Fifty Shades of Freedom

In June, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force drafted a recommendation that “clinicians screen women of childbearing age for intimate partner violence (IPV), such as domestic violence, and provide or refer women who screen positive to intervention services,” extending the call to include even those “women who do not have signs or symptoms of abuse.”[1] Given the subject matter (and the popularity) of the Fifty Shades of Grey series, one might wonder if anyone is really in a position to judge the behaviors that constitute abuse. Indeed, according to guidelines set forth by both the Centers for Disease Control and the American Medical Association, the nature of Grey’s relationship with Ana establishes a clear case of abuse.^[2]

Yet millions of readers simply cannot (or will not) make the connection between the abusive nature of Grey’s “love” for Ana and the real-life consequences that kind of love incurs. In a culture that equates love with abuse, how on earth can we as Christians reasonably introduce the truth? Do I think you should read the book? By no means. Rather, I would ask that you skip the book and pick up your Bible because active engagement in the Word prepares the mind for active involvement in the world (Romans 12:2). Only Scripture can prepare us to make a reasonable defense (1 Peter 3:15).

Over the past couple of days, we have examined the explosive popularity driving the Fifty Shades trilogy, and why we as believers should be concerned. Today I want to take a look at how we can engage a culture that views the world through a Grey shaded lens. read more...