A few years ago I realized love, sex, and relationship issues were going to be a major theme of my ministry with students. I read several Christian books on the topic because I wanted to see more than one perspective and look at new ways to explain the biblical principles.
I appreciate and recommend books that are true to biblical values without being legalistic. With that in mind, these three are the best I have read so far:
1. Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating (Richard and Sharon Phillips).
If I had to chose one book about Christian dating this would probably be it. It is co-authored by Richard and Sharon Phillips (you guessed it–husband and wife), a couple that has years of marriage experience and ministry to singles. This book is very balanced and practical while being completely faithful to biblical principles (sexual purity, wisdom, etc.).
2. Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart
(John Ensor)
Author John Ensor presents a “radically biblical alternative to the supposed wisdom of our age.” The strength of this book is the emphasis on male and female roles within relationships. Ensor starts with Genesis, looking at God’s original design for the family. He then applies these principles to dating.
3. Undressed: The Naked Truth about Love, Sex, and Dating
(Jason Illian)
Two things stood out to me while reading this book: 1. I appreciated reading something from the perspective of a single Christian guy–someone who had actually experienced dating, break-ups, etc. 2. Illian is really funny, and his sense of humor makes this book a very entertaining read.
Note: I’d highly recommend my books for those living here in the Philippines.
Hi Kevin,
What are your views on tatoos? I know there are a lot of Christians out there who came to Christ with tats on their body and no one should be condemned for that, but personally as a Christian, I feel that no one should allow a fellow created being to ‘mark’ our bodies, which was created by The Creator.(God the Father).I’m not even going into the images and words that tattoos express right now but, the only marks I was born with is a very distinctive green birthmark on my left wrist and scars I bear from a childhood operation. None of these marks occurred of my own volition.
We hear stories of the regret and shame of unfortunate body tattoos, and knowing that this choice is no cause for consignment to Hell, but what does the Bible say about marking your body. I know there are comments on cutting the hair and beard and wearing of certain adornments,but what’s your take?
Hi Cheryl,
Here’s a pretty good Youtube video on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VNFwlzQiuc