Christian Dating in a Godless World

by Thomas G. Morrow

In these pages, Fr. Thomas Morrow, author of the best-selling book, Overcoming Sinful Anger, offers a practical guide to dating in a secular world.

He explores a range of dating issues including choosing Mr. or Miss Right, the four meanings of love, how to have a warm but chaste relationship, the goodness of affection, modesty, restoring the dignity of women, and how to overcome the most common problems with communication.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity, Faith, Religion, Relationships

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Rev. Thomas G. Morrow graduated from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, and was ordained in 1982 for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. He has a Licentiate in Moral Theology (S.T.L.) from the Dominican House of Studies, and in 1999, earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

Fr. Morrow was host for three years (1989-1992) of Catholic Faith Alive!, a DC radio program on which he explained the Catholic faith. He has been a guest on the Eternal Word Television Network’s (EWTN) Mother Angelica Live and The Abundant Life. Fr. Morrow has also published many articles in Homiletics and Pastoral Review, Emmanuel, Fidelity, New Covenant, Our Sunday Visitor, Lay Witness, and The Catholic Standard.

Fr. Morrow is founder of the St. Lawrence Society, which is for single young adult men seeking spiritual growth, and the St. Catherine Society, the female counterpart to the St. Lawrence Society.

Reviews

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step aside Jason Evert, THIS is the best book I’ve read on dating in a looooong time. Rev. Morrow ACTUALLY takes the time not only to go through the basics of chastity, but also the importance of chaste physical affection and how to know when it’s gone too far. Aside from the physical, this book delves into all the other practical aspects of a good dating relationship and leaves you feeling as though it’s still possible today. 👍🏼👍🏼👏🏼

[Paco Josemaria P.]

Good amount of practical advice, especially in the latter half.

[Leonardo Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book that combines assertive information with moral richness, challenging our culture in a convincing and encouraging way. So many aspects of this topic have been lost over time that we need to relearn them, and this book contributes effectively to that.

Some say it is too pragmatic and lacks spirituality. In reality, it teaches a cultural response—a "counterculture"—that fosters spiritual growth in Christian relationships. Still, this "counterculture" is so ambitious and so closely linked to the essence of spiritual relationships that reflecting on it can be more fulfilling than reading many other "spiritual" books on the subject.

This is a very comprehensive book, but its strenght lies in its criteria and steps for courtship, so that it does not result in something hasty, and its analysis of the four loves from C. S. Lewis—particularly στοργή ("storge") its healthy role, which should not to be confused with eroticism.

Naturally, it reflects some aspects of American culture, but nothing that diverges significantly from broader Western cultural values.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fr. Morrow has a lot of opinions and he gives them to ya straight, which I appreciated. It made for an easy read. I don’t agree with everything in this book. However, a good portion wasn’t just opinion but had very good Catholic reasoning behind it and those things gave me more food for thought. Honestly? I enjoyed it! Although I still think the cover is terrible

[Joey Clavette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic and obvious stuff. I have been longing for some deeper stuff on the subject but it's hard to find. Something like Christopher West but on the subject of dating is very much needed, I think.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting at the same time.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for young adults who are striving towards a Christian relationship.

[João Maia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Raramente costumo dar menos de três estrelas quando avalio um livro. Ainda assim, sinto-me forçado a fazê-lo desta vez devido ao conteúdo deste livro. Começo por elogiar dois pequenos pontos que me parecem positivos. Ao falar do papel do sacerdote no acompanhamento de casais e na questão do aborto, o autor procura o equilíbrio assente na caridade pastoral e no cuidado pelo outro, base do que é o amor cristão. Contudo, este cuidado e esta positiva e estruturada mensagem parecem desvanecer-se no ar quando passamos para os temas quotidianos que marcam a vida dos namorados. Numa posição de romantismo desligado da realidade o autor oferece banalidades como resposta a problemas difíceis, sejam eles a vivência da continência sexual, sejam eles as dificuldades relacionais (ciúmes, medos, ansiedades e paixões). É precisamente por isso que me vejo na obrigação de avaliar negativamente este livro, não o recomendando a ninguém que acompanhe casais de namorados.

[Maria Francisca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gostaria que existisse a possibilidade de conceder uma avaliação de 3,5 estrelas.
É um livro de leitura fácil, que aborda o tema do namoro casto na sociedade de hoje em dia.
O autor fundamenta muito bem todos os seus pontos de vista, dizendo o que se deve (ou não se deve) fazer num namoro cristão de uma forma direta. Esclarece muitas das dúvidas que diversos cristãos têm acerca do namoro, recorrendo, também, a experiências reais conhecidas pelo Sr. Padre.
Não dou as 4 estrelas, porque discordamos em certos pontos de vista (como por exemplo, o facto de o autor achar que o mais correto para uma mãe é o de se ocupar com a educação dos filhos, e só arranjar emprego quando estes forem mais velhos).
Apesar disto, reconheço que é um bom livro e que nos ensina muito acerca do que Deus quer num namoro.

[Nitin Rai]

Christian Dating in a Godless World is a great book to read if you're currently dating someone or planning to. Apparently, this book has been very well written by a Catholic Priest who not only shares his experience with the present dating culture in today's broken world but also shares some of the things he has observed over the years in married/unmarried couples who used to visit him for counseling. I would recommend this book to all the concerned readers of this topic. There are several do's and don'ts in most of the chapters of this book which are written with biblical verses in mind. When you read it, be open to the thoughts that this book has to offer rather than clinging to your own notions regarding dating in this godless culture.

[Dafne Flego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pristupila sam ovom djelu kao podsjetniku, uvjerena da već sve znam, ali neće biti zgorega prisjetiti se...

Nisam očekivala da ću naići na meni nove, (pr)osvjetljujuće uvide ili na osvježavajuće kutove gledanja, ali eto... Naravno, stigli su pravovremeno (... khm... khm... slučajnost). :P

Djelo jest 20 godina staro, i to se osjeti pri autorovu davanju konkretno provedivih savjeta (predloženi "dijalozi" zvuče neprirodno i neuvjerljivo), ali ono svevremeno ostaje svevremeno.

Poprilično sveobuhvatan vodič. Za katolike. ;)

[Adam Carrico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about the need for, and the possibility of, a revolution of chastity and Christian dating in our society. I am certain you will be hearing more about this! Please know that I am open to any questions this topic might elicit.

The book also goes by the title Christian Dating: In a Godless World

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read lots of books on this topic, so I didn't expect anything new. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this author really gets into the nitty gritty of how to make good Catholic Christian courtship work. Highly recommended. (One drawback - This was written around 2003, so some of the suggestions for sources of meeting people are out of date.)

[Beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to learn about love, relationships, marriage, in a Christian mindset. I think overall it would be good for anyone to read as it shares very good and necessary values for a successful relationship and marriage. Values that have been lost over time and make it so much harder to find a right partner for life.

[João Pedro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. It have some really good and very toughtful ideas but it has others ideas that wanted me to stop reading the book, because they were really old school.
But an overall I liked the book and I would recommend it to everyone that wants to have a better insight of what the christian church thinks about sexuality and that stuff!

[Logan Corral · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and inspiring book! I would recommend it to anyone looking to start or maintain a holy and chaste relationship in today's society. Really, really great practical points and ideas of how it is even possible. This book has completely revolutionized the way I intend to approach the dating scene! Huge thanks to Fr. Morrow for this truly wonderful gift.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I would cringe at this book, but I ended up really liking it instead. I recommend it for any Catholic Christian couples, or singles who would like to be in a relationship! It was very insightful and made so much sense!

[Bruna Bacelar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melhor livro sobre namoro Cristão que li. Conselhos diretos, práticos e muito retos. Exemplos reais e ilustrativos. Linguagem acessível e bem escrito. Além de capítulos curtos divididos em pequenos subtopicos, tornando o livro mais fácil de ser digerido.

[Meredith Hooten · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were good points, and there were weird points. Overall I agree that we shouldn't date like the world, but the book wasn't particularly enjoyable to read, and I thought him being so far removed from dating made him a not-so-great author at certain times.

[Wayne Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good entry point into what is important in relationships.

[Olawale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical and relatable book.

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read, some things seemed out of date but for the most part I enjoyed the ideas and inspo

[Val Gal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some pretty hot takes but overall would recommend

[Maggie_Gosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny, very practical, very Catholic

[Bruno Freire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recomendo fortemente este livro para os católicos que procuram viver um namoro reto.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to begin thinking about relationships. I found the tone a bit paternal even condescending at times, however there is a lot of wisdom in it. The chapter on communication is excellent. I think the proposed "Friendship dating" is a really great way to proceed but it requires good communication.

[Marjolein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I have read a revised edition. In any case the book makes interesting reading. In my opinion rules allow for exceptions; sometimes the author may seem to be a bit too strict. Be that as it may, it is guide written with honesty and clarity.

[Gabriel Dannemiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! It is a wonderful book for young couples looking for guidance on how to carry on a happy and holy dating relationship in our world today. Highly Recommended!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 *'s but for all the wrong reasons :D

[Gaby · Rating 1 out of 5]

A must read for every teenager!!!

Excellent book that should be read by every young Catholic!! Male and female. Also great for parents with teens and young adults.