The guys over at xxxchurch are at it again. You gotta give it to them for trying. If you’re not familiar with them, check out their anti-porn ministry and their internet accountability software. Good stuff, for sure. I applaud these guys—they are amazing.

Their latest effort to reach those who are trapped in the sin of pornography and it’s money-making lifestyle has been to pass out free Bibles at adult film conventions—typically at the rate of 1,000 per convention.

Following in the wake of The Sportsman’s Bible, The Coach’s Bible,as well as a hundred versions of The Student’s Bible ( I even own a Dirt Track Racer’s Bible!), Mike and Craig approached the publishers with a cover that simply read “Jesus Loves Porn Stars”. …as expected, the publishing powers-that-be denied them. Here’s an excerpt from the L.A. Times:

The publisher said that while it applauded the outreach to those who make a living off pornography, “the wording is misleading and inappropriate for a New Testament,” according to a letter the pastors received from Barbara Bernstengel, the executive in charge of standards at the nonprofit Bible publishing company.
Bernstengel offered several alternatives, but the pastors rejected them.
“In this case, we think this is a fight worth having because it goes to the core of the Gospel,” Foster said. Gross said their slogan isn’t misleading; Jesus does love porn stars and the message doesn’t insinuate that he loves pornography. “But that’s why we’re putting the Bible in [the porn stars'] hands Jesus is not OK with it,” said Gross, a former youth pastor who works on the XXXchurch.com website from his Lake Elsinore garage. “The publisher is hindering the Gospel going forth.” The number of companies that publish the Bible is limited. Modern versions of the Scriptures are licensed to publishers by the organizations that did the translations. The XXXchurch.com pastors say the rejection of the cover is typical of the clash between old school Christianity with its rigid structure and traditions and an emerging brand practiced mostly by younger Christians who focus on relationships, spiritual experiences and converting nonbelievers through bold, sometimes edgy marketing.

Later in the article Craig says this:

… it’s time for Christians to take risks. “Yeah, the cover’s out there; it’s controversial, it’s provocative, it’s wacky,” he said. “But it’s to draw attention to the content. If people have that book in their hands, it’s a good thing.”

Thoughts? Is the cover ‘too much’? What’s the message being sent? What part does 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 play in all this? What would you think about carrying around a Bible that read “Jesus Loves Porn Stars” on the cover?

You can check out the x3 blog here.