The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility by Ray Ortlund. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021. pp. 144. $16.99. Paperback.
There’s no shortage today of books available on the topic of pornography, especially from Christian sources. It is without a doubt the scourge of Western society the past 50 years or so. Enter Ray Ortlund’s The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility. This book, which targets men explicitly, provides a refreshing and welcome take on overcoming pornography. It’s not a rule list or a bunch of “best practices,” but it captures the essence of Scripture and the heart of Jesus toward this topic in a most unique way. While this may not be the book readers who struggle with pornography are seeking, it is absolutely the book men need.
Ray Ortlund’s book is excellent and no mere self-help guide. Sure, it’ll definitely help you, but the book is presented in the most winsome way imaginable, and what’s likely the most effective way it can be delivered. It’s undeniably Christian, but not in a way that comes off “preachy.” It’s written as a series of letters and with the tone of a father to a son, which is inviting considering the readers are likely already ladened with guilt and shame, and the gentle yet firm paternal approach works well. He emphasizes nobility and dignity as the book title alludes. To address these two virtues, Ortlund pulls back the covers on the dark and hidden aspects of porn and points readers to a higher calling of treating people, including porn participants, with great worth. This is all meant to be done as citizens in Christ’s service.
Moreover, Ray strikes just the right balance in his message by emphasizing both a holy standard and compassionate, awe-inspiring grace. Yet it’s done unconventionally compared to other writings on the same topic. His writing has the right level of transparency, too. It’s enough transparency to grasp that he is a sexual sinner but not enough to be salacious or to express hopelessness.
Ray also does a great job relating to his audience. For example, his discourse is not littered with fanciful words nor complex exegesis of Scripture to drive home biblical points. Instead, readers are met with clear, direct, and helpful fatherly encouragement. To this point of relating to his readers, Ray also writes with a rather transparent feel, using his own life failures to make his points more relatable. In one particularly notable instance, he recounts a time in his youth when he was regrettably passive concerning another young lady being sexualized and treated as less than someone of dignity and worth. Lastly on being relatable, Ortlund ends his letters, not with “Dr. Raymond C. Ortlund Jr, pastor and theologian,” but with a simple “Ray.” This lets the book read as though the author had been friends with his readers for years, which is helpful in addressing this uncomfortable topic.
Overall, I strongly recommend any man struggling with porn or sexual sin to read this book. Though focused on male struggles, as evident from the title, there may be tips that can be valuable for female readers. The information, while unlikely to be of direct aid, can certainly help a wife, mother, sister, or friend gain insight on the topic if interacting with a man entangled in porn. The book is a great read (and the audiobook is especially impactful as it’s read by the author, who seems to have a voice audio). The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility has had a profound impact on my life and changed the way I see pornography and the opposite sex in general. It’s effective, provides a fresh perspective on this topic, and outlines the vantage point needed for men to find both freedom from porn and rest for their souls.