Recently, preachers seem to have become much more comfortable with preaching against pornography. I have mixed feelings about this. It is clear that pornography is a sinful matter and sin is to be denounced, so that makes this seem like a good thing. On the other hand, I hate having to hear even the word "pornography" anywhere, much less in my church service. I see how people react to the word, especially women, who seem very put off by this new emphasis.
I also have another concern about this.
Put simply, my concern is about the tendency we all have to preach against things that we do not do while ignoring what we do all too often. Baptists (my church) have a sad history of preaching against sins they would never commit. They preach against abortion, for example, or against drunkenness, while speaking to small congregations in which there are no abortionists and almost certainly no drunks. But, a good line against abortion is always worth some applause or "amens" from a conservative Baptist congregation.
I think this is a problem because, for all the sermons where I hear someone attack pornography, I never hear a word about conversation. Yet, I am sure that most churchgoers commit many more sins in conversation than in pornography.
We are, after all, to love our neighbors. That means that, in every conversation, our role is to love the person to whom we are speaking. Yet, I see so many conversations in which both parties are merely doing what they want to do, declaring what they want to say, and saying things of no value to their partner. Likewise, we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice, but most Christian conversations are not really about the person to whom we are speaking, but are about us. "We have to share" what is important to us and we take very little time to hear what matters to our partner in the conversation.
I have seen very little pornography in churches, but have seen lots of people hurt by cruel words. I have seen no one actually look at pornography while at church, but have seen many people hurt and attack one another in conversations and meetings. I have never seen a preacher read pornography in a pulpit, but have seen many preachers fill their sermons with snide remarks, insults, and harsh language for anyone who opposes their ideas.
I think it is a good thing that we recognize the sin of pornography for what it is. I just wish we would recognize our own sins as well.
And preach about them.
I also have another concern about this.
Put simply, my concern is about the tendency we all have to preach against things that we do not do while ignoring what we do all too often. Baptists (my church) have a sad history of preaching against sins they would never commit. They preach against abortion, for example, or against drunkenness, while speaking to small congregations in which there are no abortionists and almost certainly no drunks. But, a good line against abortion is always worth some applause or "amens" from a conservative Baptist congregation.
I think this is a problem because, for all the sermons where I hear someone attack pornography, I never hear a word about conversation. Yet, I am sure that most churchgoers commit many more sins in conversation than in pornography.
We are, after all, to love our neighbors. That means that, in every conversation, our role is to love the person to whom we are speaking. Yet, I see so many conversations in which both parties are merely doing what they want to do, declaring what they want to say, and saying things of no value to their partner. Likewise, we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice, but most Christian conversations are not really about the person to whom we are speaking, but are about us. "We have to share" what is important to us and we take very little time to hear what matters to our partner in the conversation.
I have seen very little pornography in churches, but have seen lots of people hurt by cruel words. I have seen no one actually look at pornography while at church, but have seen many people hurt and attack one another in conversations and meetings. I have never seen a preacher read pornography in a pulpit, but have seen many preachers fill their sermons with snide remarks, insults, and harsh language for anyone who opposes their ideas.
I think it is a good thing that we recognize the sin of pornography for what it is. I just wish we would recognize our own sins as well.
And preach about them.