Comments on: Arousing Ourselves to Death http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/ By Russell D. Moore. Russell D. Moore serves as the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. In addition, Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find sermons and other resources to help Christians engage the culture from a biblical worldview at www.russellmoore.com. Tue, 22 May 2012 19:46:16 +0000 By: Moore to the Point – Arousing Ourselves to Death | Wayne Schuller’s Blog http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-123406 Moore to the Point – Arousing Ourselves to Death | Wayne Schuller’s Blog Mon, 16 May 2011 07:53:17 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-123406 [...] Moore to the Point – Arousing Ourselves to Death. This entry was posted in Apologetics, Ethics, Marriage. Bookmark the permalink. ← Stroke [...] [...] Moore to the Point – Arousing Ourselves to Death. This entry was posted in Apologetics, Ethics, Marriage. Bookmark the permalink. ← Stroke [...]

]]> By: Forward Progress » Blog Archive » Arousing Ourselves to Death http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-117406 Forward Progress » Blog Archive » Arousing Ourselves to Death Thu, 05 May 2011 13:25:28 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-117406 [...] article from Russell Moore is important to read, especially if you have sons. Or if you are a [...] [...] article from Russell Moore is important to read, especially if you have sons. Or if you are a [...]

]]> By: Barbara Thayer http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-116896 Barbara Thayer Wed, 04 May 2011 18:47:08 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-116896 Excellent article to post. This is becoming such an issue in the church and the church does need to address it and not run from it. Thank you for this well written article. It is affecting more families than we would think! Excellent article to post. This is becoming such an issue in the church and the church does need to address it and not run from it. Thank you for this well written article. It is affecting more families than we would think!

]]> By: Tom Reilly http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-116805 Tom Reilly Wed, 04 May 2011 15:25:39 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-116805 All great stuff - thank you - but the most unique element of your article is the contrast between the desert tempting and the Bride's wedding feast. It reminds me of Jesus saying, "for you, any time is right" and "my time is not yet come." As we wait in the area of our sexuality, whatever the specific details of our wait, let's remember that even the highest and purest sexual experience is only a pointer to the joy that lies ahead, surpassing that unwholesome bite of desert-bread by a whole banquet. Unfathomable love, joy, fulfillment, and release are coming, in His time. All great stuff - thank you - but the most unique element of your article is the contrast between the desert tempting and the Bride’s wedding feast. It reminds me of Jesus saying, “for you, any time is right” and “my time is not yet come.” As we wait in the area of our sexuality, whatever the specific details of our wait, let’s remember that even the highest and purest sexual experience is only a pointer to the joy that lies ahead, surpassing that unwholesome bite of desert-bread by a whole banquet. Unfathomable love, joy, fulfillment, and release are coming, in His time.

]]> By: Dr. Irv Woolf http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-113420 Dr. Irv Woolf Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:15:04 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-113420 I loved Dr. Moore's article. I trumpet the need for more than guardrails against pornography addiction--firewalls, accountability software, men's groups. The answer must go deeper to the heart of the one viewing porn for porn is nothing less than a form of idolatry. It is finding satisfaction in something other than Jesus Christ and offering that alternative god our time, energy, finances, and sexuality. Porn is and always will be a form of false intimacy, a dry well which can never quench our thirst for true intimacy. What Dr. Moore did not touch on, which needs to be addressed, is the isolationism of pornography. Porn is typically viewed in secret, in isolation. Dr. Moore's article seems to imply that the answer is equally individualistic; that porn can be overcome solely by oneself with the help of the Lord. I would humbly submit that isolation is part of the problem not the solution. Man was built for community. Yes he can function alone, but he wasn't designed that way. God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" Gen 2:8. Our ministry, the National Coalition For Purity, strives to strike a balance between solid biblical underpinning that is theologically sound and dynamic small group, high-level accountability over a prolonged period of time. After ministering for 5 years and dealing with over 6000 men we have found that men do not trust easily. It takes a prolonged period of time, confidentiality, and transparency to bring men to the point of where they will trust other men. To learn more, our website is: www.puritycoalition.org. I loved Dr. Moore’s article. I trumpet the need for more than guardrails against pornography addiction–firewalls, accountability software, men’s groups. The answer must go deeper to the heart of the one viewing porn for porn is nothing less than a form of idolatry. It is finding satisfaction in something other than Jesus Christ and offering that alternative god our time, energy, finances, and sexuality. Porn is and always will be a form of false intimacy, a dry well which can never quench our thirst for true intimacy.

What Dr. Moore did not touch on, which needs to be addressed, is the isolationism of pornography. Porn is typically viewed in secret, in isolation. Dr. Moore’s article seems to imply that the answer is equally individualistic; that porn can be overcome solely by oneself with the help of the Lord. I would humbly submit that isolation is part of the problem not the solution. Man was built for community. Yes he can function alone, but he wasn’t designed that way. God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him”
Gen 2:8.

Our ministry, the National Coalition For Purity, strives to strike a balance between solid biblical underpinning that is theologically sound and dynamic small group, high-level accountability over a prolonged period of time. After ministering for 5 years and dealing with over 6000 men we have found that men do not trust easily. It takes a prolonged period of time, confidentiality, and transparency to bring men to the point of where they will trust other men. To learn more, our website is: http://www.puritycoalition.org.

]]> By: Thursday Headlines & Links - Shane Raynor http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-113167 Thursday Headlines & Links - Shane Raynor Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:15:02 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-113167 [...] of Evolution – Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Huffington Post God, Risk, and Evil – Ryan Dueck Arousing Ourselves to Death – Russell D. Moore Chick-Fil-A on Doing Unto Others – Lisa Landoe, Christian Century [...] [...] of Evolution – Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Huffington Post God, Risk, and Evil – Ryan Dueck Arousing Ourselves to Death – Russell D. Moore Chick-Fil-A on Doing Unto Others – Lisa Landoe, Christian Century [...]

]]> By: Jon H. http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112900 Jon H. Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:18:36 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112900 Dr. Moore - Please keep writing on this subject. Godly wisdom on this subject is needed in every corner of the Kingdom and likely more than we can even imagine. How many churches are running in place, being held back because of this problem among its members, and they don't even know it? Dr. Moore - Please keep writing on this subject. Godly wisdom on this subject is needed in every corner of the Kingdom and likely more than we can even imagine. How many churches are running in place, being held back because of this problem among its members, and they don’t even know it?

]]> By: Pornography and the Church « agapǝdoxy http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112878 Pornography and the Church « agapǝdoxy Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:29:17 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112878 [...] should probably just read the whole thing, all of it is quotable. from → Uncategorized ← Gandhi Was Wrong LikeBe the [...] [...] should probably just read the whole thing, all of it is quotable. from → Uncategorized ← Gandhi Was Wrong LikeBe the [...]

]]> By: Combing the Net – 4/28/2011 « Honey and Locusts http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112762 Combing the Net – 4/28/2011 « Honey and Locusts Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:29:13 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112762 [...] Arousing Ourselves to Death — Pornography is wrecking Christian marriages, and churches are often ill-prepared to help. Russell Moore urges Christians and churches to take porn seriously, and to wage war against it. Why is pornography such a strong temptation? “Pornography, by its very nature, leads to insatiability. One picture, stored in the memory, will never be enough to continue arousing a man. God, after all, designed the man and the woman to be satisfied not with a single sex act but with an ongoing appetite for each other, for the unitive and procreative union of flesh to flesh and soul to soul. One seeking the mystery outside of this covenantal union will never find what he is looking for. He will never find an image naked enough to satisfy him.” [...] [...] Arousing Ourselves to Death — Pornography is wrecking Christian marriages, and churches are often ill-prepared to help. Russell Moore urges Christians and churches to take porn seriously, and to wage war against it. Why is pornography such a strong temptation? “Pornography, by its very nature, leads to insatiability. One picture, stored in the memory, will never be enough to continue arousing a man. God, after all, designed the man and the woman to be satisfied not with a single sex act but with an ongoing appetite for each other, for the unitive and procreative union of flesh to flesh and soul to soul. One seeking the mystery outside of this covenantal union will never find what he is looking for. He will never find an image naked enough to satisfy him.” [...]

]]> By: Sam Isaacson http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112656 Sam Isaacson Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:03:26 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112656 I agree with Robby above; I think that many Christians know that they *should* repent, but feel that if they do, they will be looked at differently. Perhaps people's opinions of them will change, perhaps they will be asked to step down from leadership. Repenting to a brother or sister about certain sins is seen as a good thing - if I ever confess to feeling proud you can almost hear people thinking, 'wow, how humble of him!' but confessing to lust surely would not be met with the same response. I think that the church has a way to go yet in creating an atmosphere where confession to sins like this is encouraged, welcomed, and well-supported. And, for the record, I think that homosexuality is seen in the same way: http://t.co/FbdjXyQ I agree with Robby above; I think that many Christians know that they *should* repent, but feel that if they do, they will be looked at differently. Perhaps people’s opinions of them will change, perhaps they will be asked to step down from leadership.

Repenting to a brother or sister about certain sins is seen as a good thing - if I ever confess to feeling proud you can almost hear people thinking, ‘wow, how humble of him!’ but confessing to lust surely would not be met with the same response.

I think that the church has a way to go yet in creating an atmosphere where confession to sins like this is encouraged, welcomed, and well-supported.

And, for the record, I think that homosexuality is seen in the same way: http://t.co/FbdjXyQ

]]> By: Worth a Look 4.28.11 : Kingdom People http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112581 Worth a Look 4.28.11 : Kingdom People Thu, 28 Apr 2011 06:40:47 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112581 [...] Moore: Arousing Ourselves to Death The powers want any child of Adam, especially a brother or sister of the Lord Jesus, to cringe in [...] [...] Moore: Arousing Ourselves to Death The powers want any child of Adam, especially a brother or sister of the Lord Jesus, to cringe in [...]

]]> By: Alv Sakrisson http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112424 Alv Sakrisson Thu, 28 Apr 2011 01:32:05 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112424 Amen. Amen.

]]> By: Alex Waney http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112380 Alex Waney Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:39:23 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112380 If there is a "like" button for this blog, I will definitely "like" 100 times! Thank you Dr. Moore for articulating the big current issue and showing us how Gospel is the solution to the problem. If there is a “like” button for this blog, I will definitely “like” 100 times! Thank you Dr. Moore for articulating the big current issue and showing us how Gospel is the solution to the problem.

]]> By: Bryan Stone http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112292 Bryan Stone Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:32:29 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112292 @Robby Hall, I am truly sorry that is the culture at your church. I lead a small group for my church and the men in the group get together regularly for the specific purpose of repentance. I have seen this bring great fruit in the form of healed marriages and more fruitful single lives. I would encourage you to challenge this shunning behavior of your church with scripture and if they do not respond, find a church that actually preachs the Bible. I also recommend www.xxxchurch.com & Porn Again Christian by Mark Driscoll as resources that I have used in my own life as well as mentoring others. @Robby Hall, I am truly sorry that is the culture at your church. I lead a small group for my church and the men in the group get together regularly for the specific purpose of repentance. I have seen this bring great fruit in the form of healed marriages and more fruitful single lives.

I would encourage you to challenge this shunning behavior of your church with scripture and if they do not respond, find a church that actually preachs the Bible. I also recommend http://www.xxxchurch.com & Porn Again Christian by Mark Driscoll as resources that I have used in my own life as well as mentoring others.

]]> By: Rob Tucker http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112246 Rob Tucker Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:01:23 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112246 Wow, great post on an important topic Dr. Moore. My quick-thoughts on porn here: http://bit.ly/hWr7Cw Wow, great post on an important topic Dr. Moore. My quick-thoughts on porn here: http://bit.ly/hWr7Cw

]]> By: Courtney (WomenLivingWell) http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112209 Courtney (WomenLivingWell) Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:54:02 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112209 Wow- this blog post is extrememly timely for me because I just posted a blog post TODAY where I touched on this issue: http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-if-your-husband-is-not-interested.html It stirred up a lot of trouble with some of my readers - I got some pretty nasty emails and have 40+ comments already on the post! I am compiling a list of links to share with my readers next week on this subject and yours is at the top of the list! Thank you for writing this! Courtney Wow- this blog post is extrememly timely for me because I just posted a blog post TODAY where I touched on this issue:

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-if-your-husband-is-not-interested.html

It stirred up a lot of trouble with some of my readers - I got some pretty nasty emails and have 40+ comments already on the post! I am compiling a list of links to share with my readers next week on this subject and yours is at the top of the list! Thank you for writing this!

Courtney

]]> By: Robby Hall http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/04/27/arousing-ourselves-to-death/#comment-112121 Robby Hall Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:50:12 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=6567#comment-112121 As someone guilty of pornography, I can tell you that the church isn't set up for anyone to "come clean". Once you do, you are sent off to "people who can help" and are from then on treated differently. Most people don't want to hear anyone confess this sin. And if they do, they no longer want to associate with you. You become unclean and so question whether the Gospel has any true validity in the church. Once you become trapped by pornography, their is an overwhelming sense of defeat and an inevitability of loneliness. As someone guilty of pornography, I can tell you that the church isn’t set up for anyone to “come clean”. Once you do, you are sent off to “people who can help” and are from then on treated differently.

Most people don’t want to hear anyone confess this sin. And if they do, they no longer want to associate with you. You become unclean and so question whether the Gospel has any true validity in the church.

Once you become trapped by pornography, their is an overwhelming sense of defeat and an inevitability of loneliness.

]]>