WHY A BOOK LIKE THIS for a Christian Library?
A recent survey of Christians attending church indicated that 25 men and 10 women out of a hundred adults admitted to struggling with porn. Tim Chester’s purpose in writing his book is to help especially those who need to win their battle with porn, but he, also, desires to assist those wishing to help someone involved in porn. He warns the reader that porn is intriguing and entering into this to assist others presents a danger. He encourages the reader to listen to Paul’s warning in Galatians 6:1 that in helping a believer overcome a sin, be careful not to fall into the same sin.
If you preach the gospel in all aspects with the exception of the issues that deal specifically with your time, you are not preaching the gospel at all. —Luther
In his introduction Tim Chester addresses what he calls the “epidemic of pornography” today. He attributes it to two factors; 1)” an increasing permissive attitude in our society “ and 2) “ the acceleration of porn comes in the form of new technologies that can deliver porn into the home.”
He quotes psychologist, Dr. Alvin Cooper talking about the “the triple-A engine” that drives cybersex: Accessibility, Anonymity and Affordability. Tim Chester quotes Martin Luther when expressing the need to talk about porn in the church with words Luther was reported to have said, “If you preach the gospel in all aspects with the exception of the issues that deal specifically with your time, you are not preaching the gospel at all.”
Throughout the book five key ingredients are addressed: abhorrence of porn, adoration of God, assurance of grace, avoidance of temptation, and accountability to others. The author very clearly presents what porn is and does when he lists the TWELVE REASONS TO GIVE UP PORN. In this section he encourages the reader to look at Proverbs 5. The entire book draws us away from the world view of sex and marriage seen through the eyes of porn to look at how God can and has freed us. To God belongs the glory.
The conclusion gives us a summary review of the five key ingredients with questions for reflection, and David’s Psalm 51 for confession. The NOTES section at the back of the book gives you resources, authors and books for further reading.
Closing the Window-Steps to Living Porn Free By Tim Chester
Publishing Information: InterVarsity Press, PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426 (Permission from Inter-Varsity Press, Nottingham, England)
Reviewer: Elsa Manthey
Review Date: February 2017