a Prophet was one to declare Gods Word to others, which is simply the ministry we all have, in that aspect we are all Prophets.

However no woman should be preaching behind a Pulpit and no man ought to be there unless He is specifically called into that role. The Church has a massive huge problem with people who decide on their own that they want to be a Preacher then go get a piece of paper that tells the World they are allowed to preach.

I dont care in the least if someone when to some Bible School, what I care about is, has God Himself called you into that position, and it will show to those who are able to discern the Spirit. I was in a few Non Denominational Churches who had self appointed Pastors and Preachers. When they would get up there to "Preach" there was no power behind it, they followed an outline they found in a Book Store and "preached" the same dry message to 3 different gatherings.

I used to think that was what Preaching was, then God lead me to a real Church where the men are clearly anointed in that position, where when they preach I can actually feel the Holy Spirit move. I can feel conviction, I can feel joy, I can feel peace. Its a wholly different atmosphere, different Spirit, different everything there.

As others say I would not attend a Church that has a woman trying to Preach behind a Pulpit or as a Pastor, that is not Biblical.

As for the Nude painting thing, it is to each their own I suppose but I also know what the Bible declares:

1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works
.

IMO regardless of the context, nude women are always a temptation, just as men ought to dress accordingly not to provoke lust in others, Christian women shouldnt dress immodestly or be nude as it is going to be nothing but temptation. We can call it art but the fact is every man that looks upon your or another womens nude body are going to lust over it, if they say they dont (unless your absolutely unattractive but even then beauty is in the eye of the beholder) they are lying. It will and does provoke the lust and nothing good can come of it.

I would say if it was strictly between you and your husband at home, alone and with no one else to view it, that would be fine as that is between only the two of you. However the min that anyone else is brought into the mix it becomes temptation...
Is there really a difference between teaching and preaching? Jesus was called a teacher, obviously today we'd call Him a preacher. 2 Timothy 4 talks about people gathering teachers to themselves.

What about Sunday school? I don't see men in there, preaching to the kids.

As for prophets: Joel 2:28 and Malachi 4. Even though Peter and Christ quoted those verses respectively, they are fully applicable today.
 

Daciple

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Is there really a difference between teaching and preaching?
Yes 100%, let me ask is there a difference in your Church between the teaching in Sunday School and when the Preacher gets up to Preach?

In my Church it is completely 100% different. In Sunday School its a guy who usually isnt a preacher getting up and leading a lesson with input from the entire Congregation or Class.

When the Preacher gets up, the Spirit is completely different, He gets up preaches His message and we listen to it. We dont join in or interject or talk during his message we listen because that is Gods anointed speaking Gods message to our hearts. That is completely and totally different than someone teaching a class.

What about Sunday school? I don't see men in there, preaching to the kids.
What about Sunday School? In my Church women usually teach the younger classes and the Teens are taught by Men sometimes with a Woman as the assistant. Again there is a difference between Preaching and Teaching as I just pointed out...

As for prophets: Joel 2:28 and Malachi 4. Even though Peter and Christ quoted those verses respectively, they are fully applicable today.
I dont believe it is applicable, I believe that it has been fulfilled, hence them being quoted. John is Elijah as Jesus stated, and Joel 2 was fulfilled at Jesus Death and Penecost
 

llleopard

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Wow, all llleopard did was ask for advice and you guys attacked her for being a woman and attacked her for having fun with her own husband...
My husband is going to ask our unsociable bloke what's up the next time he is rude to either of us. We shall see what happens! In the meantime we are on holiday on a South Pacific island without a phone for the next two weeks so hopefully this thread will die a natural death! :) wish I'd never asked!
 

free2018

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I scanned the whole thread.
Besides potential objections already addressed, what came up in the spirit for me is something not mentioned:
This guy who does not like you is really the least of your worries. I say this because he is being honest. There are probably others
who are less honest who gossip when you're not around. That's human nature. My obvious enemies I have found are easy to spot. Sometimes they end up not being my enemies in the long run. I have also found that my friends have often been my real enemies.
This guy to me is a distraction. I distract myself with these kinds of people-- only to ignore people who really want to do me harm.
 
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