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Surviving Christianity Unmarried: A Theology of Singleness That Isn't Looking for Its Cure
200 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2025
3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2025
I first met Karissa Sovdi when she was in her early twenties. Even then, she struck me as one of the most gifted communicators I’d encountered—funny, articulate, creative, and wise beyond her years. Time has only deepened those qualities.
In Surviving Christianity Unmarried: A Theology of Singleness that isn’t Looking for its Cure Karissa addresses this often-overlooked topic with courage, wisdom, and spiritual depth—sprinkled with just the right amount of humor. Karissa gives voice to what many have been too afraid or ashamed to say, yet she does so with humility and humanity, creating space for listening, reflection, and repentance.
I celebrate the fresh, hard-won perspective Karissa brings and welcome the gentle challenge to re-examine long-held, though often well-intentioned, beliefs about singleness—especially within the body of Christ.
I had the privilege of witnessing a small part of her road to this book, and it’s a joy to see it finally in print. This work has the power to break chains—liberating individuals from cultural ideologies that aren’t biblically grounded and helping pastors and leaders reframe how they view and value singleness in the Church. As Karissa so powerfully puts it: “Singleness is not a problem to be solved. It is a life to be lived.”
There’s gold in these pages for everyone—singles, single-again individuals, married folks, pastors, parents, and friends. Many of Karissa’s insights apply to any relational season of life. Though I’m now married, I deeply resonate with her words: “I still sometimes hope for marriage, but my hope is no longer in marriage.” No matter our relationship status, our true hope must rest in our Lord and Savior.
Anyone who reads this book will be glad they did—and better for it. Karissa’s wisdom, honesty, and biblical clarity offer something rare and deeply needed in today’s Church. This is a message for all of us.
In Surviving Christianity Unmarried: A Theology of Singleness that isn’t Looking for its Cure Karissa addresses this often-overlooked topic with courage, wisdom, and spiritual depth—sprinkled with just the right amount of humor. Karissa gives voice to what many have been too afraid or ashamed to say, yet she does so with humility and humanity, creating space for listening, reflection, and repentance.
I celebrate the fresh, hard-won perspective Karissa brings and welcome the gentle challenge to re-examine long-held, though often well-intentioned, beliefs about singleness—especially within the body of Christ.
I had the privilege of witnessing a small part of her road to this book, and it’s a joy to see it finally in print. This work has the power to break chains—liberating individuals from cultural ideologies that aren’t biblically grounded and helping pastors and leaders reframe how they view and value singleness in the Church. As Karissa so powerfully puts it: “Singleness is not a problem to be solved. It is a life to be lived.”
There’s gold in these pages for everyone—singles, single-again individuals, married folks, pastors, parents, and friends. Many of Karissa’s insights apply to any relational season of life. Though I’m now married, I deeply resonate with her words: “I still sometimes hope for marriage, but my hope is no longer in marriage.” No matter our relationship status, our true hope must rest in our Lord and Savior.
Anyone who reads this book will be glad they did—and better for it. Karissa’s wisdom, honesty, and biblical clarity offer something rare and deeply needed in today’s Church. This is a message for all of us.
September 12, 2025
4.5. Clever, thoughtful, compassionate, clear. I've read a lot on this topic, and while the ideas were not new to me, the book itself was refreshing and enjoyable. I'd recommend it for believers who are single and for believers in community with singles!
August 4, 2025
Surviving Christianity Unmarried is a book that reframes how we view singleness—not as a waiting room for real life, but as meaningful and God-given in its own right.
The author writes with a great blend of vulnerability, strength, and humour, making theological truths feel personal and accessible. This book elevates the status of being single, not as a consolation prize, but as a life with its own value, purpose, and joy—focusing not on what we lack, but on what Jesus is inviting us into for the sake of His kingdom.
It also paints a bigger, richer picture of friendship and community, which is a perspective that is often missing in our day.
I would recommend this book not only to those who have felt overlooked in the church because of their relationship status, but also to those who want to grow as disciples of Jesus—whether single or married. It’s for anyone who wants to better understand the value of singleness, support others well, and deepen their vision of friendship, community, and kingdom purpose.
The author writes with a great blend of vulnerability, strength, and humour, making theological truths feel personal and accessible. This book elevates the status of being single, not as a consolation prize, but as a life with its own value, purpose, and joy—focusing not on what we lack, but on what Jesus is inviting us into for the sake of His kingdom.
It also paints a bigger, richer picture of friendship and community, which is a perspective that is often missing in our day.
I would recommend this book not only to those who have felt overlooked in the church because of their relationship status, but also to those who want to grow as disciples of Jesus—whether single or married. It’s for anyone who wants to better understand the value of singleness, support others well, and deepen their vision of friendship, community, and kingdom purpose.
July 23, 2025
How I wish I had this book thirty-five years ago! It could have joined the small collection of Christian classics that sustained, encouraged, exhorted and inspired me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus rather than circumstances. The author’s insights regarding life as a single person in the church also suggest practices that could be encouragements for those without faith who struggle with not being married. ‘Singled Out’ is well-written, often humorous, containing a sprinkling of personal anecdotes which will resonate with the ‘single’ reader. Her thoughtful examination of the state of singleness within the culture of the church does not shy away from hard issues, such as sexual purity, but explores them through a fresh biblical lens. This book is a tour de force, not a how to manual. It is not a life jacket for the despairing Christian single but a warm, strong hand that, when grasped, leads one back to the solid Rock with a new understanding of just how amazing God’s plan is for each of us.
August 10, 2025
Karissa's voice is much-needed and incredibly refreshing. Where other books on singleness can often fixate on the challenges of living alone or offer coupledom as the only viable solution, Karissa’s message is one that celebrates fullness of life granted by a loving God (regardless of marital status). Her book is full of insight and hope - and she is not afraid to take on the messy realities that face those living in and around the single life.
She is practical, witty and a wonderful companion on the road when sorting out how to live in the context of a world that seems fixated on romantic partnership.
She is practical, witty and a wonderful companion on the road when sorting out how to live in the context of a world that seems fixated on romantic partnership.
August 4, 2025
With humour and vulnerability, Karrisa Sovdi brings both validation and celebration of a single life. She confronts the marriage-centric ideological bubble of the modern church that often leaves people feeling isolated. Instead of suggesting ways to prepare for an inevitable spouse, she gently challenges the long-held view that everyone should marry and asks, “What if the church could foster a theology of singleness that doesn’t look for a cure?” A brilliant read for both those embracing a single life (voluntarily or not) and those who are married.
July 31, 2025
I honestly don’t think we have enough books for single Christian people. I’m so glad Karissa Sovdi wrote this one.
I’m a single man—and yes, this book was written by a woman (the horror). But… WOW! The way she tackles loneliness, desire, friendship, and mission is so deeply honest and biblically grounded, I found myself underlining entire paragraphs.
She doesn’t offer clichés. She offers honesty and hope.
The chapter on friendship had me rethinking the lack of emotional connection so many men carry. The section on sex and celibacy? Tender and theological (which is rare). And the reminder that our mission isn’t on hold until marriage? That hit my heart in a needed way.
“While we’re busy pursuing happy endings, God is inviting us into a life that will never end.”
I’ll admit—I was worried this might be another “men are the problem” book, or one that says it’s just better to stay single forever because of that. But no. This is about living a full, Jesus-centered life right now.
If you’re single and tired of Christian platitudes, this might be the book you’ve been waiting for.
I’m a single man—and yes, this book was written by a woman (the horror). But… WOW! The way she tackles loneliness, desire, friendship, and mission is so deeply honest and biblically grounded, I found myself underlining entire paragraphs.
She doesn’t offer clichés. She offers honesty and hope.
The chapter on friendship had me rethinking the lack of emotional connection so many men carry. The section on sex and celibacy? Tender and theological (which is rare). And the reminder that our mission isn’t on hold until marriage? That hit my heart in a needed way.
“While we’re busy pursuing happy endings, God is inviting us into a life that will never end.”
I’ll admit—I was worried this might be another “men are the problem” book, or one that says it’s just better to stay single forever because of that. But no. This is about living a full, Jesus-centered life right now.
If you’re single and tired of Christian platitudes, this might be the book you’ve been waiting for.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews