And so it arrives. It’s already proclaimed a blockbuster and judging from the predictions of those who seem to know about these things, it will most likely bring in about $90 million over its first three days, an opening which will rival the record-setting opening of American Sniper. That’s not at all surprising since the books have sold over 100 million copies and there will be much-anticipated sequels to this first film in the series.
Now. . . the big question. . . Are you going? Seriously. Are you going? Or, are you planning on viewing the film sometime in the future, perhaps in the comfort of your own home?
These are necessary questions for us to answer as parents, youth workers, and most importantly, followers of Jesus Christ.
If our hearts are truly in line with the way and will of our Creator and our desire is to flourish in our humanity by honoring His borders and boundaries for His great and glorious gift of our sexuality, well. . . the answer should be clear.
Sadly, based on what I’m hearing, the answer’s not so clear. Just as I heard with the books, a large number of Christian women, young and old alike, mothers and grandmothers, singles and marrieds, are eagerly anticipating and can’t wait for their trip to the movies this weekend. Many are giddy with excitement. And, we can expect that some Christian men will be there as well. . . some brought by their wives. . . both of them expecting the film to spice it up for them a little over the Valentine’s Day weekend.
The reality is that there’s not one of us who doesn’t have to deal with our own sexual brokenness and the temptations that come with that. There’s not one of us who hasn’t stepped out of the will of God and into sexual sin in thought, word, and deed. But to knowingly invite, entertain, and indulge sexual temptation while making a clear decision to step into sexual sin. . . well. . . that’s where we need to be stepping up and calling each other out with a good dose of Biblical accountability.
God’s design for His grand and glorious gift of sex is this. . . that sex is a gift to be indulged by one man and one woman within the context of an exclusive, monogamous, covenantal, life-long marriage. That’s it, plain and simple. Sex is something God made, gave to us, and enthusiastically declared “Good!” But with everything else, we go and mess it up. And when the Bible commands us to “flee from sexual immorality,” the word that it uses is porneia, which means “to practice prostitution, sexual immorality, or fornication.” In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently used the word in reference to any kind of sinful and illegitimate sexual activity. Porneia is, in fact, the very thing from which followers of Jesus are commanded to “flee!” (I Corinthians 6:18). (To learn more about Sexual Integrity, check out CPYU’s new Sexual Integrity Initiative).
And so tomorrow, millions of folks will pay to settle down in dark theaters to be entertained by, get lost in, and be provoked to enter their own little world of sexual fantasizing by watching a young man with a penchant for BDSM systematically and intentionally stalk, seduce, and deflower a young virgin. This is not a film where non-gratuitous depictions of sexuality are truthful in nature, adding to the story. In this case, sexual fantasies and BDSM are the story and they are the draw. In other words, millions will pay to sit in a dark theater and indulge in pornography. . . a practice that is not only sinful, but highly destructive and addictive.
Yes, pornography! And if you are considering indulging in Fifty Shades of Grey, please take a minute to consider these definitions of pornography that I’ve found to be particularly helpful. . .
- From Tim Chester in his book Closing the Window: Steps to Living Porn Free: “Pornography is anything we use for sexual titillation, gratification or escape – whether it was intended for that purpose or not.”
- From my friends at HarvestUSA: “Pornography is anything that the heart uses to find sexual expression outside of God’s intended design for relational intimacy. It is anything that tempts or corrupts the human heart into desiring sexual pleasure in sinful ways.”
- From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.”
Still undecided? Consider the fact that Fifty Shades of Grey has indeed been fairly labeled as “mommy porn.” Then let me ask you to consider these questions as you ponder your decision. . .
- Is “It’s just a movie!” a reasonable justification for sin? Couldn’t we also be saying, “Come on, it’s just a magazine, or a DVD, or an on-demand movie, or an adult-bookstore, or a free website!”
- Have you considered the fact that when you view pornography you are complicit in sexual trafficking? Yes, whether the individuals depicted are actors or real people, or if they are appearing willingly or by coercion, your presence, attention, and payment all combine to make you a willing consumer and market expander of the ever-growing and always exploitative pornography industry.
- If you are a young mother, an older mother, or grandmother, how would you feel if it was your precious children on that screen in that darkened theater. . . again, willingly or coerced? Would you want your son to, in real life, become a Christian Grey? Or, would you want your daughter, in real life, to be pursued and seduced like Anastasia Steele?
- What kind of model does God call us to present to your watching and growing children? Are they learning about the joy of healthy, biblical sexuality? Or if they watch you will they be learning something else?
- Do you really believe that in a day and age when sexual assault and violence are pervasive, that we should actually be choosing to celebrate depictions of such on the big screen?
- Do you really believe in a day and age where women are objectified and stripped of their dignity by men who see them as nothing but objects to be used, that it is a positive thing to carve out time and eagerly indulge in viewing a film which does the same?
- Do you realize that pornography doesn’t spice up and improve the marriage bed or marriage, but rather, it drains the life out of and destroys a marriage?
- And finally, are you willing to take something that God has given you that is amazingly good, and twist it in a way that does not bring glory to God, but instead brings glory to the kingdom of the world, the flesh, and the devil? Or simply stated, are you willing to willingly go your way rather than God’s? Remember, that’s what got us human beings in trouble in the first place.
I’m not so sure that the biggest problem here is the book or the film Fifty Shades of Grey. This kind of stuff has always existed. And in a broken world, sadly, it will continue to exist. Our greater concern should be the widespread appeal, the ready acceptance, and even the willingness to engage in secretly reading the books or sneaking off to the film. . . an indication that we know that there’s something that’s just not right about what we’re doing. We’re now talking about mainstream stuff. This isn’t some dark corner or fringe. And as one who studies youth culture I wonder. . . . what will middle school-aged kids do with this one it’s on DVD and Netflix? Or, what will this stuff do to middle school-aged kids. The most pressing issue is the heart that’s drawn to and shaped by this stuff.
Perhaps today is a great day. . . THE day. . . to leverage all the attention our culture is giving this film and sit down to talk with our kids. . . openly, frankly, seriously, and honestly. . . about the very real pull, power, and dangers related to pornography use. . . to talk about what it will do to us and what God is calling us to do with it. (Click here for a resource you can use to get the discussion started)
The great Reformer Martin Luther once famously said, “You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair.” That’s a clear and powerful picture of the difference between the temptations we face and the sins we choose. I pray that this weekend, none of us will have allowed pornography to nest on or in our heads.
Because of my own brokenness, I’ve learned to constantly remind myself that every time I make a choice, I’m choosing sides.
Which side will it be this weekend? The Gospel offers so much more!
To learn about helpful resources on pornography and sexual integrity from CPYU, click here.
Here’s a link to CPYU’s brand new Sexual Integrity Initiative website.
To read a helpful article, “Sexual Sanity for Women in a World Gone Mad,” click here.
Thanks for this clear and compelling article! My wife and I have been discussing this movie for a few weeks now and the gospel response. This post adds some additionally clarity to the conversation and presents a compelling argument leading to truth. Thanks for all your are doing for the church through CPYU!
Check out the http://www.themattmaherstory.com website on the “volume up” tab on 50 shades of grey, as well as his blog on 50 shades. Powerful! A must see and a must read!
amen! Thanks for saying what needs to be said and heard!
Thanks for a great article Walt!! I am saddened by the popularity of this book and movie!! I don’t understand why folks don’t see it for the abuse and exploitation that it is. As a mom and grandmother, I can’t help but wonder what it will do to our kids!! I am praying that it won’t do as well as they are predicting.
Such excellent points Walt!
Erotic literature has no place in a Christian’s life. The example set by parents reading the books or watching the movies will influence their teens and younger children. Young people will adopt the values of their parents. If parents endorse pornography, their kids will get the message, “its not that bad.”
Thank you for calling it what it is.
The thought of this movie turns my stomach! It causes me great concern for my grand children. It it pornograghy at its worst! Not Hod pleasing at all!
I’m sorry , Not God pleasing’
Amen! Thank you for sharing all this important information. Would it be possible to email it to me do i can print it for someone who does not go on the computer . Pls let me know..God Bless you….
Walt,
Thanks so much for your very clear and biblical exhortations and encouragements in all of your blogs. I appreciate your being in the fight for the hearts and minds of our children and future grandchildren. I praise God for the vital ministry of CPYU, and your leadership.
This is a great article. However, it is just the kind of thing that non-Christians will have a field day with. Film and literature of this kind has always been around. Think about it, the most innocent of novels can have some form of sexual gratification. The Hunger Games books are a great examples of this. As for Fifty Shades of Grey, I have not read the books nor plan on seeing the movie. If for some reason I end up reading the books or seeing the film, I will read them and/or watch it with Christian eyes, understanding that what is being shown is not real and not the way God intended sex to be. If people want to go see it, let them, as long as they do not expect it to spice up their personal sex lives
.
If people do decide to see it, they should try to look at its aesthetic value and ask questions like: What is the purpose for making this into a film?; What is different from the novel?; What are they trying to tell us?; Is it well made?. Simple questions when watching films often give the best answers.
As I said earlier, stuff like this as been around for a long time. Think of all the great paintings that include nudity. Think of Vladimir Nabokov’s ‘Lolita’ and Stanley Kubrick’s interpretation of it. Why do paintings, novels, and films like that have so much praise? It is simple, they have aesthetic value.
Yes this stuff is bad and it goes against what God has told us what is “Good,” however, we are still called to live in the world and not be of the world. If those who go to see Fifty Shades just because of its content, then they are living of the world. But if they go see it and understand what is wrong with everything in it, they can enjoy it on an entirely different level. As bad and as sexual the story is, we have to remember things like this can happen in real life.
According to Ephesians 5:3, God’s Word says, “Bit among you there must not be even a HINT of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed because these are improper for God’s holy people.” Of course these type things have been around forever because sin has been in the world since the garden of Eden. That does not make it right. Sin begins in the mind and eye and once we expose ourselves to sin it’s very difficult to erase that picture. Best not to expose ourselves to it at all. We fool ourselves if we think we’re so “holy” that we can view something like this film & not let it affect us. We also have a responsibility not to cause others to stumble & to me, going to see this film could easily do that. God’s Word teaches us over & over to “avoid” subjecting ourselves to sinful acts/behavior. We are to “be holy, as He is holy”. How can we be holy (set apart) if we participate in these worldly activities. Just my thoughts on your comment.
Hi Jan,
Yes sin has been around since the garden. And I know it does not make it right. However, I was not saying watching it with Christian eyes is to do so with the “I am Holier than thou” mind set. No one is holier than anyone else. I was simply saying it is another way to watch something with controversial content. Everything we see causes both affect and effect. Whether or not something we see affects us, we have to make sure that it does not effect the way we live. There are so many films that have grotesque content. For the ones that win awards or are highly regarded by critics, the content is required to be there usually for affect; to make it’s viewers understand what a character is going through. Unfortunately, the content of Fifty Shades of Grey not only is required for affect, it drives the story (just going off of what people have been saying about the novels and film).
Going to watch the movie is not the sinful act. Rather, going to it, enjoying it, and using it to change how to go about your sexual lifestyle, is the sinful act. The way we can be holy is by participating in these conversations. Letting our views be heard, but also be understanding of others.
As for your comment on how we have constantly been reminded to flee from sinful activities, we cannot avoid everything in the world. If we were able to do so and if we did, I think many Christians would play the ignorance card on all social injustices so that they could live in their own comfortable bubble.
Aaron, If you’re looking for something artistic, this is not it. The writing is on a jr. high level. Here’s a sample:
“My inner goddess is swaying and writhing to some primal carnal rhythm.”
“My very small inner goddess sways in a gentle victorious samba.”
“My inner goddess is doing the Dance of Seven Veils.”
“My inner goddess is doing the merengue with some salsa moves.”
“My inner goddess has stopped dancing and is staring, too, mouth open and drooling slightly.”
“My inner goddess jumps up and down, with cheerleading pom-poms, shouting ‘Yes’ at me.”
“My inner goddess is doing backflips in a routine worthy of a Russian Olympic gymnast.”
“My inner goddess pole-vaults over the fifteen-foot bar.”
“My inner goddess fist-pumps the air above her chaise longue.” E.L. James
“If Jane Austen (another bestselling female British author) came back to life and read this book, she would kill herself.” Dave Barry
I am sorry, but if you think that Fifty Shades of Grey was made for its aesthetic value, I think you are being naive. It is a stretch beyond imagination to think that any of the intentions behind the making of this movie could be construed as godly. It was made to make a lot of money. I would hate to see people deceive themselves into thinking that they are going to see it to assess its aesthetic value.
I think I should make it clear that when I was talking about aesthetic value that I was not talking about Fifty Shades. I realize it came across that way, but I was not saying that it has any value, that I know of. I had said that if people do decide to go see the film, or even read the book, the should do so in a way that pay attention to the technical aspects of the film or book.
Walt,
Thanks for your article, I first learned of “Shades” through your “Costco” article when it first came out a few years ago. I’m in ministry and fully agree with your assessment with the film. I know you’ve also posted quite a bit about violence in movies, video games, teen dating etc. While the Christian opposition towards “Shades” could be stronger, it seems we have an equally big problem in the church with our blind acceptance on violence. There are far fewer outcries to our addictions to violence than pornography. Have you written about/studied this? Can you point me towards an article of yours if it exists. Thanks for your thoughtful insights into Parenting and Youth Culture.
Blessings.
Amen! Such a good article. Brings to light all the issues that so many do not see.
What are you aiming for as you write this article? Brainwash people into your cult-like ideologies? Put innocent Jesus followers and non-religious people on a free guilt-trip? Or just broadcast your manifesto, advertise and preach the Word of God until everyone is sick of it? This is absolutely absurd!
I am a lifelong Christian, but how dare you belittle Christians who shamelessly go and watch an accurately-rated film in the cinema! I am not ashamed to say I will be one of them. This is a free World with free choice! You are on some sort of Bible power trip, it seems, and this sort of prejudice is trouble-making, brainwashing and certainly not behaviour God would approve of.
May I remind you the year is 2015! Not 1955! Yes ‘this kind of stuff’ might be considered to include ‘pornographic’ material but it is the story that people are ACTUALLY INTERESTED in – so I am sure the ‘husband and wife wanting to spice it up on Valentine’s Day’ you talk about will just rent an X-rated film from the local XXX shop! I’m sure it is much cheaper!
I know this might be difficult for you to digest, but TIMES ARE CHANGING. Just as the prospect of having a black president would be frowned upon 50 years ago, sexual acts being depicted in cinema (that doesn’t make it pornography by-the-way) is a development way under way, this a good turning point for society, as we are possibly starting to accept newer things, revolutionary ideas, developing culture and society, unlike your 1950s narrow-minded views!
By 2035 I hope to see a lot more same-sex marriages, hover cars and RuPaul as President.
GET…OVER…IT.
Hey Russell…Way to drive the point home with the “times are changing” comment. Haven’t heard that one before. Probably still use that one with your parents when they lecture you on breaking curfew. And what does lifeline Christian mean? 13 years? Enjoy the movie, bud!
Sorry Clark, I’m a 23 year old young man with a new look on life.
If we are turning to cheap tacky insults to prove a point then two can play that game – I suspect you are a 50-something with a mortgage nearly paid off, a Ford Mondeo and two bright children in university.
Why don’t you wake up tomorrow morning and do something different: Run a red light, replace your wife’s hair dye with hair removal cream, spit from a tower, I don’t care. God you guys are so magnolia it’s unreal.
Russell,
Is this the kind of world you want to live in???
http://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/the-reality-of-a-fifty-shades-relationship/
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Heb. 13:8
Not saying that – I want to live in a World where people are free to watch whatever they want without the Judgemental views and influence of other people (Ahem, most Christians *cough cough*).
CONGRATULATIONS, you are all fantastic A+++ sinners, in my eyes, the way you seek to judge others.
Russell, Here’s a few views from Non-Christians:
1. Jamie Dornan, who plays the male lead, Christian Grey, in the movie said,
“Mass appreciation doesn’t always equate to something good. Think of Hitler!” After visiting the sex dungeon and returning home to his wife and daughter, he admits, “I had a long shower before touching either of them.” “The first day [of filming] was kind of an out-of-body experience. I got there and they said, ‘Action!’ I’m like, ‘What the f–k is happening? I’m a dad. What?'” “There were times when Dakota was not wearing much, and I had to do stuff to her that I’d never choose to do to a woman.” He observed that while he has “played a couple of sick, sick dudes, serial killers,” still, “Christian (the romantic heartthrob that millions of women are fantasizing over) was a massive challenge.”
2. Dakota Johnson, who plays the female lead, Anastasia Steele, said,
“I don’t want my family to see it, because it’s inappropriate. Or my brother’s friends. Also there’s part of me that’s like, I don’t want anyone to see this movie. Just kidding.” “Sometimes I did walk off the set feeling a bit shell-shocked,”
“there were some painful moments.” “I got whiplash once from him throwing me on the bed; so f–king painful.” “My hands and legs were tied, and I was blindfolded, and I was being hit with this bizarre tool. … It was emotionally taxing. At first I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is the worst thing ever.”
3. Dave Barry, Syndicated Humor Columnist for the Miami Herald:
“So what kind of book is Fifty Shades of Grey? I would describe it, literary genre–wise, as ‘a porno book.'”
“Christian starts stalking her and pressuring her to engage in—and I do not mean this to sound in any way judgmental—sicko pervert sex.”
“He wants to tie her up with ropes, handcuffs, shackles, tape, etc. He wants to blindfold and gag her. He wants to spank her, whip her, flog her, cane her, paddle her, put nipple and genital clamps on her, bite her and use hot wax on her. We know this because he asks her to sign a contract agreeing to let him do these things to her. What do you think Anastasia does when she sees this contract? Do you think she gets herself a restraining order and an industrial-sized drum of pepper spray, which would be the response of a normal sane woman or reasonably intelligent cocker spaniel? Not our Anastasia! No! She decides to go right ahead and get into a sexual relationship with Christian even though she thinks he is a moody weirdo pervert.”
Debbie, I am not even going to waste my time to read through that. You are a bigoted brainwashing cultish group of Christians. Accept that.
Russell. . . for having an open-mind your mind is not very open. Please take the time to dialogue intelligently with us. We want to have a conversation here.
I think 50 Shades is disgusting for different reasons than you all, it doesn’t portray a healthy BDSM relationship. This is simply abuse, anyone in the BDSM community can tell you that. A healthy BDSM relationship can be wonderful and isn’t some sick perverted thing that is about abusing your partner. I am mad this book got so much attention because of that, people are going to try BDSM based on what they saw in this book which is very unsafe. Also, remember it’s not just women that are being dominated, sometimes it’s men being dominated by women or if it’s a same sex couple you get the jist.
This whole debate is kind of a waste of time though, to be completely honest. The movie is for adults and if they want to see the piece of garbage, who cares. There are more important things happening in the world and if this is what people are worried about then we are headed for disastor. Also, if you are worried about your teens being exposed to sex and such from the commercials, trust me they hear all about it in school, and probably watch porn. It’s nothing new, and if it is, you need to have a talk with your kids. Also if this makes them think about BDSM I doubt they will look to this book for what to do, they will google it and probably find better advice. Just saying.
Thank you for addressing this subject and appealing especially to parents. We are on a VERY slippery slope!
Another timely article Walt.
In addition to the temptations that the books/film arouse, it is important to see the connection between pornography and sex trafficking.
Thanks for staying on top of these things and writing with helpful insight.
I copied the article and emailed it to our congregation (with appropriate credit of course!)
I am a well educated, practicing catholic with a successful career and family. I am by no means perfect, but I try to be a good person, and teach my kids to be a good person and work hard. What scares me is the amount of assumptions and exaggerations in this article. I think articles like this are what has sent people away from embrassing their faith and ultimately the decline in participation in the church.
Why can’t we just represent this film/novel for what it is and let people make their own educated choice without being persecuted. The actors in the film are PROUD of the work they have down. And worked really hard for it as well. Years of theater and acting class paying off with a “big break”. On the novel perspective, this writer has written a phenomenal and captivating fictional story, showcasing their talent.
Does it mean that the writer is a deviant person who does all these things? Does it mean the actors are immoral people screwing everyone they can? No. This article casts so much judgement about others it disgusts me. How can you call yourself better than those actors, writers, or the people that choose to see the film? Isn’t that what we’re not supposed to do. Judge with no knowledge.
I for one will see this movie with my wife because we both find it entertaining. It doesn’t mean we are terrible pagans who will go out and cheat on each other. It just means we can respect art, and be entertained by it.
I know some will read this and say “well your not really catholic then if you think that way” but to that I say who are you to judge me. I am okay with my Lord. I go to mass weekly and practice my faith and teach my children all the good that God has done. I strive day in and day out to be a good person. I fail sometimes and I confess my sins. But articles like this have scared people away from the Lord because they cast so much judgement and just make it all about the preconceived notion of what is morally acceptable.
I ask the question, if you lived your whole live doing good deeds, giving to others, thinking of yourself last, praying, and being kind to all, but see 50 shades of grey, does that mean you aren’t allowed into heaven? A silly movie is what we’re talking about here. Let people enjoy it for what it is, entertainment, and then go back to their life without being told how wrong they are for it.
I agree. This isnt smut, its consentual sex between two adults. The two adults end up married, there is no orgys or third parties. I am Catholic and we are going to see it . I dont think it will displease God at all.
I agree, nearly choked when I realized that the condemnation of some fine artist talent was based on heresay! (5th paragraph) I have actually read the books – have the nay sayers – and found them somewhat on the boring side so I may not go to the movie.
In my opinion there are far more important things to get worked up over…..an example or two might be: homelessness, abuse in families, poverty, wars (many of which were in the name of Christianity ) and many others certainly come to mind before all this silliness over a book and a movie!
And just for the record,, yes, I believe in my higher power – God.
To the “practicing” Catholics who see nothing wrong with this material …did you miss the excerpt from The Catechism of the Catholic Church in the article? Please don’t call yourselves Catholic if you aren’t at least attempting to follow the teachings of Christ and His Church. Learn your faith; it is a gift and it is Truth. God Bless.
If you think the actors are “PROUD” of the work they have done, read this
https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/even-the-co-stars-think-50-shades-of-grey-is-awful-rubbish-and-maybe-even-a
Not judging…..just food for thought.
Religion: more ways to waste time on insignificant matters.
This article upsets me in so many different ways, I’m a Christian have been for 27 years! I am married with 3 children, & to address this book / movie! I don’t believe that god is going to frown on us for reading a book that involves “crazy” sex! To whom ever likes to spice it up in the bedroom, good for you! It is your right as a husband or wife to do what you want with your spouse to keep that flame alive! What happens behind closed doors stays there! & being a mother , shame on all of you for bring children into this! What adults do with there personal life doesn’t suggest they are bad parents! I am a wonderful mother with 3 amazing children & what I do or don’t do with my husband in the bedroom will never change that!!!
This stupid article annoys me so much too! It’s an 18+ movie, what has children got to do with this? Bigoted Idiots.
What in the world does this have to do with The Hunger Games?!?!
http://www.albertmohler.com/2015/02/13/fifty-shades-of-shame-the-evolution-of-pornography/
I don’t know about anyone else and not saying this in judgement. Since the Spirit of the Lord resides in me and I love Him I have no desire to put myself in places that would be degrading to His holiness.
Wow, you would “preach” that sexual sin/this movie ( I haven’t seen, not gonna see) is so terrible in any context, yet you are using the success of this film to increase your popularity both in physical life and online.
You will be be profiting from the release of this film in one way or another. Profiting BECAUSE this film is porn and popular. I didn’t see any articles released/created/worked on, by you about any release of a previous pornographic film. Were thy not main stream enough for you to “speak out” against? Were the women exploited in films before this one not worth fighting for as much as the woman/women in this film?
Brother, you made this article so that you might gain from the popularity of the film, not to condemn sexual sin. What? Before you reply, you might want to at least take the “fifty shades” tag off your article.
As a practicing Catholic, and hopefully a little devout, I want to thank you Walt for your fidelity to the Truth in season and out of season. Amen!
I’ve always been anti 50 shades for many reasons but what troubled me was that – no matter how difficult, no matter how out of our comfort zone it is – I somehow realised that the Christian response to it couldn’t be to just ignore it or simply dismiss it as porn.
I think Jesus would have gone head to head with it – as He had that knack of doing in all difficult situations – and engage with it on some level that glorified God’s love over the ‘love’ portrayed in the series. I had no idea how to do this though and I like that Christian blogs and writers have tried to do so. The problem was always that – non believers – had no interest in this standpoint and I didn’t have the skill to get over that wall.
I tweeted a lot about my opposition to it and someone sent me a link to a Christian fiction response that takes the original format of the book and then ‘mirrors’ it with a story about God’s love taking in concepts like ‘doulos’ and salvation along the way. I’ve given it to some friends – the same ones that had no interest in Christian blog posts – and they’ve really been engaged and informed by it and have gone on to engage in real talks about faith underpinned by it. One is (tentatively) attending church.
For me that underpins that the key in the debate is – not to preach to one another about it – but to use it as a chance to outreach. The link – should anyone be interested is
amzn.to/1Ac2x9c
Are you more concerned about the sex in the book or about the abusive relationship? Christian Grey stalks and emotionally and physically abuses Ana, yet their relationship is portrayed as some kind of romantic ideal. The fact that they have sex before being married is a far less of a problem than his dangerous behavior being presented as anything other than a dire warning.
I am STAGGERED by how much focus is being given to sex that does not conform to people’s ideas of what-God-intended and the near-total lack of focus on the emotional and physical abuse entrenched within the books.
For those who say “Get over it” or “There are worse problems in the world” or “You are profiting from this”, you need to read this: http://jennytrout.com/?p=8740
Amy K and Karen – thank you. I agree. This might interest you: http://www.workthegreymatter.com/2015/02/why-do-people-say-50-shades-is-or-isnt-abusive/