28 June 2006

The Heap Theory

The XXXChurch passing out "The Message" Bible paraphrases at the Erotica Expo in California certainly has stirred up a hornets nest, and IMO some necessary discussion. Is there a right way to do evangelism? Is there a wrong way? Does the end justify the means? If something is slightly skewed but "works" do you think we should continue to use it?

I've watched the tapes about the move by XXXChurch to bring the gospel to the members of the Porn industry. It is quite interesting and it brings up some uncomfortable concepts. I listened to Al Mohler's commentary. I see that he had some points worth considering. I also believe that Pastor Gross from XXXChurch also did.

Here are a few of my thoughts.

1. XXXChurch is a ministry whose time has come. My ex husband ruined our marriage with pornography. I've looked at it from a standpoint that I wish no woman had to. I can't imagine the damage that BEING a porn actress (or actor) does to the soul. There was no effective method of helping us back then, I'm glad to see something out there now. This ministry is not at all about justifying pornography addiction, it's about helping people who are living with the sin deal with it honestly and biblically. This isn't an example of some liberal nutjobs running out into the arms of sinners and telling them that what they are doing is just peachy.

2. I agree with the point made by Mohler (and of course pastor Gross from XXXChurch agreed) when he said that the church is "risk averse." Nobody really wants to deal with certain types of sinners. I remember hearing a show on Focus on the Family where an ex homosexual and his friends were brought before a congregation when they had decided to "overcome" their orientation. The pastor asked the congregation what they intended to do with these four people. I can imagine how uncomfortable that was for the people in the pews. We know what we are supposed to do in that case, but how many actually WANTED to do what is right? It's so much easier to invent a program for distribution of canned goods and choose the material for the next VBS season than it is to go out into the streets with the truth.

3. Pastor Gross pointed out "[Jesus] doesn't look at them as porn stars and porn producers. He looks at us all the same." He is correct. My own sins are no better. We like to think that because we aren't employed in an industry where sin is mandatory (porn, the mob, prostitution, drug smuggling) that Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf was *just a little less painful for Him.* As a thorough-going believer in the reformed doctrines of grace I *know* that this attitude is wrong, but periodically it does sneak in. I was, before I was regenerated, just as sinful as these people are...and I haven't been glorified yet so I have no right to lob stones almost 30 yrs later.

4. Mohler said that it would be next to impossible for men to be in that environment and not sin. I'm not a guy, but I do understand that porn has a particular appeal to men and that being in the presence of alot of women who look a certain way and material which has certain content could present a serious temptation for some men, maybe even a good majority of them. Gross countered that this was prayed over and there were people fasting and whatnot. I see the points from both. Obviously I'd be against someone who still found pornography to be a temptation going to that venue at that time. This does not mean that NO man (or woman) could be in that place and not sin. There could be a few, and that arguement alone should not preclude said men from ministering in that place.

5. Mohler also had a problem with the Bible that was presented. It isn't an actual Bible, it's "The Message" which is a paraphrase and it had a cover which said "Jesus loves porn stars." One company did not want to print these, because the cover message could be "misconstrued." Er, yeah. In fact, the cover is probably what drew all the publicity in the first place. I think the ministry which had them printed was playing off the title a bit, hoping that they will cause a stir. I have mixed feelings about this, honestly. I would rather have them pass out actual Bibles, rather than a paraphrase. However, it would be the supreme disrespect to Holy Scripture to stick a cover on it that COULD be misconstrued...or...which was meant to be a marketing ploy. It isn't to do it to a paraphrase, which MIGHT be one of the reasons a paraphrase was used. I see the point.

The main problem between the two men,and between believers everywhere is not whether xxxchurch should be wittnessing to porn stars, but the methods by which this wittnessing is done. People who like the fact that they are doing it at all are prone to say "if you aren't doing it, shut up and pray for them." I'm not sure that is the correct attitude. We can have all the good intentions in the world and be disobedient to God. We also can, in the name of trying to appear holy and righteous to some percieved audience let chances to do good go by. This is a very important issue.

It is also a little confusing. The idea of getting real, putting on a pair of jeans and going out to get dirty for God is compelling. Remaining pure and doing things God's way is also. There is a line over which you cross in the effort to do the first that you violate the second. Mohler and Gross are both God-fearing, Bible believing, Christ honouring men who have different ideas as to where that line actually is and both are using scriptural principles to make their points.

Pastor Gross says that Jesus would be "mixing it up with these people." He pointed out that Jesus regularly ate with sinners and prostitutes. Yes he did. He was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard and other things during His time on earth. Al Mohler says that there is a difference between wittnessing to sinners and "taking out a booth" in the context of their sin. yes there is.

I've seen this before. One theology list I was on a while ago called it the "heap" theory. We see a heap of dirt and know it's a heap. You take a spoon away from it and it's still a heap. How many spoons do you take away before it's no longer a heap and has become a mere pile of dirt? We know what a heap is. We know what a pile is. and if we take more away we know what a lump is. But where is the line between them all?

This type of thing happens in other church controversies as well. Take the concept of Modest Dress. We're commanded as women to be dressed modestly. Well, we know that long skirts and long sleeves are modest, and we know that nudity or an all lace dress with no undergarments is not. Somewhere in the middle is a line. That line leaves a bikini on which side?

Would I believe it's ok to wittness at an Erotica conference? Well...

I agree with Mohler that I'm not sure a booth INSIDE the conference is a good idea. Perhaps oUTSIDE, though and very close. The lobby maybe? I wouldn't want to be across town, that's for sure and I'd want to be away from the angry "Christians" who are busily reminding these people that they are going to hell.

See Jesus did eat with Prostitutes, but he didn't go into brothels (that we know of anyway). Paul did engage in dialogue and debate on Mars Hill, but he did not go inside the temples of Diana. I believe, for example, that I should wittness to drug users, and drug dealers. But I don't believe it's right to go to a pot party to do it, or to hang out in a methlab. I believe that mobsters need Christ, but I'm not going to one of those meetings where they all decide who is going to do what in what territory. I don't think its a matter of temptation (though I personally don't know any men who could do this without sin), not all men have that temptation. It's a matter of degree of accomodation to sin. Jesus does love porn stars as much as He loves anyone else. But He does not and never will love their pornography.

I have to say that though I don't agree wholeheartedly with the method, I do admire the fact that the XXXchurch is actually attempting to reach people in that business. As I said, it is a ministry whose time has come. And I'm not going to condemn their intent, just their location. It's not a matter of content, but logistics. Of course Christ can use our bumbling efforts, even if they are not perfect. And no, because He can do so is not an excuse to do things recklessly. I pray that if there is another conference that they print more of those paraphrases and go to the conference and stand OUTSIDE the doors or in a lobby and reach as many as possible.

I don't believe the end justifies the means or that one should use flawed methods intentionally just because they "work." Scripture is full of people being burned for doing the right thing at the wrong time or the wrong thing for the right reason. Remember the dude who reached out the prevent God's holy Ark of the Covenant from touching the ground and died? What about Saul who was so happy with one of his victories he wanted to hurry up and start the party, so he made the sacrifice instead of waiting for the prophet/priest to do it? Being unconventional does not necessarily make you wrong (look at David dancing till his clothes fell off, Jesus hanging out with sinners and drinking wine) but at the same time there are lessons all over scripture about people who had their heart in the right place but did not do it God's way.

It honestly hurts me to disagree with them being inside the venue, really. Cause I know how much better off the world would be if all those porn stars and porn producers were regenerated and they found something better to do with their lives. I really did wish the end justified the means, so I could stand with them wholeheartedly...rather than doing so with some reservations.

Thus scratched Lady Raven at 7:10 PM 2 Other Squawking(s)

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