Sex, Dating, and Relationships

I have read a few dating books over the years, but many of them don't actually touch on the topic of 'dating' - they focus on the lead-up to dating and then marriage, but as a single Christian in the 21st century, that is often less than helpful. This book touches on various topics within the realm of dating and made me think about things that I wouldn't have otherwise considered. I would highly recommend this to both people in relationships, as well as those who aren't.

\\r\\n\\r\\nThis book challenges the cultural norms of society when it comes to dating and relationships to give a fresh approach on the matter, using the Bible as their basis. \\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\nHiestand and Thomas introduce the foundations of the relationships that the Bible teaches and utilises this to teach the audience how we can all maintain purity in pre-marital relationships. They reveal what these Biblical relationships entail, highlighting the flaws of the current dating relationship of our society today. Finally, they give their recommendation of the correct way to finding a spouse in our society today. \\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\nI would recommend this book to any christian who is currently looking for a spouse, is in a current dating relationship, or has been in a dating relationship in the past, and is helpful for all Christians in their walk of life and striving for purity.

One of the great problems with understanding dating from a Christian point of view is the absence of any reference to such a thing in the New Testament. This book presents a convincing argument as to why Christians ought to push back against such a category of relationships (dating) and instead build relationships of absolute purity until marriage. \\r\\nUnfortunately, the clear and reasonable argument of the book is lost when Hiestand and Thomas come to present their alternative vision of how Christians might find a spouse. Their proposal of 'dating friendships' doesn't seem to account for how either emotions or culture functions in deciding on a marriage partner so doesn't offer the protection or security they imagine it does. I appreciated their passion for holiness in the process of building a relationship towards marriage but I think we're still looking for the book that explains how Christians might do that well.

This book easily goes against modern conventional thinking of sex, dating and relationships. \\r\\n\\r\\nBy rooting itself in the biblical truths, Hiestand and Thomas effectively shows us what, why and how to uphold God's original plan for marriage. \\r\\n\\r\\nWould highly recommend you buying it, reading it and passing it on.

This is a brilliant book on the topic of (as per title) sex, dating and relationships. \\r\\nThe authors establish a biblical based approach to the topic, beginning by explicitly showing the link between gospel and sex. This book shows how biblical understanding about different type of relationships should inform how we should date. \\r\\nParticularly helpful, is that this book isn't overly prescriptive or legalistic on what is 'right' or 'wrong', but instead it sets a biblical framework for the readers to follow and make decisions off. Additionally,\\r\\nthe authors thoughtfully include a chapter on maintaining sexual purity on a broader level than dating, and a chapter devoted on a biblical approach to singleness. \\r\\n\\r\\nI personally haven't read too many books on dating, but this is definitely now my go-to book recommendation on the topic. Gospel centered and biblically based. . definitely worth a read.