What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dating Dilemma
Boy meets girl.
Boy and girl go on romantic dates.
Boy and girl establish healthy boundaries, share their hearts and fall in love.
Boy buys ring.
Girl says, 'yes'.
Boy and girl get married ...
If only it was this simple! How do you recognize real love amidst the multitude of other things that go hand in hand with it: infatuation, lust, desperation, attraction, hate? How do you know if the person you are going out with is the person you should spend the rest of your life with? How easy is it to get it wrong?'
Rachel Gardner and Andre Adefope look at God's guidelines for romance. They ask the difficult questions, but they also ask how God helps us to change - how you can become a godly boyfriend: confident in who you are, supportive, worthy of respect; or a godly girlfriend: sure of yourself, able to nurture selflessness and generosity in relationships.
Boy and girl go on romantic dates.
Boy and girl establish healthy boundaries, share their hearts and fall in love.
Boy buys ring.
Girl says, 'yes'.
Boy and girl get married ...
If only it was this simple! How do you recognize real love amidst the multitude of other things that go hand in hand with it: infatuation, lust, desperation, attraction, hate? How do you know if the person you are going out with is the person you should spend the rest of your life with? How easy is it to get it wrong?'
Rachel Gardner and Andre Adefope look at God's guidelines for romance. They ask the difficult questions, but they also ask how God helps us to change - how you can become a godly boyfriend: confident in who you are, supportive, worthy of respect; or a godly girlfriend: sure of yourself, able to nurture selflessness and generosity in relationships.
- GenresChristian
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 21
9 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 16, 2020
An encouraging read ♥️
June 17, 2023
Perhaps OK but it's expectations of the reader are unrealistic. I found a lot of the views in this book to be outdated and starkly contrasting to its audience, a different generation entirely.
November 12, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was a really entertaining read and definitely give me plenty to think about during and after. I have always enjoyed Rachael Gardners writing and feel that she is a very easy person relate.
June 4, 2020
"A sign of a good relationship is that you both feel accepted for who you are, not for what you say or the good times you generate." P.105
November 26, 2016
This book contained sensible, level-headed guidance. The writing style is clear and understandable. Sound Biblically-warranted principles are given to guide Christians through right attitude and behaviour in relation to dating and relationships. Concepts of selflessness, activeness, patience, honour and faithfulness are magnified against our cultural backdrop of self-gratification, immediacy, personal preference and disregard for the other.
The use of personal testimonies from the authors and other Christians is mostly helpful. The probing, but honest self-examination questions are helpful.
I was less keen on an overly-self conscious effort to engage the 'yoof' which was demonstrated by the authors' liberal citation of 'yoof-friendly' paraphrases of Scripture. I personally don't believe young people are too stupid to understand a modern English translation, founded on the original Biblical languages. Even the use of the newer more gender inclusive language New International Version grated. I am a woman and I have never fainted yet over being addressed as a member of mankind. I find these aspects of the book a bit patronising. In addition, the paraphrased Bible versions can obscure meaning and insert anachronisms.
I also was not fond of some of the memes/ quotes from celebrities Christian or non. These were sometimes trite, rather than axiomatic.
The book is laced with a gracious flavour which is helpful, however, I sometimes found it weak on naming sin. To someone who is already mired in guilt and shame the language of 'mistake' rings hollow. To the self-righteous, they need the law to bring their self-delusion into view, like King David, when confronted by the prophet Nathan. Then the grace of God can be meaningfully and abundantly offered, through Christ Jesus our Lord, who died for us sinners.
The book also conveys a quiet understanding of God's guidance which includes extra-biblical revelation. These days I'm more comfortable with the concept of providence. This emphasis on God having said, x, y or z to individuals can be used to rationalise making unwise decisions, or sin.
Despite my caveats, I think this book could be useful in the context of Christian accountability relationships to prompt helpful reflection, discussion and prayerful transformation, in the realm of relationships.
The use of personal testimonies from the authors and other Christians is mostly helpful. The probing, but honest self-examination questions are helpful.
I was less keen on an overly-self conscious effort to engage the 'yoof' which was demonstrated by the authors' liberal citation of 'yoof-friendly' paraphrases of Scripture. I personally don't believe young people are too stupid to understand a modern English translation, founded on the original Biblical languages. Even the use of the newer more gender inclusive language New International Version grated. I am a woman and I have never fainted yet over being addressed as a member of mankind. I find these aspects of the book a bit patronising. In addition, the paraphrased Bible versions can obscure meaning and insert anachronisms.
I also was not fond of some of the memes/ quotes from celebrities Christian or non. These were sometimes trite, rather than axiomatic.
The book is laced with a gracious flavour which is helpful, however, I sometimes found it weak on naming sin. To someone who is already mired in guilt and shame the language of 'mistake' rings hollow. To the self-righteous, they need the law to bring their self-delusion into view, like King David, when confronted by the prophet Nathan. Then the grace of God can be meaningfully and abundantly offered, through Christ Jesus our Lord, who died for us sinners.
The book also conveys a quiet understanding of God's guidance which includes extra-biblical revelation. These days I'm more comfortable with the concept of providence. This emphasis on God having said, x, y or z to individuals can be used to rationalise making unwise decisions, or sin.
Despite my caveats, I think this book could be useful in the context of Christian accountability relationships to prompt helpful reflection, discussion and prayerful transformation, in the realm of relationships.
October 31, 2013
Good stuff, well thought-out and covering a wide range of subjects. It has a lot of discussion questions so could probably be used for getting young folk talking about dating - not sure how many teens would want to work through all the material provided on their own.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews