Boy Meets Girl : Say Hello to Courtship
Author:
Genres: Health, Fitness & Dieting, Parenting & Relationships, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Health, Fitness & Dieting, Parenting & Relationships, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
Helpful Score: 11
I read this book before I was engaged, again when I was engaged, and again when I was married. It is very obvious that theologically, Joshua Harris is well on the reformed side, so there is a heavy dose of predestination in his thoughts on "choosing" your mate. I enjoyed this book mainly because I enjoy reading anything that glorifies God in our families and our lives, and that is what the author seeks to do. But I was never completely comfortable with this book, because it seems to make a lot of rules and regulations seem "spiritual" and even "biblical," but from personal experience, those rules did not play out in my own (wonderful, God-seeking) journey towards marriage. There are lots of good things to think about, but also a lot of things that can easily confuse.
For example, I don't agree at all (and especially not in the last nerve-wracking months before my marriage) that an engaged couple shouldn't even talk about sex until after the alter. However, Joshua writes it as positively sinful to even think about such a discussion- which, even though I was firm in my own mind, caused twinges of doubt about a healthy and necessary discussion I needed to have with my (then) fiance. This is just one example, but he spends a lot of time dwelling on details like these that make it seem almost impossible to have a "Godly courtship" (in his painting of the term). People who are truly seeking God, but don't fall exactly in line with his tight definitions, simply don't need the guilt trip.
Ultimately, I think the point of the book was that God can be trusted, even in your wait for a spouse. Honor Him, seek counsel, don't rush, and, in your relationships, honor the person, and your future marriage, by being intentional and pure. Good message, I do recommend this book if anyone is looking for encouragement or ideas in their view of the relationships which lead to marriage.
For example, I don't agree at all (and especially not in the last nerve-wracking months before my marriage) that an engaged couple shouldn't even talk about sex until after the alter. However, Joshua writes it as positively sinful to even think about such a discussion- which, even though I was firm in my own mind, caused twinges of doubt about a healthy and necessary discussion I needed to have with my (then) fiance. This is just one example, but he spends a lot of time dwelling on details like these that make it seem almost impossible to have a "Godly courtship" (in his painting of the term). People who are truly seeking God, but don't fall exactly in line with his tight definitions, simply don't need the guilt trip.
Ultimately, I think the point of the book was that God can be trusted, even in your wait for a spouse. Honor Him, seek counsel, don't rush, and, in your relationships, honor the person, and your future marriage, by being intentional and pure. Good message, I do recommend this book if anyone is looking for encouragement or ideas in their view of the relationships which lead to marriage.
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