The Theology of Porn

[gonzo]

Last month's post on Naomi Wolf's essay "The Porn Myth" provokes many useful lines of practical and theological reflection. Wolf's basic argument is that, contrary to feminist expectations, easy access to pornography has not been liberating for women, but makes men (especially) more selfish and therefore less able to enjoy real relationships, including sexual ones. Wolf even goes so far as to commend a biblical approach to sexuality.

One of Wolf's comments is especially arresting: "For most of human history, erotic images have been reflections of, or celebrations of, or substitutes for, real naked women. For the first time in human history, the images' power and allure have supplanted that of real naked women. Today, real naked women are just bad porn."

This comment grieved me, because as a pastor I know that it is true, and that women (and men) in the church are suffering as a result. The body of a man's wife ought to be a source of mystery and delight to him (see Song of Songs). But when he drinks water out of stolen cisterns, to use the biblical imagery, her beauty is degraded. Then rather than fueling their romantic passion with mutually satisfying pleasure, their sexual relationship becomes something to use and throw away.

So here is another reason for men to avoid any and all contact with any and all pornography: If you use pornography, it will degrade the sexual cement of your marriage and dishonor a woman who deserves better than to be treated like bad pornography.

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