The Church Must Respond to Fifty Shades of Grey

Effective, Friday, Feb. 13th an infiltration of a sinful novel hit the big screen as the opening day of Fifty Shades of Grey occured. The impact of this movie and its aftermath may soon impact marriages, friendships, communities, and businesses. Some teens will be tempted to sneak in theaters to watch it and then strive to live it out. Some men will take advantage of a readers & movie goers newfound sexual confidence. Some women will believe a loving sexual relationship involves bondage, dominance, inflicting and receiving pain in intimacy. Whether married or single, we are sexual beings and we either recognize and nurture our sexuality or deny that we have desires. Many Christians respond to their sexuality with a mixture of denial, judgment, fear and guilt. But God has other plans for our sexuality. He doesn't see sexual intimacy as a flashing pop-up ad or a person in a racy wardrobe dancing with a pole. Solomon writes unashamed instructions for his son to notice his wife’s body and soul. Proverbs 5:18-19 says, “Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.” The church must affirm God designed sex to be enjoyed to the maximum but only within the bonds of holy matrimony – one man plus one woman in a legal and covenantal relationship with God and each other for life. In any other realm sexual intimacy is SIN! According to The Atlantic, their review of the film states it is pornographic in the extreme. The film will show on the big screen at least 20 full minutes of sex. Ana and Christian engage in a sexual relationship that becomes increasingly abusive. Fifty Shades of Grey IS NOT a movie Evangelical Christians should watch and we should be active in encouraging others not to watch it.