I have read a lot about this film and the book lately. The
book was originally styled after, or a tie in with The Twilight fan fiction series.
It morphed into its own unique book. However, the genre and story aren't all
that special or unique. It is intriguing though, that the story of a rich,
controlling and powerful man who manipulates a woman into essentially being his
S&M [BDSM] sex toy is such a money-making machine. Why would this story of
control, abuse and near sex slavery sell so many books? This is not a healthy
love story, but it is a toxic unhealthy relationship. From the male
perspective, he is not interested in love or a human relationship at all. For
females there are many red flags to help women avoid such toxic relationships. Don’t
give into a guy’s weird whims, for one. As an experienced church leader I have never
seen a woman turn a bad-boy into a good man by giving into his control and
manipulation. Yet, I have seen many women attempt to do just that. I
have seen it a lot! Why do women put themselves into this abusive
situation? It’s futile and foolish. Why are the primary purchasers of these
books married women over 30? Something must be off in their marriages.
There are distinct similarities between Dorian Gray, Faust
and Christian Grey. They throw off any chance of moral integrity in order to
pursue power. The Gray/Grey men are creeps who abuse women and merely use them
for pleasure. They also struggle with Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde moral duplicity.
Oscar Wilde enjoyed “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” which was only
about 5 years prior to his Gray novel. The Fifty Shades trilogy even has an
antagonist named Jack Hyde. Is this plagiarism?
The modern day version of the above stories has lost the
fact that the hero/anti-hero often struggles with their moral duplicity. Does
Christian Grey have an internal struggle with his control and BDSM desires or
does he just roll with it because of how he was mentored by an older lady? Are these all stories wrestling with
good versus evil? They, like the Bible, lean toward showing that mankind is
inclined more easily toward evil. Selfishness
never satisfies. Forgoing hindering, avoiding or repressing evil and giving
in to all kinds or immoral and amoral life-styles does not reduce the need to
behave licentiously. Instead they exacerbate the need for more of the socially disapproved
behaviors. It’s like attempting to stop fits of anger and rage by beating a
punching bag. Studies show that this actually encourages the drive to be more
enraged.
Now for the strange twist. I woke up just before 1am Sunday
morning thinking this:
- What if “Fifty Shades of Grey” can be used by God to explain a metaphor within the Christian Church between leaders and attenders? Why did the author name this lead male character “Christian?” He is obviously not a follower of Jesus. He shows no understanding or real love or forgiveness. He lets his wounds control his thinking and behavior.
- This next idea may tie
more closely analytically with the negative history of Roman Catholicism
but it also ties with modern day Protestant churches with powerful
leaders: What if the comparison is made between Christian Grey and some
bishops, popes or pastors who have similar character issues as
controlling, powerful, successful
leaders wanting a contract regarding behavior. “Do what we tell you to
because we are the leaders and sign this contract/covenant of submission
to our leadership.” This negative leadership in Christian churches can be
seen from the early popes, Constantine, Roman Catholic armies killing
unbelievers and protestants, European political leaders making themselves
church leaders also, the founding of the USA based on fleeing such tyranny,
Salem witch trials, USA slavery, KKK, independent churches sprouting on
every corner rather than being part of domineering denominations, then the
independent churches that grow large due to a strong leader become like
what they fled: sign the membership covenant, do what your told, submit to
the spiritual overseers in authority over you, give a decent chunk of your
income, follow the leaders vision/mission because God speaks to them and
not necessarily you, etc.
What if?
What lessons can you learn from this twist? Does any of this
apply to you or your church or church friends? Are you seeing any power/control
problems in relationships or institutions?
God designed His church to be in a relationship with the
Savior of all lost souls who become redeemed: between Jesus and all the people
Jesus died for to pay the price for their sin and rose from the dead to free
them from sin. Church leaders on earth are supposed to love, lead, heal and
forgive like Jesus did. All Christians are part of the church and all are
submit to Jesus as Savior and Lord. We are all supposed to grow and learn to be
more like Jesus and serve the world in the way God designed us. None of this
allows for any type of relationship like that between Christian Grey and Ana.
There is supposed to be love, grace, peace, joy, kindness, gentleness,
patience, self-control, faithfulness, goodness exuding from Jesus’ followers
toward all people whether in the world or church leaders or church non-leaders.
There is no room for abuse given or received.
One more metaphor twist: The name Anastasia originates with
Greek etymology and carries the meaning "resurrection". For followers
of Jesus that points to the amazingly powerful reality that our hope and faith
will be fulfilled in Jesus.
Wake up Christians. The world is dark. It thinks in gray/grey
terms that everyone can determine their own morality. This is not true. Jesus
is the Light of the world. Jesus is The Truth. Jesus is hated by the world that
He loved so much that He died to save. Followers of Him are also hated by the
world which loves its sin and abuse of self and others.
The words of Jesus: Matthew 6: 22 “The eye is the lamp of
the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23
But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If
then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” What the world calls light Jesus calls darkness: lost in sin and a wrong view of good and evil.
There is no room in the world or church for grey Christians
and no Anastasias should ever be abused. Join The Light. Follow, serve, love
and worship Him: King Jesus.
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