Jesus loves porn stars! So heralds the cover of the controversial Bible (The Message version) being distributed by the guys over at Triple X Church. Triple X is an anti-porn website run by Mike Foster and Craig Gross, who also run the ministry Starving Jesus, and together authored the book, “Questions You Can’t Ask Your Mama About Sex”.
The flashy picture above is the actual cover of the Bible Foster and Gross are distributing. Distributing at Porn conventions, that is. The ministry of XXXChurch is to attend porn conventions which are frequented by the top names in pornography like Jenna Jameson and Ron Jeremy (who often participates in public debates with XXXChurch on porn). Does Jesus love porn stars? Here’s my controversial answer– No, He does not.
Modernly, “porn star” is simply a euphemism of a lifestyle, not a human being. It’s used, as best I can tell, exactly like “pimp” or “rock star” or “redneck” , words which no longer refer to an individual, but a particular lifestyle. Go to your local superstore, and you’ll find t-shirts (in the teen section by the way) with those titles screen printed on the front. I remember a girl with whom I went to high school wearing a t-shirt which simply said, “I’m a Porn Star,” in the same coloring and typeface as the Bible cover above. Who’s not seen the Rockstar brand energy drink, or heard a rap song about being a pimp or a country song about being a redneck? These titles don’t refer to people as individuals, but lifestyles. Contrariwise, I could say that Jesus loves homosexuals, because this currently still refers to individuals, not the lifestyle. Does Jesus love Ron Jeremy and Jenna Jameson? Absolutely! He also loves every single other individual involved in the pornography industry. However, He does not love porn stars, nor does He loves pimps, rock stars, or rednecks, as those words are used in modern vernacular to convey not the individual man, but his lifestyle; lifestyles often characterized by their committment to ignorance, promiscuity, drug use, and immorality on many fronts. Does Jesus love that? Of course not.
The message that Jesus loves porn stars, to modern individuals, does not convey the intended meaning, therefore, that Jesus loves the individual man, but that Jesus seems to have a special place in His heart for the porn star lifestyle. This is clearly seen in the ABC news video (below) where a female pornography actress says the Jesus Loves Porn Stars t-shirt is “awesome”. Finally, porn stars are justified, Jesus loves it, and if He does, what’s the problem?
Aside from the obscure message that Jesus loves porn stars, the XXXChurch website sells items which again are intended to deliver the message of Christ to individuals struggling with sex addiction. To encourage men to abstain from lust, cards are handed out that remind them (forgive me for typing this) “Don’t Spank that Monkey”, and the XXXChurch website sells Jesus pencil toppers, and Jesus bobble heads, called Jesus nodders.
Jesus loves you. Let’s remind modern men that they are just that- you, men, women, people, individual humans in God’s image. Jesus doesn’t love porn stars, but He loves every single human, despite their man made titles.
March 31, 2008 at 8:02 pm
It’s not exactly “scripture,” but we’re often told to love the sinner but hate the sin. Where’s the right place to land on this? I’m with Al Mohler; he admires what they’re doing, just isn’t sure about how they’re doing it. I’m not going to be at the porn convention in Las Vegas handing out Bibles, so maybe it’s a good thing these guys are. Getting the Bible into the hands of people that would otherwise not pick one up has to be a good thing; I just can’t shake that idea. Does it justify the porn star lifestyle to say Jesus loves it? Jesus loved adulterers, lepers, tax collectors and even a Pharisee or two in his day. That didn’t justify what they did.
March 31, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Great post Aaron.
I agree with Clark concerning the fact that these guys seem to be ministering to a virtually untouched audience. However, I have a few problems with how these guys go about their ministry. For starters, I believe that they are deliberately using controversial methods in order to garner attention from the people they are trying to reach. While there’s nothing wrong with being creative in grabbing the attention of others, I think that extreme nature of some of these methods (”Jesus Porn Stars” in vintage ’70s kitsch) do more harm than good and actually covolute the message that they are trying to communicate.
But my biggest concern is the blatant irreverence shown by the products and methods these guys use. While Jesus was (and is) a friend to sinners, we should never cheapen the Lord of Glory with vulgar and casual treatment (like Jesus action figures and bobble head dolls). I think that our Savior and the King of Creation deserves a bit more respect than that.
Yet I’m quite sure that, as these guys mature in their ministry, their methods will mature as well (at least I hope so!).
March 31, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Clark,
Thanks for commenting. I agree that getting Bibles into the hands of those who don’t own them is a great idea. I think maybe they could stand outside the door when they distribut them. Also, you’re absolutely right that Jesus loved adulterers etc., but these are individual people. In 2008, “Porn Star” is not a person, it’s a lifestyle. Saying in 2008 that Jesus loves Porn Stars is equivalent to saying Jesus loves pornography.
March 31, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I love it. I think it’s bold love and I’m glad to see their are some strong believers on the front lines. I will be keeping them in my prayers.
April 1, 2008 at 12:47 am
I watched “Every Young Man’s Battle” with Steve Arterburn and Fred Stoeker. The tripple-x guys were interviewed in the DVD as well. They were very frank with the topic and the DVD is well worth the viewing. (It has Dobson’s exclusive interview with Ted Bundy, worth the viewing alone.)
I have seen some of their(xxx) other “drawing cards” and tactics, which are beyond the pale.
I agree that the people in the industry they are trying to reach are probably some of the least evangelized in America (and some are right out of the Bible belt as well). I have to agree with Josh though, gimacks only cheapen the gospel. Why poison the message before it can administered? Christ is sufficient. He does not need to be marketed… just proclaimed.
April 1, 2008 at 10:39 am
Don’t get me wrong, I abhor the church’s resistance to get their hands into culture and society. I am not opposed to distributing Scripture at a porn convention (but not The Message), I may even be inclined to go inside. I have a huge problem, however, with the tawdry message and methods. Their Bible version is watery, their cover art and slogan is misleading, and their “Monkey” cards and Jesus pencil toppers are just plain impious. I love to irritate and offend legalists and stuffy religious people, but to purposely seek out offensive and shocking methods with more regard and concern than seeking to clearly communicate truth is sinful.