Saturday, July 26, 2014

50 Shades of Grey and the Christian Bedroom

Last week Hollywood released a trailer for 50 Shades of Grey. The movie is based on E.L. James's best-selling trilogy in which sweet, quiet Anastasia Steele's (Dakota Johnson) life changes when she meets billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). The book series is immensely popular and one can expect the movie to be as well. 50 Shades is notable for it's explicitly erotic scenes featuring elements of sexual practice involving bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM).

Since the release of the trailer the internet has exploded with blogs, posts, and tweets about the trailer, book, and upcoming movie. A few Christians are encouraging a boycott of the movie but unfortunately the majority of the posts are in excitement and anticipation of the upcoming movie. Most of the individuals who are supporting the movie and who read the book are young, conservative, stay at home moms. The same women who fill churches on Sundays and shout a hearty Amen against the evils of pornography are the ones who have read 50 Shades of Grey and are planning on seeing the movie.

Society is distorting/has distorted God's plan for sex. I spent 20 minutes this afternoon researching the plot for 50 Shades to help pull back the curtain on society's distortion. I will outline the themes and than outline God's theme/plan for sex from Song of Solomon.

50 Shades of Grey Plot:
21 year old Ana Steele interviews 27 year old Christian Grey. Ana is instantly attracted to Christian but is intimated by him. She botches the interview and never expects to see Christian again. Fortunately, Christian finds Ana attractive and invites her out to coffee. While out for coffee Christian explains he isn't a "flowers" type of guy. Later that night Ana gets drunk and calls Christian. Christian flies his helicopter out to pick her up. When Ana arrives at Christian's house he shows her his playroom full of bondage toys and gear. He makes her sign a contract to make sure she does not talk about anything which she sees. He also attempts to get her to sign a second contract of dominance and submission. The contract also stipulates a non-romantic relationship; one of only sex. There can be no touching or eye contract. Ana reveals she is a virgin and loses her virginity to Christian without signing a contract (what a guy). Later on, Christian attempts to control Ana dictating what she can/can't eat, he spanks Ana and the climax of the book involves Christian beating Ana with a belt.

I hope you are as appalled as I am at the plot to this book/movie. But if not allow me to outline one more time. Drunk date, bondage, toys, contract, control, submission, non-romantic relationship, no eye contact, spanking and the climax involves a young lady being beaten with a belt. (I am pounding the keys in frustration that anyone would pay for a ticket much less tweet in anticipation of the movie). 50 Shades of Grey is a distortion of God's plan for sex.

God designed sex to be for a married man and woman but sadly society has taken God's gift and cheapened/redefined it. In contrast to the distorted version of sex put forth in 50 Shades of Grey God's word outlines a beautiful, sensual, and passionate view of sex. Song of Solomon outlines the blessing and beauty of the Christian bedroom.

Song of Solomon Plot:
The bedroom is to be a place of satisfying attractiveness. Men are to meet their wife's need for verbal support and women are to meet their husband's need for visual stimulation. (4:1-7). The bedroom is to be a place of sensual anticipation. Couples are to invite their mate to come to each other and indicate how your mate captivates you (4:8-11). The bedroom is to be a place of specific availability. God is pleased when we keep ourselves pure and God is pleased when we give each other pleasure (4:12-15). The bedroom is to be a place of spiritual affection. We are to encourage our mates to make love with us and encourage our mate after make love (4:16-5:1). Finally, the bedroom is to be a place of spiritual approval. Sex in marriage enjoys divine approval and spouses in marriage enjoy divine affection.

Which version of sex captivates you? Which version of sex will last for 50 years?

50 Shades of Grey is a distortion of God's beautiful design for sex. I'm sure lots of women will flock to the theaters on Valentines Day 2015 and purchase tickets to see this movie; unfortunately, they will find that the movie may be erotic and entertaining for two hours but it will not satisfy. The only version of sex which will satisfy is the beautiful, sensual, and passionate version which has been instituted by God and outlined in the Bible. God's design for sex is the only one which will satisfy.

Notes take from:
1) USA Today; 50 Shades of Grey Article
2) Wikepedia: 50 Shades of Grey Plot Summary
3) Dr. Danny Akin's outline on Song of Solomon

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