Jesus loves porn stars.

The American Bible Society has cancelled an order of New Testaments to be handed out at adult entertainment conventions. The reason? The covers of the Bibles, made by XXXChurch, said in bold letters "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" and the Society deemed them "misleading and inappropriate for a New Testament."

The American Bible Society is refusing to print New Testaments with covers that say "Jesus Loves Porn Stars."

California pastors Mike Foster and Craig Gross, whose anti-porn ministry is called www.xxxchurch.com, had ordered 10,000 of the customized Bibles to hand out at adult film conventions.

But the edgy cover led the publisher to cancel the paid order.

The American Bible Society said that while it appreciates the pastors' mission, the words "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" are "misleading and inappropriate for a New Testament."

Obviously, there is a conflict between mission theologies: can the Gospel go into places deemed "dirty" and remain spotless? Can a Christ of Culture lead persons to Christ without Culture diminishing Christ's significance?

Some more links for your...uh...pleasure:

LINK: XXXChurch blog
LINK: XXXChurch extended article (.pdf)

It is ironic to me that a culture that presses the Bible into everything political negates the impact of Jesus the Christ in the cultural taboos of the world. It seems as if in the areas of abstract notions of 'doctrine' and 'policy' that the Bible is very relevant, but in the areas of impact and meeting culture on their level...well, someone needs to keep Jesus' sheets clean.

I haven't actually seen these bibles, but given XXXChurch's reputation, I would expect equal parts acceptance of the person with condemnation of their job with the tools to change. That's the goal of XXXChurch after all...to transform lives away from the adult industry into new creations in Christ.

Because that's just it. JESUS LOVES PORN STARS. Jesus LOVES everyone! I think all of Christianity can get in line with that on the basic level. What we differ on is what that love looks like. Is it a 'tough love' of that Jesus will love you if you change? Is it an empowering love of Jesus loves you and wants more for you? Is it somewhere in between?

What do you think? Is Jesus clean enough to go where it is dirty? Is the New Testament wrapped in language that is shocking appropriate? Is this a slippery slope to Jesus advertising thongs that are "Good enough for a Savior"?

Discuss.