Abercrombie: Activism vs. Accessible Porn

  • Chris Livdahl
  • Apr 1, 2004
  • Series: Other
    Abercrombie: Activism vs. Accessible Porn

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    Perhaps you've heard about Abercrombie pulling the Christmas issue of their infamous Quarterly magazine from the shelves in early December. The magazine has repeatedly featured nude photos and other such questionable content. One edition includes backless underwear for girls ages 10-16 with “eye candy” and “wink wink” printed on the front. If you’ve walked by an Abercrombie store in the mall recently, you’ve probably discovered how store decorations push the envelope as well.

    Abercrombie claimed to pull the Quarterly because more shelf space was needed for merchandise. However, it is possible that the heat the company received from pro-family groups caused the retraction. It may be viewed as a victory by some, but I also see a danger in the way the Christian community tends to launch out against this material.

    abercrombieprotest.jpgIn the events that unfolded around this provocative “magalogue,” I would like to point out a potential imbalance of activity on the part of Christians. The imbalance is this: it seems a danger when Christians spend more time & energy reacting to secular culture than presenting the gospel and creating Biblical communities that ultimately reach out to that culture.

    The imbalance is dangerous because we risk trying to deal with symptoms and not the root problem. The root problem is the heart of man. Jesus said that out of the heart comes evil. No amount of wrist slapping will cure the heart of an unbeliever. Romans 8:5-8 shows us that those who are not born of the Spirit cannot please God. Those only in Christ make decisions to please God. It is no shock that Abercrombie comes out with racy content – they are not living in Christ.

    I admit that I don’t know how much is too much in regards to speaking out against the evils of our culture. Social action is necessary in many cases. But how will imposing external rules change a problem that originates in the heart? The church has often made errors on the side of legalism. Some church leaders have put rules in place over and above Scripture, and miss the heart issue as a result. For example, the imposition of celibacy for Catholic priests. Are we finding that Catholic priests are more pure sexually as a result? I think not. It is possible to impose regulation of outward morality, but it won’t change our sinful hearts. I think the social action we take shows a legalistic side of Christianity but can neglect more genuine ways to influence culture and change hearts. abercrombie2.jpg

    One genuine way to influence culture is that biblical communities should preach the Word as carefully and as truthfully as possible. Bad things happen when, for example, we overlook things like the infinite disdain for sin found in Scripture. We would invite compromise into the church, which then would bleed into the community. We must present the full gospel, including the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Christ. God will change the heart of an unbeliever by conviction of sin, repentance and through faith in Jesus Christ. When the word is preached carefully, then the glory of Christ will not be hidden. The clear gospel message will change those in the church and will impact the world.

    Another important way to influence culture is to have an authentic community. We need to have churches where we have a loving inward focus and a loving outward focus. Love each other. Also go out to serve the poor and needy. We should put the word into practice. As it says in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” When we live by the word, then Christ will be shown to the world, making it possible for people to believe on Christ.

    Merely firing weak volleys of watered-down truth from inside our white castle will not change the world. A genuine gospel and genuine Biblical community will have tremendous sway in the culture. Abercrombie would think twice about putting out lewd ads, as people that come to Christ will stop demanding it, and employees that come to Christ will stop creating it.

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