Clearly, Mark Savage’s film is an earnest attempt to bring Christianity to the nudist community and make the case for nudism—or naturism—in the Bible. Let me speak to the case for nudism first. As someone who has served on a church staff and holds a seminary degree, this film would not fly in any of the churches I’ve been to. Nudity is not their thing and has been frowned upon, and I doubt you’ll find any recommendation from them.
The film cites several scriptures that claim to support nudity. See the film for their viewpoint—it’s worth considering. I’ll say two things. In my opinion, the Bible doesn’t outright say that nudity is not a sin… nor does it say it is a sin. A lot of times, we want the Bible to support our views when, instead, the Bible says nothing about the subject. “Fearfully and wonderfully made” is about the value God places on His creation, not a license for nudity.
At the same time, what the film gets right is the idea from 1 Corinthians, where it says, “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial.” God doesn’t explicitly call nudism a sin, making it “lawful.” The issue is whether it’s beneficial. My understanding of the community is that it’s an expression, not a chance to get off on the ample supply of boobs and pee-pees. No judgment here—it’s just not my thing.
“The Bible doesn’t outright say that nudity is not a sin… nor does it say it is a sin.”
Nakedness aside, the second part of the film stresses friendship, loyalty, and salvation. It also features a husband and wife in bed naked, which is how God meant it to be! (Sorry, my keyboard slipped.) Ultimately, it’s a faith film.
As a movie, Naked as Created is a low-budget indie film. Clearly, there’s no backing here from Angel Studios to get the Gospel out. A simple camera setup, limited sound and lighting, and a cast, I assume, that is not made up of professional actors by trade. As they say, “The able aren’t willing, and the willing aren’t able.”
Whether you find it bold, bizarre, or both, Naked as Created: The Pastor Jim Story is unlike any other Christian film you’ll see this year. It’s part testimony, part theological debate, and part indie experiment that’s equal parts awkward and earnest. You may not leave ready to join a nudist congregation, but you’ll certainly leave thinking about what it truly means to be “naked and unashamed.” No one’s ashamed in this movie.
"…Well... now I’ve seen everything."
Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) states, “Let us make man in our image according to our likeness…”
Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:7 states, “… And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life and Man became a living being”
Yes Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s command and they ended up being under a curse as it says in Genesis.
But everything changes when Jesus arrives. For those who receive him all things are made new; we are truly a “new creation.” To say that the living nude human form should not be seen by others is itself sinful. We are truly “fearfully and wonderfully made.”