Evidence for God from Science

One of the phrases used to describe the fallen and sinful people of Israel just prior to the collapse of their nation is found in Jeremiah 8:12: “These people have no shame. They have forgotten how to blush.” In other words, these people not only engage in immoral and indecent behaviors, they are no longer even embarrassed or ashamed of these behaviors.

I thought about these words from Jeremiah when I read an article on the popularity of a new book entitled “Fifty Shades of Grey” which is described as an “Erotic Novel” by E.L. James. This book is actually the first in a trilogy of books, focusing on the sexual affair of a wealthy businessman named Christian Grey and an innocent young college student named Anastasia Steele. What makes this particular book series so raunchy and inappropriate is the detailed sexual descriptions (which I admittedly have not read, but these have been frequently mentioned as part of the book’s appeal). Plus, the type of sexual relationship that develops between Christian and Anastasia is one of “BDSM” (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism and Masochism).

This book has taken American pop-culture by storm. Sometimes referred to as “mommy porn,” because it is primarily being purchased and read by women in their late 20’s through their 40’s, this trilogy of books has sold more than 20 million copies, selling faster than the Harry Potter books ever did. This book is especially popular in E-book form, where people can download and read the smutty details at coffee shops and on subways without others knowing what they are reading. But it’s not just reading that is going on. Hardware stores are reporting a shortage of cotton rope (the type of rope used by Christian to tie up Anastasia as part of their sexual relationship). Hotels are offering “Fifty Shades of Grey” specials, where couples can check into a hotel room and live out their BDSM fantasies. There are strong sales of “50 Shades of Grey” tee shirts, featuring a large image of handcuffs on the front. Now Hollywood is excited about plans for a movie adaptation, and there is wild speculation about which Hollywood “hunk” and “hottie” should play the lead characters in the movie.

I am not a prude, I have no major hang-ups about human sexuality, and I am not the morality police. But I feel compelled to say this: Those of us who claim to be Christians should be thoroughly disgusted with all of this, and we should not be reading the books, buying related merchandise, or making plans to go and see the movie when it comes out. There comes a time when the products of an entertainment-driven culture become so vile and base that there is just no room for compromise. This is that time, and “50 Shades of Grey “ is the straw that has broken the camel’s back. Have we forgotten how to blush? Is there now nothing that is deemed just plain inappropriate?

My young adult daughter recently mentioned to me that she was thinking about reading the books. She is in a young woman’s book club and she was curious about why this book was so popular. I had a serious talk with her about it, and encouraged her not to read it. But she raised a couple of issues I want to address in this enote.

First, she said, “Dad, how can you condemn a book you have not read yourself?” This is the old argument of “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” which may be true about pizza with pineapple on it, but isn’t true about stuff that is obviously sinful and harmful. I do not need to try snorting cocaine in order to know it is unhealthy and addictive. I do not need to get drunk and drive in order to know it is dangerous and deadly. And I do not need to read “mommy porn” to know it promotes thoughts, images, and behaviors that demean women and create an unhealthy and unholy view of human sexuality.

Secondly, my daughter argued, “Dad, even though there are some parts of the books that may be inappropriate, I’ve heard that by the end of the three books, the main characters have learned a lot and grown to be better people. The books contain a good message.” This is the old, “the good message justifies the explicit sex” argument that has been used to justify all kinds of books, music, movies, and television shows over the past several years. It seems as though we can’t have a book or movie with a good message these days unless we wade through lots of sexual scenes and foul language in order to get there. What I told my daughter was this: “If you want a book with a good message, find one that doesn’t use a bunch of porn to get the message out.” There are plenty of good books for a book club. My wife is in a book club, and they just finished “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a classic. I recently finished reading “Fearless” by Eric Blehm, which tells the true story of Navy Seal Adam Brown. A fantastic read. With plenty of good books out there, why not focus on those that are worth our time and money. I mean, occasionally you may be able to find a good biscuit in a garbage can, but that is not the place to go looking. And “50 Shades of Grey” is not just a garbage can, it is a garbage dump.

I can understand why non-Christians will be attracted to this book. I can understand the so-called “enlightened” pop-culture psychologists who are tripping all over themselves to get on television talk shows and declare that the books help re-invigorate the boring sex lives of middle aged American women. These folks have allowed the foolishness of this world to blind them to basic truth and basic decency. They have forgotten how to blush. But I certainly hope that Christians will be wiser and better than that. If you are reading this book, please stop. If you are not reading this book, please don’t start. And if you’re tempted to explore this book, please pray to God and ask Him if this would honor Him in any way. Open up your Bible and read Philippians 4:8. Use this verse as the criteria for what you will read, watch, and think about.

To her credit, my daughter decided not to read any of the “50 Shades of Grey” books. If I can convince anybody else to reach the same conclusion, I will consider it a job well done.

--Pastor Mark

Rob wrote: "This book is so great BECAUSE I don't even like reading!".