Here is that article in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, A Setback for Anti-Porn Pastors.
Very interesting article. Here are some excerpts:
The publisher said that while it applauded the outreach to those who make a living off pornography, “the wording is misleading and inappropriate for a New Testament,” according to a letter the pastors received from Barbara Bernstengel, the executive in charge of standards at the nonprofit Bible publishing company.
and
Gross said their slogan isn’t misleading; Jesus does love porn stars and the message doesn’t insinuate that he loves pornography.
“But that’s why we’re putting the Bible in [the porn stars’] hands — Jesus is not OK with it,” said Gross, a former youth pastor who works on the XXXchurch.com website from his Lake Elsinore garage. “The publisher is hindering the Gospel going forth.”
and then this….
The XXXchurch.com pastors say the rejection of the cover is typical of the clash between old-school Christianity –with its rigid structure and traditions –and an emerging brand practiced mostly by younger Christians who focus on relationships, spiritual experiences and converting nonbelievers through bold, sometimes edgy marketing.
“This whole religious rule book just needs to be burned, and we need to reinvent the rules,” Gross said. “Otherwise, Christianity is going to fade away.”
I originally didn’t post any thoughts on this issue, because I was really on the fence to be honest. I really, really respect the ministry of XXX Church and I also really respect the amazing work of The American Bible Society. XXX Church does ministry that most of us could not, and do not want to do. So I certainly don’t want to speak on what exactly are the appropriate and inappropriate methods in the spreading of the “good news” in the porn world. When one goes into a mission field, whether it be in India, or the Middle East, or in pornography, each has their own missiological methods and some are more unorthodox than others. But I also don’t want to see the American Bible Society get “crucified” over this issue as well.
I think Craig Gross is off base when he says that the American Bible society is “hindering the gospel going forth.” The American Bible Society distributed 4,113,106 Bibles and 8,322,112 copies of the New Testament in 2000-2001. That’s hardly hindering the gospel.
I just really wonder if an agreement could have been reached so that both sides could have benefited. And not only both sides, but those who would have received those Bibles.
“Jesus Loves Porn Stars” is definitely very catchy and gets to the heart of who they minister to. But when it comes to passing out Bibles, why even single out one segment of society. Why not have the slogan “Jesus Loves and Redeems Sinners.” Or “Jesus Loves You”, though that probably wouldn’t be “edgy” enough for many. What about “Bible” or is that too antiquated for some? When missionaries in foreign countries pass out Bibles to those they minister to, whether it be drug dealers, murderers, Christian persecuters, they don’t tailor make their Bibles, yet the message still seems to be relevant. There is not a big run on local or foreign missionaries or ministries asking the ABS to print up “Jesus Loves Drug Dealers” or “Jesus Loves Fornicators.” Yet, the Bible still seems to transform lives. I mean, we are all sinners, and we all need redemption…right. Why even categorize?
I do agree with Gross that there is this divide between what Gross labels “old-school Christianity” and a more “emerging brand.” And their marketing strategies are going to be very different. I sort of have a foot in each of those places. I was raised in a church and understand the more old-school brand, but I also minister to college students in Los Angeles, and I get the more emerging brand as well. Sometimes I revert to the one that I feel would more clearly get the message across. So maybe XXX Church is correct in their approach, but I don’t think that makes ABS bad, or an organization hindering the gospel. And maybe ABS is correct as well in their understanding of the situation. I mean they have been around for over a 100 years, so I have to respect their opinion as well as this is hardly the first tough issue they have dealt with.
I just don’t think this issue is black or white or that there is a good or bad scenario in this issue. Each have their reasons, and I get both.
I do think that XXX Church is doing a great ministry. But I do think that their slogan, “Jesus Loves Porn Stars” is grasped by some, and is totally lost on others. I definitely wouldn’t have known what “Jesus Loves Porn Stars” was about unless I knew about the ministry. Maybe XXX Church is hoping that people would ask about the shirts, which would lead people to the ministry and then to Christ. Or maybe the shirts are simply just an attempt to be “edgy” and to separate themselves from “old-school Christianity.” To me, the shirts don’t really separate themselves from any t-shirt that one wears from Urban Outfitters or Abercrombie and Fitch when they are trying to be “edgy.”
As for this statement: “This whole religious rule book just needs to be burned, and we need to reinvent the rules,” Gross said. “Otherwise, Christianity is going to fade away.” Well…..I am trying to look behind this statement and get to the heart of what he really means, not what he says. Regardless, I doubt Christianity is going to fade away because the ABS won’t print “Jesus Loves Porn Stars” on Bibles.
This is a tough issue. I get that. In the end, I am thankful for the hard work of both of these ministries. And like many good ministries, sometimes methods can be where people and organizations part company, which is unfortunate, but pretty common. We should continue to pray for the tough, gritty work of XXX Church, especially when I know not many would be willing to do the work they do. And we should continue to pray for the great work of the American Bible Society who continues to provide Bibles to millions of people all over the world.
One of the better comments I received was from
Wayne Bowerman. You can read his thoughts below.
Rhett,
I followed your link to the xxx blog then their website and then did some other research. I think I’ve spent too long on this now but I wanted to comment carefully.
I guess I my sympathies lie with the ABS on this one. I may not agree with how they said it (“it goes against everything the Bible stands for”– if that is indeed what they said?) but I think I agree essentially with what they are saying.
Yes, Jesus does love porn stars, child molesters and ax murderers. However I don’t believe that those make the best t-shirt slogans or Bible cover anthems.
I think there are a number of issues at risk but I think that there are two that deserve the most consideration. First, things go too easily awry when we rip them out of context. I don’t think “Jesus Loves porn-stars” is a complete idea. Jesus loves you and me and every porn-star and yet he weeps over the sins in our lives like he did Jerusalem and wants something so much better for us. I don’t think that kind of message can be conveyed on a t-shirt or even a special Bible cover. We need the dirt and spit and flesh and blood of a flourishing Christian community to penetrate and hold the lives of those without belief.
Secondly, I believe if nothing else, the whole bit about not eating meat if it causes your brother to stumble is applicable here. I mean I’ve seen their t-shirts, those things out on the streets. There is no way every passerby who reads it is going to get the full story from that, even if it’s worn with the best intentions it can very easily convey the wrong message ie that Jesus condones the lifestyle of porn-stars. Total embrace and acceptance with no fear of confrontation is the idea of love for many.
I think there are a couple of other key reasons it’s a bad idea, but I fear I have already made myself to sound like the bad guy or the raging conservative. But please let me know what you think.
Shalom,
Wayne
Read XXX Church and see what they are all about.
Read about the work of the American Bible Society.
