A question for Biblical scholars?

Question

What does the Bible have to say on pornography? I have read it and I can not find a reference that condemns porn. In fact the entire Song of Solomon text should be considered ...well....downright naughty.

Thank you all for the excellent answers, I am greatly enjoying your perspectives. Let me add this to the discussion. Although the term pornography may not have existed, Enticing images have been around as long as there has been something to draw them on. The earliest surviving artwork of underwear was Sumaria, 3,000BC.

Answer 1

The word “Pornography” comes into English directly from the Greek word “pornographous” which meant writings about prostitutes (from the root words prone, “harlot,” and graphos, “writing.” The English word has come to have a broader definition to include all writings, photographs, or works of art that depict sexual activity, particularly illicit sexual acts or perversions.

Let me give you a Biblical perspective on this. There are a number of words in the Greek New Testament that condemn Pornography. If a sincere person were to consider just context here is what they would find:

Galatians 5:19-21
19* Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20* idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21* envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In verse 19 above, the first word that we will look at is the Greek word:

1) PORNEIA (fornication, immorality, sexual vice) (porneia)
This is a generic word in Greek that covers all forms of sexual impurity. Originally, it meant "to act the harlot" and then "to indulge unlawful lust"

As used in the New Testament, we find it having at least four different meanings...
a. Pre-marital sex - 1 Cor. 7:1-2
b. A synonym for adultery - Matt 19:9
c. A generic sense referring to all forms of unchastity -
1 Cor 6:13,18
d. A specific sense referring to harlotry and prostitution - Rev. 2:20-21

Answer 2

You're right. If they actually read Song of Solomon with the understanding that it's about making "love" to a woman, they would see that is just as much Porn as any Erotic book out there today. It's just that it seems more poetic than what we read/write today.

And yes, they most certainly had "porn" back then. Though lust is spoken against, it seems that it wasn't too big of a deal with most of the men in the Bible. Abraham had a lover (Hagar), King David had a few wives, Solomon himself had 300 wives and some 600 concubines (these were considered sex slaves back then). I have a very hard time with considering the people spoken of in the Bible as "men of God" all the while others are putting down things like Porn and lust... when it's written right in the book just what those men were doing. For crying out loud, David killed a man in order to get his wife! Yet King David is considered a great man in the Bible. *sigh*

Answer 3

I am studying end times at the moment but I stress that I do not have all the answers on it. The first thing to be aware of is Revelation 11:3 where it specifically states 1260 days (3.5 years or 42 months). Then 12:6 where it mentions the same thing. Revelation 11:2 states 42 months (1260 days or 3.5 years). The scriptures that show 2 3.5-year periods show the 7-year tribulation. The book of Daniel is based on Daniels 70 'weeks'. In this prophesy Daniel tells what happens at the start of this '70 weeks' and we see the starting point and the fulfilment of these scriptures up to 69 'weeks'. The total time taken for the fulfilment of these 69 'weeks' is 483 years, leaving one 7 year period (1 'week') remaining. There are many interpretations of these scriptures and the Jehovah Witnesses claim that as of 1914 (I think) Satan actually took control of the Earth in a badly thought out translation of end times. In all the other interpretations of end times scripture there are either major internal inconsistencies or the end time was supposed to be already passed. The only interpretation that is left is the 'gap' theory (based on 69 'weeks' in Daniel followed by a 'gap' followed by the 7 year tribulation). It is worth noting that there is no way of interpreting Daniels 70 'weeks' without getting 7-year weeks and without getting 1 week remaining. The problem is what happens to that 'week' That probably didn't make much since but as I said I am still studying it so I don't claim to have all the answers. I would also suggest reading "The Bible Prophesy Handbook" by John Ecob for a much more detailed look at Bible prophesy and the different end times interpretations. God Bless Ps. just to reiterate. The 42 months is reflected by the 1260 days so there isn't any way to look at a different calendar system without creating internal inconsistencies in the interpretation (as they would need to be applied to Daniels 70 weeks as well.)

Answer 4

re was one thing I could change aBy far, the most searched for terms on the internet are related to pornography. Pornography is rampant in the world today. Perhaps more than anything else, Satan has succeeded in twisting and perverting sex. He has taken what is good and right (loving sex between a husband and wife) and replaced it with lust, pornography, adultery, rape, and homosexuality. Pornography is simply the first step on a very slippery slope of ever-increasing wickedness and immorality (Romans 6:19). Just as a drug user is led to consume greater and more powerful quantities of drugs, so pornography drags a person into hard-core sexual addictions and ungodly desires.

The three main categories of sin are: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Pornography definitely causes us to lust after flesh, and it undeniably is a lust for our eyes. Pornography definitely does not qualify as one of the things we are to think about, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Pornography is addictive (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19), destructive (Proverbs 6:25-28; Ezekiel 20:30; Ephesians 4:19), and leads to ever-increasing wickedness (Romans 6:19). Lusting after other people in our minds (the essence of pornography) is offensive to God (Matthew 5:28). When habitual devotion to pornography characterizes a person’s being, that demonstrates the person is not saved (1 Corinthians 6:9).

Answer 5

"Test everything. Cling to what is good. Avoid every kind of evil."

Humans will always be inventing all kinds of things, some with neutral motives, some with good intentions, some with evil intentions. What is the intention, or purpose, of pornography? Is it intended to stimulate you to wholesome, holy, pure, worshipfull thought, OR is it intended to stimulate your sexual nature, so that you look at the humans in the magazines as mere objects of your lust and fantasy?

Is sex evil? No, God created sex. However, like everything else in this life, sex can be abused, and can be used to abuse others. May I suggest that pornography is a tool of sexual abuse: against the people portrayed in the pages, the person viewing the images, and the people viewed by the reader, who then compares the real people he SEES, with the airbrushed photo-prostitutes in his magazines.

You mentioned the Song of Solomon. While it is not pornography (lacking pictures...) it can be seen as erotica. But what is it about? The right longing for a young bride and bridegroom for each other. They long for each other out of love, not lust. Who says that married sex has to be boring? Isn't that a false advertisement that has been fostered against the Judeo-Christian faith? Sex, in the right context, can be holy, righteous, and good.

Answer 6

The Bible condemns pornography and it is mentioned in it as sexual immorality. Read: Matthew 15:19, Romans 13:13

Salomon's writings are allusive to the relationship of a husband and a wife inside the marriage, and it is poetry, beautiful, nothing close to be porn.

Answer 7

What is condemned are things that can lead you to sin. First, if you follow the bible (Christian or Jew) and you think about how they create the porn that you would be viewing, you should have a problem with it. Also, if you are married, lusting after another is sin--the same as adultery in God's eyes. Looking at porn may lead you to lust after what you are viewing, which would be sin. If you are married, unless you and your spouse enjoy porn together (and can overlook how/why it's made), it has no place in your life, as it will only lead to trouble--or is a sign that there is already trouble in your marriage.

Even if you are not married, I would be concerned that viewing porn could lead you to develop some habits that would be unhealthy for a relationship. What purpose is it serving you?

My advice would be to stay away from it.

Answer 8

By far, the most searched for terms on the internet are related to pornography. Pornography is rampant in the world today. Perhaps more than anything else, Satan has succeeded in twisting and perverting sex. He has taken what is good and right (loving sex between a husband and wife) and replaced it with lust, pornography, adultery, rape, and homosexuality. Pornography is simply the first step on a very slippery slope of ever-increasing wickedness and immorality (Romans 6:19). Just as a drug user is led to consume greater and more powerful quantities of drugs, so pornography drags a person into hard-core sexual addictions and ungodly desires.
The three main categories of sin are: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Pornography definitely causes us to lust after flesh, and it undeniably is a lust for our eyes. Pornography definitely does not qualify as one of the things we are to think about, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Pornography is addictive (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19), destructive (Proverbs 6:25-28; Ezekiel 20:30; Ephesians 4:19), and leads to ever-increasing wickedness (Romans 6:19). Lusting after other people in our minds (the essence of pornography) is offensive to God (Matthew 5:28). When habitual devotion to pornography characterizes a person’s being, that demonstrates the person is not saved (1 Corinthians 6:9).
If there was one thing I could change about my life prior to becoming a Christian, it would be my involvement with pornography. Thanks be to God - He can and will give the victory. Are you involved with pornography and desire freedom from it? Here are some steps to victory: (1) Confess your sin to God (1 John 1:9). (2) Pray for God to cleanse, renew, and transform your mind (Romans 12:2). (3) Ask God to fill your mind with Philippians 4:8. (4) Learn to possess your body in holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). (5) Understand the proper meaning of sex and rely on your spouse to meet that need alone (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). (6) Realize that if you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). (7) Take practical steps to reduce your exposure to graphic images (i.e. install pornography blockers on your computer, limit television and video usage, find another Christian who will pray for you and help keep you accountable—your spouse, if you are married).

Answer 9

Watching porn tends to de-sensitize the viewers. Also, it's participatory sin - it promotes sexual immorality, even when the actors are married. Further, it's generally not healthy to generate such fantasies that no normal person can live up to.

As for the Song of Solomon, it's supposed to be sort of "naughty." It's about people in love. It's been used as an example of Jesus' love for us, as well.

Sex is a gift from God, to be used not only to procreate, but to enjoy - physically, emotionally, etc. But there are limitations, as outlined in Scripture.

Answer 10

Later Jewish writers also found it naughty. They were probably emberrassed by Solomon's carrying on.
One of the beauties of the Bible is it's myriad of voices over 8,000 years of man's history, as he first crawls out from under the rocks. Not just one voice. Noah got in trouble for getting naked in front of his daughters. Christ was hung for essentially obscenity charges, consorting with prostitutes and leperous thieves/gentiles. Through all the murder and polygamy practised by different heros, there is still some sense of dignity, propeitry and self awareness that we were given when we were cast from Eden, something shared perhaps with some of the more social animals. A little guilt is not a bad thing for social order and self respect and long term happiness. Early judaic law makes things like mixed blend fabrics as well as sodomy grounds for stoning, (say is that a polyester blend you are wearing there...?) But still modesty seems a virtue. Nakedness is generally God's punishment, marking you as an outcast, though perhpas more as a sign of poverty, spiritual as well as fiscal. The nudity of many crucifixes shows us as exposed to the elements and dependent on God's grace.
Ecclisastes paraphrased: When all is said, a good job, a good wife, and a good bottle of wine are the only things you can expect from life." (Also Solomon I believe) a view that was not universally held by the Jewish writers. A passion exposed is obsenity when not treated with respect. maybe.