rhettsmith.com

I just read about this story the other day. It is weird. I mean seriously. I don't even know what to say. We would like to give out bibles to porn stars and tell them that Jesus loves them so that maybe they will come closer to Him, is that OK? NO, you can't give our bibles out to porn stars, that is not what our bibles are for. Sheesh

Wow. I wish I had a printing press so I could print the Bibles for them. I think xxxchurch.com is an awesome ministry, and I wholeheartedly believe God is behind it. Jesus would have gone to the porn conventions to change people's hearts. We are his hands and feet, we should do the same.

I followed your link and have spent too much time reading all of the posts attached to it. But it is fascinating. The ABS v. xxxchurch thing seems more nuanced than it at first appears. But that is nothing compared to the ministry those guys are doing. There is some real dialogue on that site with people seeking to know, people seeking to discredit and people seeking to share about Jesus Christ and the freedom he brings. I am glad Jesus is sending laborers into the harvest.

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

hmmm. rhett, did you delete my comment?

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

URL:
Remember me? YesNo

Comments: