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Many Christians fear singlehood as a
lost opportunity for sexual intimacy.But
Christians who are committed to celibacy
find sexuality is much more than having
sex.McMinn,a sociology professor at
Wheaton College,(2004) says“unmarried
people uniquely reflect God’s inclusive,
expansive,open love of others.”Learning
to live with the cultural challenges of
singleness,including the natural longing
for sexual intimacy,can bring one into a
deeper dependency on God.

Chapter 4

American cultureseemstopromote

theidea of a“datinggame.”In thismind-

set,datingparticipantsarenot somuch

concernedabout theintrinsic valueof

oneanother,but aremoreinterestedin

what they can get from therelationship.

Thoseinvolvedin a datingrelationship

faceincrediblepressurestoconform to

theimagesthey seein filmsandtelevision

programs.Moreemphasisisgiven to

weddingplansthan topreparation for

thecomplex,hardwork of marriage.

Music lyrics,books,andtheInternet

endorsepremaritalsex.Toooften,

however,the“freedom”of premaritalsex

hasa heavy price—sexually transmitted

diseases,unplannedpregnancies,and

emotionalpain.

TheChurchcanconfronttheseissuesby

offeringteensandsingleadultsChristian

alternativestothedatinggame.Group

activitiesinsulateyoungpeoplefromthe

dangersofisolationandcancultivatemore

honest,meaningfulrelationships.The

Christianabstinencemovementhashada

profoundsocioculturalimpact,somuchso,

thatitisbeingimitatedandpromotedby

seculargroupsaroundthecountry.While

helpingtoeducateandenlightenyoung

peopleaboutbiblicalprinciplesand

marriage,theChurchmustalsoteachand

supportthetruththatthechoicetoremain

singleisaviablebiblicaloption.

A Christian Perspective

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A dating hiatus can give one time to

reflect on yourself, your relationships

and your walk with God.