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Searching for intimacyPornography, the internet and the XXX factorInternet pornographySEARCHING FOR INTIMACY Internet pornography is huge business. It is also an increasing problem within the Christian church today. Pornography has been around for a long time, but the internet brought about a revolution — now, nobody needs to know! Thus, this subject is introduced in the foreword by Lyndon Bowring, chairman of CARE. The book consists of messages given by four different speakers at a day conference in 2004, which addressed ways in which Christians could be helped to ‘escape the web of pornography’. Online pornography leads to a spiral of needing harder and harder material to satisfy those feelings numbed by giving in to a desire for instant gratification. The authors, in some parts, are pretty explicit in their language — but it is necessary to speak boldly against a sin that is unashamed of its own appeal. Addiction to this kind of material is as real as any craving for drink or drugs. It is available 24/7 — and it is cheap! Stephen Carrick-Davies (Chief Executive of Childnet International, which is established on Christian principles) has a chapter that every parent will want to read. Many children get hooked accidentally; how many parents know about ‘grooming’ whereby initial contact is made with children in the so-called ‘chat room’? How many are aware of the ‘ticking time bomb’ of pornography on mobile phones? Who will be around to monitor our youngsters then? The final chapter gives most helpful, and biblical, instruction regarding the war going on with so many in the fight against temptation. Psalm 51 reminds us of just how offensive sin is to a holy God. To realise that we have grieved this God is the beginning of victory. Chapter two tells of the vicar who, in an attempt to avoid temptation, would take the aerial out of the TV in his hotel room and lock it in the boot of his car! This reviewer is reminded of the words of the American preacher he heard some months ago who declared: ‘This may shock some of you, but do you realise that you will make it to heaven if you never use a computer again?!’ For some, this may be a modern application of Jesus’s command to cut off and gouge out! A very timely — and much needed — little volume. Jonathan Wood, © Evangelicals Now - September 2005 |