A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
—Proverbs 31:10
etendtotakedatingforgranted.Howelsearemenandwomensupposedtoget
acquaintedorfindaspouse?However,“dating”asweknowittodaydidnotexistfor
mostof history.Itdidn’temergeinAmericauntilthemiddleof the20thcentury.Americans
oftenseedatingasawaytopromoteindividualchoiceinspouseselection.Butforpeople
whoseektolivealifemodeledafterJesus,datinghascreatedmanydilemmas.
This chapter briefly reviews the history and cultural variations of dating,as well as the
American perspective on dating.We also will explore the various stages of dating as they
relate to the differences between men and women.One of the consequences of the
American emphasis on dating is a dramatic increase in premarital sex.Thus,we will
examine the implications of contemporary sexuality in light of God’s plan for sex.Finally,
we will discuss the options of remaining single and not dating—which have become
increasingly popular choices among Christians.
Dating
Getting to Know You
W
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