Pornography is no longer universally looked down on as bad or unhelpful, but is often seen as something to enjoy without guilt. Christians, however, work to a different agenda one set by the Bible's revelation of the true meaning of sex and relationships. This short book surveys the Christian worldview and applies it to the complex issues surrounding pornography, helping Christians know how to think about pornography with biblical conviction, and compassionate understanding for those influenced by it. Discover the liberating and satisfying view of sex found in the gospel.
Vaughan came to faith as he read through Matthew’s Gospel for himself as a teenager. After studying law at Cambridge University and a brief spell doing student ministry in South Africa, he moved to Oxford to study Theology at Wycliffe Hall and has lived in the city ever since. In 1991 he joined the staff of St Ebbe’s Church to lead the student ministry and since 1998 he has been Rector. He is also the Director of the Proclamation Trust, an organisation that encourages and equips Bible teachers. In his spare time Vaughan writes books and plays cricket and golf.
There are a lot of people who don’t view porn as a problem.
My husband and I just got back from a resort that has a corresponding fan Facebook page for the frequenters of the resort. The page has regular posts from people celebrating the two “special” channels that can be accessed in the rooms and evaluating the “quality” of said channels.
One of the biggest eye-opening moments for me when I went off to college was discovering how common porn is even for Christians. Whether it is celebrated or just a struggle people are trying to overcome, porn is very prevalent in the world today.
“The highly respected Nielsen Media Research organization reported that about 60 million people— over a quarter of internet users in the US— visited a pornographic website during one month in 2010…”
It was a bit ironic to read this book right before I read the book Verity which has a lot of sexual content. I think sexually graphic novels might be a blind spot for a lot of women. Just because it isn’t on a screen doesn’t mean it’s not a form of pornography that can still be harmful for us and our relationships.
Roberts suggests it may even be more powerful when we read it:
“Verbal descriptions, along with the images we see, combine to feed fantasies we create for ourselves. Sometimes the most powerful porn is stuff we create in our own heads.”
Is Porn a Problem?
I think we are naive to answer anything other than ‘yes.’
“Social commentators, medical professionals, and concerned individuals point to the negative impact it is having, for example, on body image, relational health, and the development of adolescent sexuality.”
“The American Psychological Association has stated, ‘The saturation of sexualized images of females is leading to body hatred, eating disorders, low self-esteem [and] depression.’”
“As porn has become more accessible, increasing numbers of children are viewing it at a very young age. Much of their sex education is through discovery online. And they’re not just learning the facts of life through porn; it’s also forming their attitudes to sex and their understanding of what is normal sexually.”
“A peer-reviewed research study that analyzed data from seven different countries concluded that there is ‘little doubt that, on average, individuals who consume pornography more frequently are more likely to hold attitudes [supporting] sexual aggression and engage in actual acts of sexual aggression.’”
I also read an account in This is Going to Hurt about a young girl who came in to the hospital with mutilated genitals because she had been trying to change herself to look more like what is found in porn.
Just look at this secular organization called Fight the New Drug. Their website is full of facts and stories that tell the real story about how porn hurts people, relationships, and the world at large.
You don’t have to be a Christian to recognize the harmful affects of porn.
One thing that I think is severely understated is how porn fuels human trafficking.
“According to cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, pornography was the 3rd-most common form of sex trafficking, after escort services and elicit massage businesses.”
“In fact, research has shown that porn consumers are more likely to express an intent to rape, less likely to intervene during a sexual assault, more likely to victim-blame survivors of sexual assault, more likely to support violence against women, more likely to forward sexts without consent, and more likely to commit actual acts of sexual violence. In fact, some evidence suggests that this desensitization toward sexual violence through the consumption of porn can then manifest in more willingness to buy sex, which increases the demand for individuals being trafficked for sex.” (FTND)
The idea that porn is just an experience of personal preference and conviction is a lie.
Porn is not harmless.
In this Book
This book is only 80 pages. It is not intended to be exhaustive.
Roberts wants to open this discussion in our communities and churches. This is a book with talking points.
“Our aim is to give you an accessible introduction to the many questions that surround the issues of pornography, and a starting point for constructive discussion between Christian believers and others.”
Roberts exposes the ugliness of porn and beauty of God’s design for sex. God is not against sex. It is a gift from him that he has designed with specific boundaries to protect us.
Watching porn is not a path to freedom. It’s the road to slavery.
Just as all sin chains us to our every fleshly desire that we try and fail to satisfy.
We can’t fully recognize the problem or the solution of porn until we see ourselves for what we are. Our hearts are corrupted by sin, “we are not victims; we are perpetrators.”
“Remember, the fundamental problem that causes slavery to porn is not our psychology or biology, but our sin. And to counter that, we can’t rely on self-help. We need a savior. Only Jesus Christ can truly set us free.”
The chapters in this book go from describing the problem of porn, God’s good design for sex, how porn enslaves us, where true freedom is, living porn-free, and helping others.
He provides a list of resources at the end of his book. I have images of the lists included in my original post HERE.
Living Porn-Free
There is hope!
After we see our sinful hearts, the damage of porn, and the intended purpose of sex, we may struggle to understand how we could ever get to that place.
This book has a lot of encouragement for people who may struggle with a porn addiction. There is nothing that can’t be forgiven in Christ. God turns toward us in our sin, not away. He wants to heal us and redeem us.
“The Bible has wonderful news for those who are beginning to feel they will never find victory in the fight against porn. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers complete forgiveness and also a new power by the Holy Spirit to enable us to fight sin and grow in holiness. It really is possible to live porn-free.”
I love what he says about living porn-free because it applies to any area of our lives that we want to see change. It’s not about just avoiding things and saying ‘no.’ It’s about first saying ‘yes’ to Christ and seeking after him.
“Heath Lambert writes: ‘You need to be the kind of person who fights for a close relationship with Jesus more than you fight against pornography… When you find yourself working to look to Christ more than you find yourself working to avoid porn, you’ll know you’ve turned the corner… A living, breathing relationship with Jesus will drive porn out of your life quicker than anything else. When you turn your eyes to Jesus, there isn’t room for anything else in your heart because he fills it up.’”
The focus isn’t on the sin. The focus is on the Savior.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book. As stated earlier, it’s a great introduction to this conversation.
I do wish it was a little longer because Roberts doesn’t talk at all about human trafficking which I’m always shocked that people don’t see or don’t want to see its connection to porn.
I also wish he would have addressed the idea of ‘empowerment’ as it pertains to our bodies. I think there are a lot of females that advocate for porn or sites like OnlyFans because they believe the lie that revealing our bodies gives us power. That is a harmful belief to act on.
So the conversation can’t stop here, but for those who don’t like reading big or many books, this is a really good option.
I have a couple more book suggestions below for further reading. This was the first book I read that was specifically and entirely about the topic of porn, but the others listed talk about sex, sexuality, and how that influences our identities and our bodies.
In all of them is a heart for people, grace and forgiveness, and the acknowledgment that the church has not always handled this well. Hopefully reading books like this can help us on the road to doing better in caring for people and the things they struggle with. Our sin is a common denominator with all people and we all need a Savior. The church should be a place that helps bring people to the Doctor for healing, not judging them in the waiting room for not being healed already.
I’ll end with this quote because I think we all need a reminder that our sinful choices may lead to immediate gratification but it causes us to miss out on something much greater.
“Porn is the equivalent of burning a priceless Stradivarius violin for a few moments of warmth, and missing out on a lifetime of beautiful, glorious music.”
A short but helpful book on the causes of why people watch pornography, exploring some deeper issues. As the introduction states, this book only covers the basics about porn, however the solutions it offered to be freed from this bondage were helpful and practical. Roberts continually tells us to look to Christ, and not to give in to the lies Satan and porn tell us daily. Definitely would recommend this book to people struggling in this particular area, as well as to other Christians, so we are fully equipped to help and support our struggling brothers and sisters.
An excellent little book on how to think biblically about the problem of porn, the real reason people look at it, and the only true solution-- a richer and truer affection for Christ.
"The Bible has wonderful news for those who are beginning to feel they will never find victory in the fight against porn. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers complete forgiveness and also a new power by the Holy Spirit to enable us to fight sin and grow in holiness. It really is possible to live porn-free. Jesus is realistic about the power that sin can exert over us, but he also has a message of glorious hope for us, however low we have sunk: Everyone who sins is a slave to sin...[but] if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. -- John 8:34, 36 ---------------------- Porn is an issue that has touched my life personally: I myself do not struggle with it, but I know people in my life who are enslaved to this addiction or have seen family members and friends battling it. In our secular and liberal society, porn is pandered and easily accessible: pastors, children, and Christians are not excused or overlooked by this temptation. This book was short, concise, and theologically sound: it did not beat around the bush or sugarcoat the issue. It also does something incredibly important: it does not shame or encourage Christians to feel guilty about struggling with porn. It utilizes Scripture in an incredibly empowering manner and includes a chapter on questions/answers for those who wonder how to help their family member(s) or friend(s) who are struggling, including pastors.
It also is very clear on why porn is harmful. Some of the points included are: Porn cheapens sex; Porn objectifies people; Porn corrupts its users; Porn undermines marriage; and so forth. Roberts enumerates on these points with excellent examples. He also touches on the biological (mind) and physical effects of porn, which is incredibly important.
Finally, I am so grateful he included this fact: "It may be that porn isn't a problem for you. You don't look at it and you may even be disgusted at the thought of those who do. If so, you need to heed the Bible's warning against self-righteousness: You...have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. --Romans 2:1. And that right there is a core issue of why those who struggle with porn are afraid to admit it: other Christians who do not struggle with it act self-righteous just because they don't view porn, when in reality they are just as sinful.
I would recommend this book to anyone: those who struggle with porn, those who do not, and those who have questions.
Vaughan Roberts ha escrito un libro práctico y cristocéntrico para los que luchan con la adicción a la pornografía. Este pecado es el que se evidencia primero, pero oculta otros internamente, que las meras prohibiciones no logran abordar. Aunque la disciplina y determinación son necesarias para salir de allí, el autor comenta "No se trata de alejarme de algo, sino de acercarme a alguien". El libro trata el tema con un corazón pastoral y muestra como la pornografía no satisface, sino que esclaviza; y lleva al lector a la verdadera satisfacción y libertad: Cristo.
Este libro es recomendado para los que luchan con este pecado y a los que tengan algún conocido que esté luchando con esto. Es una lectura rápida que nos recuerda que vivimos en un mundo caído, donde los ojos y los deseos van en dirección contraria al Señor, pero Él es más fuerte, en Él sí encontramos reposo.
El autor desde el principio deja claro que este libro no pretende ser un estudio minucioso o muy académico del tema, y gracias a eso se lee con las espectativas claras. No digo que es una mera guía introductoria porque creo que el autor pensó en varios detalles que agradezco, como pensar en los padres que criamos en este tiempo y cómo apoyar a personas que tienen luchas con la pornografia.
El hno. Roberts abordó este tema con gracia y apuntando siempre a alguien que es mayor, Cristo. Dio la información científica y conductual necesarias para que nos hagamos idea del daño que esto causa en las personas, sus familias, iglesias y sociedad.
Un pequeño libro para un gran problema, recomendado.
This is a simple and God-honoring approach to a very deep problem in our hearts and in our culture. I thought the presentation was tasteful, substantive, and not too provocative. I plan to use this in a situation with a young teen who has been caught in this web. I appreciated the encouragement to be more open and honest in our churches in addressing this sinful addiction. The smug denunciation of "self-righteous Pharisees" might mask a heart embroiled in the very sin they decry. It is time to welcome honest sinners and point them to a Savior who can offer something so much better than cancerous porn.
The book's blurb at the back describing it as a "short and sympathetic book surveying the Christian worldview to help Christians know how to think about pornography with biblical conviction and compassionate understanding for anyone in its grip" could not be more aptly worded. This succinct book cut through the fog of the current worldview on sexual relations, and presents with clarity a summary of the view of sex found in the gospel. Above all, it points us to Jesus, who meets the deepest longing of our hearts.
This book is a good primer to the topic of pornography and is a great book to give to someone who is battling against it. Obviously, when you have a book this short you can only say so many things. I think it was a good primer on all fronts (statistics, Biblical teaching on the subject, personal application, pastoral teaching, etc...) but I was hoping for something with more background and statistics about the porn epidemic in our culture. Great for what it is!
Vaughan Roberts achieves a good balance of pragmatism and attempting to tackle pornography addiction from a Christian point of view. There are some useful areas that I can use with clients. Being a small book, it is easy to read quickly and keep returning to. Whilst it does not go into great depth about the issue, it goes into enough for people to start getting a grip on the problem and understand what needs to be done.
Good, but short, exposition of the subject giving a Christian viewpoint. By nature it is intended to be brief but this means it leaves you with the feeling that you’d like a bit more detail and discussion, which of course you can find in other books. But this is a handy little book that you can easily dip in and out of at your leisure having read it through at least once.
This is a great, short, easy read. There are other good books that are more thorough and have more practical tips (and necessarily longer), but this one ticks the box of being both excellent and short. Ideal for someone who's not a big reader. Also, a lot of the better books about porn that are 'out there' are now a bit dated, and this one's more up-to-date with today's tech challenges. Highly recommended.
So very good. Addresses the fact that pornography is a drug and is slavery. Provides resources and scripture one could use to fight the Porn Problem. Addresses that no one is immune to watching/reading porn.
A brief, balanced, pastoral treatment of a critical topic in our age of ubiquitous internet access. Teaching and counseling young adults, I’m always on the hunt for a short, accessible, candid, and compassionate treatment of the topic of porn—and Vaughn’s treatment is all of those things.
Short but powerful book discussing the plague of porn that has paralyzed many people. Probably greatest thought from the book, in my opinion, is that winning over porn is not trying to run from porn but run to Jesus - He satisfies!
Great practical guide packed with wisdom for how to navigate the 21st century with sexual purity. This little book placed a heavy emphasis on delighting in God’s good good good design for sex and intimacy. This message is so needed within the church and within my own heart.
Read this for spiritual formations class, but nonetheless useful in tackling the issue of lust, addiction, and how Christianity doesn't just teach repression, but offers us something far more freeing than the temporary, shallow, and destructive pleasures that porn offers.
A helpful little Christian resource on dealing with porn, aimed mostly at the individual, with the final chapter offering practical tips for helping others.