The CBE Scroll

Comment by sally

June 24, 2006 @ 12:59 am

Isn’t cosmetic enhancement just the super-extreme end of the beauty industry? We Christians don’t talk much about any of it - weight loss, fashion or how we physically present ourselves - from the pulpit.

But listen to women’s conversations and you’ll hear it all the time. I’m a wife of a theology student. So much of my current conversation with other wives revolves around the fact that I recently lost 10kg and now look a bit different. It’s not me who brings it up - it’s everyone else. We constantly talk about food, not dieting and how much exercise we don’t do. Cosmetic enhancement isn’t on our radar particularly, but the less extreme versions of how we look are.

Not that I think there’s anything wrong with talking about weight and health and beauty either for that matter. It is part of life after all. We spend enough time talking about toilet training our toddlers - why not exercise as well?

If anything, I think conservative Christians (in Australia at least) are way down the other end of the spectrum. We seem to hold the unconscious belief that any thought about how we look is ungodly.

Anyway, what would Christians say about cosmetic enhancement? It’s better to honour God by enjoying what he made and not trying to change it? We shouldn’t do it unless there’s a good reason? But what is a good reason? A hooked nose? Crooked teeth? (We all get braces don’t we?) Lots of lines get drawn and crossed in this area.

Why do we avoid talking about the physical aspect of life? We’re good at spiritual and even emotional these days, but we don’t do physical at all. Yet I think the three are intimately connected. And to have this split between spiritual and physical and emotional, where basically our bodies become almost unimportant in our Christian lives, is wholistically unhealthy.

Now this has got me thinking!

Comment by TeriLynn

June 24, 2006 @ 11:39 am

Anything can be over done. All things in moderation.

At one time in the seventies I knew a Christian group that didn’t let the women wear make up, cut their hair, or wear stylish clothing. They were only allowed to comb their hair not brush it. And their clothes had to be long dresses and not fitted.

On the other end of the spectrum would be the Hollywood/Beverly Hills Stepford wives, who might greet their husbands at the door wrapped in plastic. But at all other times be cleaned, preened, and prissed up before hubby comes home; food on the table, children washed and hushed.

So, I don’t know. If it’s broken, fix it. If it’s not broken or wounded, leave it alone. :) Stay healthy, be presentable, and feel good. Anything too far outside of that could be going overboard.

Comment by Ron Smith

June 24, 2006 @ 12:43 pm

Sally your conclusion is somewhere close to what I am thinking. My concern is that we may become 21st century Neo-platonists or worse yet 21st century gnostics.

Comment by Psalmist in Texas

June 24, 2006 @ 4:30 pm

I *think* I agree with each of you so far. Balance has to be there. Too much focus on the body and how it looks leads one to either the preoccupation with fashion and keeping up with advertising icons, or its flip side, which is enforced austerity that draws undue attention by going far beyond what common modesty would require. Too little focus on the body can lead to not caring sufficiently for the body (in terms of cleanliness or dressing presentably), or doing what one pleases to the exclusion of how it affects others (including too-revealing clothing that’s “comfortable”).

As for cosmetic surgery, I think it is generally unnecessary. But then, so is most of what passes for “necessary” in the affluent West. Our homes, our wardrobes, our cars, our entertainment…it can boggle the mind. Just look at what constitutes “decent, affordable housing” in various countries (a la Habitat for Humanity), and we see how a basic US house would be palatial in so many other places.

I think that the “need” for cosmetic surgery goes beyond western idolatry of beauty to western idolatry of youth. I’m speaking as an American woman now. We have completely lost the idea that gray hair is a dignity that comes with later maturity. Instead, it’s something that must be covered up. We see each wrinkle as a tragedy that must be filled in, plumped up, or otherwise concealed. We spend mind-boggling amounts of money to lift up sagging breasts, tuck in well-fed tummies, and pamper and paint feet that we’re almost deforming by forcing them into ill-fitting but fashionable shoes. Our legs and arms (and hands and feet and eyebrows) must be waxed, our fingernails must be the perfect shape and shade, and God forbid that we be caught wearing last year’s clothes. Even our jewelry must be trendy. Really, it’s no wonder that so many women who can afford it, undergo cosmetic surgery.

What occurs to me is that this seeking after beauty and youth widens the gap between the rich and the poor, both in our own society and world-wide. I’m so tempted to side with the Preacher (Ecclesiastes) and declare everything “vanity.”

But as with so many other things, I don’t think that legislating against cosmetic surgery (and I mean a spiritual proscription) is the answer. I think the church can and ought to be fostering an attitude in our members that an in-shape, well-fed, well-tended body attired simply, modestly, and comfortably is attractive. That doesn’t mean giving up bathing suits, dressing in floor-length skirts, and never showing upper arms or knees. It does mean women helping women, and men helping men, and parents helping children, overcome our idolatry of young, movie-attractive people as the standard to which we must all aspire. It means accepting the human form as a beautiful part of God’s creation while not lusting after it.

And I have to wonder, when all is said and done, if the cost of purely cosmetic surgery is compatible with good stewardship of our financial blessings. As for myself, if I had that kind of disposable income, I’d far rather give it to Doctors Without Borders so that a child who needs reconstructive surgery somewhere else in the world can have his or her life changed, rather than having my jowls reduced. Honestly.

Comment by Lori

June 27, 2006 @ 6:35 am

I’m glad this blog entry was made, because I rarely hear this issue discussed in depth in Christian circles. Usually it boils down to a few rules. “Cosmetic surgery is wrong. Don’t give in to worldly thinking and become too vain. God looks at the inside, not the outside.”

I think it’s good, though, to discuss why even Christian women struggle with the world’s definition of beauty. I know I’m certainly not immune. I see skinny women and I think “Oh, man, if only I could lose 20 pounds overnight and look like them!”

I don’t think it’s entirely culture-driven. I mean, make-up has been around since ancient times, and the ideal of the skinny woman for about a hundred years, despite the changes in culture. I think it’s because for centuries women have had to attract men. I mean, in past ages, if you were a woman and you didn’t get married, you really didn’t have much hope. I believe that need and desire have become so deeply entrenched that women can’t shake it off, even thought they are capable of surviving on their own now.

Comment by PSoftly

June 29, 2006 @ 8:29 am

My mom’s words come back to me, “Be satisfied with the way God made you.” But…I do cover the grey.

There are many issues with this that can be tied to spirituality.

Use of money and time are two big ones. But…here I sit at my expensive computer, reading blogs.

I also think of something I read in a Christian Women’s magazine regarding women who were perfectionistic housekeepers. The author speculated that they never felt “good enough.” And if you don’t feel “good enough” can you really be open to God’s grace as it is poured out for those who truly realize that they aren’t good enough on their own. Will you accept the work of grace in your life if you think you have to earn it?

Ponder how this might apply to people who seek cosmetic surgery or do excess exercise because they are “not good enough” by worldly standards.

BTW, I saw on TV that one of the S. American countries (can’t remember which) has a huge percentage of people having cosmetic surgery, way more than in the US.

Comment by Kathryn Vance

July 1, 2006 @ 10:17 pm

I too am concerned with the explosion of cosmetic surgery in our world. It is more of an obsession to look “perfect” in too many cases. Certainly there are times when cosmetic surgery is necessary, even beneficial, but when we are more concerned with how we look than who we are, we have gone overboard. We need to be developing inner beauty and focusing more on our intelligence, character, and above all, fellowship with the Lord (having the “mind of Christ”, Isa. 26:3, 2 Timothy 1:7, etc.). Of course, we need to look attractive and dress modestly; it is not my intent to paint with too broad a brush, but we must have our priorities straight. After all, if women are going to stand up and preach, we need to have something to say that will touch people and change lives.

Comment by Sammy

July 11, 2006 @ 7:48 am

I have a slightly deformed spine, especially at the back of the neck. At 56 I have acquired lots of droopy skin under my chin and neck - I feel very self-conscious about it. If I could have it removed it would lift and tighten an ageing face beyond its years. I have asked the Lord to supernaturally tighten it, as I know He understands how affected I am by it. Of course He hasn’t and now I am thinking if I had His blessing, I would raise the cash and find a Christian cosmetic surgeon.

I love the Lord and am committed to serving Him - have you any thoughts or suggestions as to how I resolve this in my mind/heart?

Comment by TeriLynn

July 12, 2006 @ 11:22 am

re Post #8

Don’t fuss over it. There are Christian cosmetic surgeons. If you find a good one and can find the cash, I say go for it. :) After all we cut our hair when it get’s wild or too long and unruly. We pluck our eyebrows and the strange grey hairs that migrate to the chin as we get older. Most of us shave our legs and under our arms. We can do a lot of socially presentable activities and personal vanity items in moderation.

Comment by Kathryn

July 13, 2006 @ 9:26 pm

Comment #8: If you love the Lord, put Him first, and your heart is honest before Him, go for it. My only concern is to keep things in their proper perspective. Moderation is the key word here. Another word for it is balance.

Comment by Xara

March 25, 2007 @ 11:44 am

While I understand where everyone is coming from, I have to give a different perspective.

Whether we want to admit this or not, we are in crisis times in the church. God is perfect, as is His love (His love is everlasting). However, people are far from perfect, even those in the church. People are vulnerable to plastic surgery and all kinds of “altering” because those are the times we live in. Altering occurs on many levels. Women born brunettes dye their hair blonde. Women with curly/kinky hair relax it straight. Men dye their grays. People get their ears pierced. No one was born with these things, but they altered themselves.

I think the issue is not whether someone gets augmented or altered, but why. A person’s heart is equally important in God’s eyes as their actions.

And as I said before, the church is in a crisis, particularly when it comes to its singles. Yes, the church wants to stuff everyone with the idea that if you are single, it’s God’s gift to you. And for some, this is the truth. However, to believe that God intended for all these single people to be single is not a truth. And singleness affects women more than men, particularly as they age. Many women may (mistakenly or otherwise) believe that they must remain beautiful to “catch” a man, even a Christian man. Because many Christian men are looking at the same things as worldly men (looks then personality).

I’m not using this as an excuse to alter every little thing you don’t like about yourself, but it does give food for thought. I’ve never had any “work” done, but I do sympathize with those that have.

Comment by Leo

April 12, 2007 @ 10:25 pm

Okay,, well,,

Cosmetic Surgery is one of those things which is quite hard to discern,,, I spose if they had cosmetic surgery clinics back in Jesus’ times and Jesus commented on it then it would make it a lot easier so,, how do we discern it?

Keep it biblical…

Do all to the glory of God… We must at all times do evertything to the glory of God,,, otherwise we become fakes… Always trust,, always obey.. you cant live a good christian life outside these rules (Noones perfect though) Whatsoever is not of faith is sin…… Doing things of faith is when you do things wholeheartedly toward God,, You’ll know when you’re working of faith because youll have a peace,, a stillness within you which strengthens your actions,, this is when you feel like God is empowering you.. And he is….. Youll notice that when God is working,, there is no guile or thinking twice about what you are doing,, you see to produce fruit of the spirit all you need to do is holdfast to God the true vine,, like he says,, seek ye first the kingdom of God and everything will be added unto you…..

But you see.. the thing is. God wants us to look the best we can,, but not be preoccupied with ourselves. As christians we should think of ourselves the way God thinks of us.. its about changing our opinion of ourselves to what he thinks of us,, not about what we think of ourselves….. So.. If you’re gonna get cosmetic surgery.. Make sure it is of faith.. Make sure you believe that God is behind you every step of the way…. Just know that God did not create the perfect image you are trying to equate your body too.. That’s what the media did…… As we all know satan is the prince of the airwaves…. So I think the main thing here is just that you should remember to draw near to God,, then he’ll tell you what to do.. It’s actually up to you whether you get plastic surgery or not.. And the subject of beauty i’s something which can cause conusion within the kingdom of God…… So just remember that whatever you do ,, do it to the glory of God.

I actually want to get Rosaceaea surgery on my face,, I’m 18 years old and Ive just finished having really bad acne and I dont like being reminded of my overeating which gave me this acne and therefore scars… these red veins are not cool.. But I juss know I gotta remember,, do all to the glory of God…..
But I know that God wants the best for me… So Im just praying for an answer……..

P.S God will clothe you!

Comment by Doctor B

June 13, 2007 @ 6:36 pm

Interesting site. I appreciate a lot of sincere thoughts expressed here…

I am a devoted Christian physician who recently graduated medical school and I am now training to be a plastic surgeon. For years- in fact, even during the beginning of medical school- I was of the opinion that all of Plastic Surgery was not of God. I NEVER even considered entering the field. But things changed when I learned more about the field and I realized I had artistic ability with my hands.

There are a few things that most people don’t know about plastic surgery and should be familiar with.

First, Plastic Surgery has two major components, cosmetic and reconstructive. The former we are all familiar with. The later however, involves in a broad sense restoring damaged or altered aspects of the body (via genetics, trauma, disease, etc) that are usually not the result of normal aging. This includes things like cleft lip and palate repair, removal of excess skin after massive weight loss, pinning back of prominent ears, skin grafts, facial fractures and lacerations, scar revisions, coverage of massive tissue loss (eg., mastectomy, trauma), hand surgery (a big field most forget about), etc. etc.

Purely changing aspects of the body to alter the course of aging or to make a body part that is “normal” look better is what I call Cosmetic Surgery.

The big problem with Plastic Surgery is what people are defining as “normal”. Of course Hollywood and the World think anything less than perfect is not “normal”. I can tell you that the patients I have seen in consultation and in the operating room are some of the most psychologically complex patients in all of medicine (and quite often unstable). Some have become so convinced and brainwashed that a certain aspect of their body is not “normal” that their identity and self-worth are all balanced on the potential of a scalpel. That is sin. And we know that from Scripture because our value comes from Him and we are all beautiful in His eyes.

Leo (39493) who commented just before me expressed it well when he talked about doing it for the right reasons and with the right motives.

In short, if the bags over your eyes block your peripheral vision, or you want breast reconstruction after mastectomy, or like Leo you have a damaged nose from childhood acne I WOULD likely do your surgery (remembering even the Christian Plastic Surgeon has to be in prayer about what he/she does or does not do). If you want an augmentation or a tummy tuck to fit into a bikini this summer, or your want your crows feet removed from the corner of your eyes because they make you look your age, I WOULD NOT likely do your surgery. You are a beautiful expression of the blessed years God has given you!

Of course my simple little scenario above is not meant to condemn anyone who undergoes Cosmetic Surgery of their choosing. God knows your heart and your motives. ALWAYS REMEMBER– He loves you the same before and after the scalpel ever touches your skin.

God Bless you all!
Doctor B

Comment by Greg

June 23, 2008 @ 6:23 am

I wonder why Christians do not come to the aid of fellow christains that have cosmetic facial and/or body damage from assaults by the occult members. They do enjoy decorating and marking christians faces, which means defacing them. It does not matter to what degree one has damage to the face if it is caused by the occult members, it should be fixed as much as possible not to give the enemy of God the final victory. Yet no one renders aid, even Christians. Is money their god that they do no help others who need psych relief from assault.

Once we have messed up faces people seem to shun us and of course the organizations that have secrets add to the attacking regularly.

Any advice.

Comment by Lindy

November 16, 2008 @ 6:43 pm

I spent tons of money on plastic surgery after my husband left me for my teenage stepdaughter. She never admits it, but he was so addicted to her looks, and personality that he got sick of me. I was so wounded, and still tried to forget it, and ask God to help resolve this horrid situation. I went to the elders at the church board to complain, but because of his prominence in the community, nobody cared to accept my judgement Well, to make a long story short, I am still miserable with all this plastic surgery, because all the men I know just complain endlessly. Either they want more, not happy, need other stimulating good looking gals, or they are super pious, and like the wives who do not wear make up, just look unkempt all the time It is funny that I am reading this site, and somehow am lost in it. I am sometimes afraid that my spirit is lost, and God has forgotten all the attempts I’ve made to try to win over the male of the species. They just keep hamering away, and somehow I just get stuck. It used to be okay just to be good, kind, pretty, nice and a christian wife, but somehow men are getting downright stupid. Nothing more ever seems to click, and I am like somebody lost in the hope that God can get me on with my sorrow over my divorce, and help me to get going on with my life as his daughter in Christ and maybe He will answer my prayer for a decent mate.

Comment by faith

November 16, 2008 @ 9:12 pm

Lindy, I hear a lot of pain in your story. Do you have someone to talk with about your pain? I do not believe that God has left you or forgotton you. People can indeed be very shallow and uncaring. But God is not that way. He sees that pain and your unjust experiences.

Give yourself time to heal, discover your own voice and own sense of who you are. Discover your gifts Then you will not be abused again. Therapists help a lot, divorce recovery groups. Spiritual directors can help. Seek them out.

I hear your saddness… people care, God cares.

Comment by jlp

November 17, 2008 @ 8:44 pm

Lindy,

Maybe what you need right now is not a mate (maybe sometime later) but good friends who will hold your hand during the difficult times.