This post is for my sisters and brothers in Christ. I’m going to quote Matt Walsh here because it expresses my point perfectly
“It would be difficult to explain all of this to someone who is not a Christian. Not impossible, but difficult. At the very least, it would require another 10,000 words or so to first convince them to accept the basic premise of Christian morality… But for Christians, we know that we do not make choices in a void.”
I have so desperately wanted to forgo blogging about measles, 50 Shades of Grey, or the president’s breakfast speech, but I guess something eventually was going to give, so the winner is….
50 Shades of Grey!
Don’t worry though, I am not going to beat a dead horse here. I'll leave all the beatings for the movie, but if you want to read some great posts about why it’s destructive then I can lead you to
Why does this come as such a shock to us?
To be clear, I understand this movie takes things a step further. It’s not just Christians that are upset about this one. Fifty Shades of Grey doesn’t just push the envelope. It shreds the envelope into a million little pieces and then burns it to ensure there will never be an envelope again. So it doesn’t bother me that people are rising up against this kind of garbage. I signed a petition myself. And if anyone is all for respecting women and anti-abuse it's ME. The thing that concerns me about all of this hubbub is that it is too little, too late.
Because sex sells and even as Christians we have been buying it in BULK!
We have fueled this flame for a long time and now that it’s a forest fire, we’re like “Oh no. How could this be?”
I look at media these days and I can only imagine, according to what God says in His Word that it grieves him. Most of it is evil and full of a destructive sinful nature, yet so many of us as Christians EAT. IT. UP. I am not judging you. I can understand why sometimes the good outweighs the bad and you just have to live "in and not of" the world.
I do get that, but it breaks my heart that it takes a film like 50 Shades of Grey, full of pornographic erotica mixed with violence and abuse to draw the line! Really!? We couldn’t have drawn the line 10 years ago with, I don't know, The Wedding Crashers?
By the way, I didn’t see The Wedding Crashers, but I heard about it from some of my Christian friends that did spend money on the film and I also read the review on Plugged in online. If you read that synopsis you will know why all this rape, nudity, lack of respect for virginity, and all out perversion has been a staple in our entertainment for a long time. Obviously that is just one example of thousands. And for those that think if you haven't read the book or watched the movies then you really can't say anything, that's like saying you have to eat poison first as a way to decide whether or not it is toxic.
I look at it like this. Let’s say I had a teenage son that started smoking and I turned a blind eye. Then I didn’t want to be too preachy when he first tried Marijuana so I did nothing. To make matters worse I spent money to support his new LSD addiction. I never really condoned the actual drug abuse, I just didn't do anything about it because overall he is a good kid, there is just that one part that's bad and I close my eyes when it comes up. Then one day I was absolutely shocked because I learned that he was addicted to Heroin. I shouted at him “How could this happen!? This can kill you. It has to stop!" and went on a mission to bring awareness to the dangers of Heroin.
50 shades of Grey is like Heroin. It might be worse than some of the other things we've seen, but drugs are drugs and sin is sin. I'm glad I have seen so many Christians publicly outraged by this movie, but what if we win? What if 50 Shades tanks at the box office? Then we go back to watching Game of Thrones and The Bachelor? Do we just continue to be entertained by countless other forms of lust, infidelity, and the attack on sexuality and family that is rampant in Hollywood? I am stopping myself from giving a painful amount of examples, because it's really not about a list of movies. I know that.
Which is why I am not saying we should campaign against every single movie that hits the big screen. This industry has no reference point for morality and I don't expect them to accommodate Biblical truths. I DO expect christians to. I guess. I mean, not to step on any toes.
I’ll admit I am extra conservative in that area, but even then, I am sure I have read books or watched a show that some people could find offensive. This is not about condemnation.
I just think we really need to step back and use this whole 50 Shades explosion to evaluate where we are as followers of Christ and ask “am I feeding this destructive culture?" The only way you can answer that question is to ask God and look in His Word (note the verse below). And while I am on my soap box, can we please stop calling anyone with conviction “religious” or “legalistic”.
Maybe it’s not too late to put out this fire. I just hope we can own up to the fact that maybe we had some involvement in it to begin with.
Psalm 101:2-4 NLT
I will be careful to live a blameless life- when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
This post is linked up with Grace and Truth, check out other inspirational christian living posts HERE.
13 comments:
Well written, excellent and important post. I agree its way overdue that we take control back over what we, as Christians are watching, reading and listening to. I have bit read this book, or seen the movie - not will I ever. I just know that when you start calling these types of films "mainstream" and "romantic" we have some major problems. Thank you for being strong enough to start this conversation.
Job made a covenant with his eyes. We would all be wise to follow his example. Good post. xo
Thank you ladies, if only you knew how many disclaimers I feel like I have to share with this post. For example obviously it's not the same as the drugs thing, and I hope my readers understand the concept of an analogy. Also, I love how many positive things are coming out of this "fight" like the donations to women's shelters, or all the people writing 50 things that they love about their husband or God. Also, I am a sinner and Jesus loves me and cleanses me, so I hope I don't sound self righteous :(. It's hard to take a stand against the status quo
Thank you for sharing the words about this movie - words that many of us Christians (and perhaps some non-Christians?!) have not attempted to write. So much garbage...
That's all I'll say; but I haven't read the book OR seen the movie...NOR WILL I!
Thanks!
I totally agree. I'm so sad that this movie is doing so well at the box office...its message is so twisted and wrong on so many levels. Thanks for spreading the word...I'm glad you gave in and blogged about it!
Oh I know that Too Little, Too Late feeling - but with God it's never too late, right? I love this post because in the midst of it - I hear your heart for freedom and for Him! I have been amazed (if not a bit dismayed) in seeing how many - Christians and non - who were so excited to see this film. I can only assume this means that they read the book and so knew what they would be watching. It's heart breaking... but it's not too late! Praying for all who saw it to encounter TRUE love. His name is Jesus!
Thank you for this thoughtful post. You are letting your light shine in a dark place (our culture). I, too, am disturbed to see Christians say they read the book and saw the movie. I don't think they understand the impact of putting these ideas and images in their minds.
Blessings,
Gail Golden
It is heart-breaking to see how many people are OK with this book, movie, and the like. It isn't shocking, though, because our culture has been accepting of this sort of thing for a long time. I guess it hasn't been so "mainstream" before, though. It is this acceptance and over-sexualization in our culture that perpetuates the somewhat hidden problem of sex trafficking and exploitation in our country, and our country is making A LOT of money off of it. It's so sad! And there are so many women, children, and men who are enslaved (literally and figuratively). Anyways, I'm rambling and could/should write a whole blog post about this! I probably will at some point. We're starting a partnership with our friends at Jesus Said Love in Waco this year, so I'm sure I'll post more about it when I'm armed with more facts and such!
Amen! I agree completely. We need to stop buying. Even as Christians, it's hard to give up the 'sorta bad' stuff, though. We can all pray that God reveal our 'sorta bad' habits to us and help us overcome them one at a time. That's how they put out forest fires--one hot spot at a time and lots of people working at the same time for the same purpose!
Thank you for tackling such a difficult subject, Natalie! Your words needed to be said and heart. I completely agree with your stance. Protecting our hearts from what culture pushes at us is so very important if we are to remain salt and light to this broken world (because out of our heart springs life -Proverbs 4:23). Be blessed, Tina
Wow, this is a great angle at looking at this. I agree we have been slowly sliding to this point as a society/culture for a while. Even the disturbing crime shows are going over the top from just psychological criminal study to disturbing images. I've been noticing that for a while now. I like the detective end of the stories and the character development, but even NYPD Blue crossed many lines two decades ago. Your post was gracious but an compelling call to examine how we cross the line in big and small ways every day in terms of what we expose ourselves to. Thank you.
Great example of a son doing drugs then getting upset when he's addicted. Our world is so off base and it shouldn't surprise us. Yet when they cross another line, we are surprised. It's our daily actions and choices as Christ followers that will shine light in this dark world. And when they don't notice, let's just love and share Christ's love no matter what.
Spot-on, friend! When it comes to sin, many Christians dabble and dabble and dabble, excuse, justify, and see how close we can get without getting burned. Thank you for your courageous stand here. It's a position of truth, and you've managed to share it with grace. How appropriate that you linked it up at Grace & Truth! ;) I'm glad you did.
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