The constant noise of contemporary life makes it easy to miss the most profound message the world has ever known: Jesus loves you. Innovative teachers Craig Gross and Jason Harper will separate the religious from the real as they show how this simple truth is worth our undivided attention. The authors weave Jesus' narrative with their own stories of serving among the "least of these" in this inspiring summons to world-changing faith. Join them as they encounter shut-ins, drunks, inmates, porn stars, and others while striving to follow Christ in their daily lives.
Porn Star Pain
As the word of our book gets out, the chatter starts to crackles. Thankfully, the ones who have posted on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles website have been gracious, constructive, and kind. More than 50 comments have lit up the Amazon board moving into the Top 50,000 [Out of 500,000] titles before it has even been released. Layered in between the positive feedback and five star posts has been the occasional phone call from a “Concerned Christian” who wants to “speak into my life” about some of the content that Craig and I have written about.
The flack usually isolates to the end of the book where the two most controversial chapter are located. The most frequent I have heard are people taking issue with the statement “Jesus Loves Porn Stars.” I can’t even begin to imagine how often Craig must have to fight this battle. Some have commented to me that we should have never dedicated an entire chapter to the lives of such a lascivious and lustful sub-culture. Of course I disagree. The reality is that most can’t get beyond the title. Some mistakenly believed that we are insinuating that Jesus liked porn or that he loved the vocation of porn stars. PAAAALEEEZE.
People never argue with us stating that Jesus loves the outcast or broken. No one barked at us for writing that Jesus loves the forgotten. But to say that Jesus loves the women who have so wanted and longed for affection and affirmation that they were willing to be used by a billion dollar industry – Now that is going to far.
I recently had a long conversation with one of the people who had left the industry. For years she performed in the adult sex industry. It left her empty and contemplative of God’s existence trying to cope with porn star pain. After a search, she discovered the faith of her childhood. It became real to her. It became valuable and applicable. Knowing that God was real, she walked away from everything she knew and every ounce of financial security. Hurting, broke, and in need of some community, she found her way into a church that taught hope. At that point, more than anything, she needed to hear of a God that loved her. She needed to hear of a Romans 5:8 type of God. The scripture says, “That God loved us so much, that while we were still sinning, Christ died for us.”
Hope, amidst hurt. Promise in the midst of pain.
In the context of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness, purity was granted. Though her sin was available on DVD and played out in High Definition, her mistakes, her sin, her adultery, her mess of a past life, was buried in the sea of forgetfulness. Jesus takes what has been abandoned and allows it to feel again. Despite the world’s attempt to abuse, God offered unconditional love and affection for pimps, pushers, prostitutes, and porn stars. Buried in the Old Testament is a historical account of God’s inclusive love. Hosea, the prophet of God, married a sex worker.
Today it may look different. It may be a pastor married a porn star. How does that sit within the context of your theology? If I believe that Jesus loves them, then why can’t I? Why can’t you? Why can’t others?
Today, believe in love. Believe that Jesus came to love, not judge. I need to remember that.
Much hope and more love,
Jason
Comments
I love this review here. Makes me want to run out and get it :3
Tears welled up in my eyes as I read the first chapter online. This is a message a dying world needs.
Thank you so much Jason. Your message is applicable for everyone. It reminds us that God, crowned in Glory, will take us in with open arms, no matter what situation we are in. He loves all, not just a few.
It's amazing how quick we are to judge those who WE deem more sinful than ourselves, yet God loves unconditionally no matter who we are and what we've done.
I really appreciate the honesty and "readability" of your post. I pray that as people read your blogs and your book their spiritual eyes are opened. God's mercy and grace are fresh and new for ALL of His children each day-no matter how low their momentary valley.
As a woman who has lived through a divorce of an abusive husband, I know how it feels to have judging and critical eyes bore into your soul. It only adds to the pain. They didn't see his actions-only my "lack of faith" as I left. Unless we take the time to learn about the pain others have experienced, we cannot begin to love them. And that is our great command from our Savior-to love others as He loves us!
Thank you for utilizing your gifts to transform the lives of others! May you be richly blessed!!
You are absoltely right.
John 8:3-12 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Hope is beautiful. Thanks for distributing it.