Wholesome Porn

Dear Victorious,

The Christian world, and society in general, seems to have taken the position that pornography is always bad. Quite honestly, I've seen some tasteful porn. Do you think there's room for tasteful pornography, enjoyed in the privacy on one's own home, in the context of a committed, healthy marriage?

Peter V. - Scottsdale, AZ

Dear Peter,

You're making an assumption that your definition of "tasteful" pornography is accurate and agreed upon by others. That you believe there can be such a thing as pornography that is "tasteful" says much about where you're coming from. Objectifying the human body, focuses on body parts --- instead of whole individuals --- is not a godly way to express sexuality.

You can call it tasteful, but that doesn't make it righteous or godly. Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus ourselves on things that are "excellent and worthy of praise." But you're taking something that you don't find so offensive and trying to place it in that category of things that are excellent and worthy of praise. I don't believe Christianity will go there with you.

The world has a poor definition of what sexuality is. Consequently, we have no concept of what godly sexuality is. I think any reasonable Bible scholar will tell you that there is no room for pornography in God-honoring relationships. Period. (And I would agree with that conclusion!)