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The Significance of Singleness: A Theological Vision for the Future of the Church
The church needs to do a better job of speaking theologically to single Christians. Challenging prevailing evangelical assumptions about "the problem" of singleness, this book explains why the church needs single people and offers a contemporary theology of singleness relevant to all members of the church. Drawing on the examples of three important figures from the history of Christianity, the book helps today's church form a vision of life in the kingdom of God that is as theologically significant for single people as it is for those who are married.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2018
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649 people want to read
About the author
Christina S. Hitchcock
1 book5 followersChristina S. Hitchcock (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of theology at the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she has taught for more than fifteen years. Her current research focuses on the intersection of theology and culture.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 11, 2018
Christina Hitchcock, who is no longer single herself, attempts to provide a theology for singleness for 21st century Evangelicals. While she is correct that 20th and 21st century Evangelical leaders encourage marriage, she may be drawing conclusions in their attitudes toward singles with which the leaders themselves would challenge. Certainly many singles are lonely and friendless in churches. They can't be friends with married members of the opposite sex without being accused of trying to come between the person and spouse. They can't be friends with members of their own sex in the 21st century without people wondering if they are homosexual. People automatically assume a relationship if befriending a single member of the opposite sex. It's a lose-lose-lose situation all around. Hitchcock upholds three historic women as "role models"--Macrina, Perpetua, and Lottie Moon. Hitchcock's entire theology seems to be based on her idea that single people are called to serve God in a more profound way. Everyone is called to serve God--not just single people. Not all single people are called to be missionaries. Her use of the ancient saints fails to add anything to her argument as most Evangelical readers lack familiarity with the figures--and even her efforts to introduce them do not particularly make the readers want to be like them. It's unfortunate the book was written for an academic audience. The laity of the church needs to be reminded single people are human. Churches quit trying to minister to singles. Many of them simply encourage them to go into classes composed primarily of married persons. The lonely single remains lonely because the couples gravitate toward each other, failing to include the single. Secondly, the author fails to acknowledge the range of singles. Some have never been married--and that number is on the rise. Some are divorced. Among the divorced, some have children and some do not. Some are widowed. Ministering to single people is difficult because of the variety of ages and causes for the singleness. Her singleness theology is only geared toward the "single, never married" crowd. I was hopeful this book might contain something that will help the church minister to the needs of a diverse group of singles. Instead, I suspect we'll continue to see the church missing on opportunities to minister to this group and to see the number of single persons in churches dwindle in spite of a growing demographic. I received an electronic copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.
February 4, 2024
This first chapter of this book should be read by every pastor and Christian. I kept underling and wanting to shout "Yes! This is what I have been trying to tell people" Because Hitchcock addresses the underlying problem for singles in the church is the way the church as slapped a Christian veneer and "biblical principles" to secular ideas of sex, sexuality, and identity. In order to reshape how the church views singleness, they need a fundamental shift in how they view these issues and return to a biblical understanding.
After the first chapter, I felt like the book quickly lost steam. It wasn't that there wasn't anything to say, but I do think the wrong format was chosen to convey the points. Hitchcock is a gifted wordsmith who did a great job conveying truths in the chapter. She chose in the three following chapters to use the lives of women in church history to make a point.
With the first one, it worked pretty well. With he second woman she completely derailed the book trying to explain/justify the church baptism practice of the time (she should have just used it to make her point and push the issue for other people to deal with). The chapter about Lottie Moon really just felt like a short biography and I wondered why no points were being made. Basically, I think Hitchcock picked a poor format. She should have just expressed her thoughts like she did in the first chapter because that's where she shone.
However, whatever the flaws of this book and some odd stories included, the basic premise and points were excellent and worth reading. If nothing else, I really hope people will read chapter 1 and ponder it.
Content notes: Sex is talked about in general terms a lot. nakedness is mentioned in both sexual and non-sexual terms. All of this is done in a frank, respectful way that didn't feel dirty and was appropriate for the type of book. Younger/sensitive readers should be aware before reading.
After the first chapter, I felt like the book quickly lost steam. It wasn't that there wasn't anything to say, but I do think the wrong format was chosen to convey the points. Hitchcock is a gifted wordsmith who did a great job conveying truths in the chapter. She chose in the three following chapters to use the lives of women in church history to make a point.
With the first one, it worked pretty well. With he second woman she completely derailed the book trying to explain/justify the church baptism practice of the time (she should have just used it to make her point and push the issue for other people to deal with). The chapter about Lottie Moon really just felt like a short biography and I wondered why no points were being made. Basically, I think Hitchcock picked a poor format. She should have just expressed her thoughts like she did in the first chapter because that's where she shone.
However, whatever the flaws of this book and some odd stories included, the basic premise and points were excellent and worth reading. If nothing else, I really hope people will read chapter 1 and ponder it.
Content notes: Sex is talked about in general terms a lot. nakedness is mentioned in both sexual and non-sexual terms. All of this is done in a frank, respectful way that didn't feel dirty and was appropriate for the type of book. Younger/sensitive readers should be aware before reading.
October 13, 2018
This book is theologically robust and beautifully written. I can't recommend it enough.
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May 11, 2020I really loved reading this book with my team which is made up of both single, engaged, and married people. We were all very challenged in different ways and recognized how we all can idolize marriage in some fashion due to false theology and the way that the church so praises married people and treats marriage as the ultimate sign of maturity for the Christian. While I do appreciate this book and would recommend it to others, I assumed by the title that this book wouldn't only focus on women in ministry but at some point bring attention to men and singleness/ministry as well. The book greatly lacks that.
August 7, 2019
Review to come. (Teaser: I’m still wobbling on the eschatological teeter-totter between the creation and the kingdom, nature and grace, already and not yet, the goodness of marriage and the eternity of singleness.)
August 4, 2021
I got this from Netgalley to review.
There is a lot to unpack here. First, yes, the Church does need to better understand how its focus on marriage and placing so much stock in the value of any human based on a human relationship has created a lot of strife and missed opportunities. Second, while I agree with much of what Hitchcock presents in regards to how the church views and treats those who are single, as a 40 something single Christian, I think that she, too, has somewhat missed the mark in that she makes a good argument for the need of non-married church members, but she doesn't really understand the significance of being single. This may be due largely to the fact that she is not, in fact, single (she admits this from the start, though she was single into her late 20s, early 30s). I found that the three examples she used were shaky, at best, for highlighting singleness (with Miss Moon being the most solid and convincing case). The middle example had less to do with being single and more to do with not recanting (and we have no idea how long she was single, how she because single, etc). Without knowing if her faith caused her singleness (she had an infant child), her singleness becomes irrelevant to her story. And with only three examples, having one be irrelevant deters greatly from your argument. The fact that Hitchcock equates singleness with celibacy (understandable, given the over arching view of the wider Church), and that there was still the undertone of "single people have more time to devote to the faith", made this argument not quite as convincing as it might have been. (Note, single people, especially single women, while they may not have immediate responsibilities of child rearing, tend to have the added responsibility of providing for themselves and taking care of running a household alone. This translates, in my experience, to less time and less resources overall because you have only one income and one labor, instead of maybe one and two or two and two. The simple idea that not having a child or a spouse frees up insane amounts of time is absurd and false. Not to mention I've known many a married soul who had lots of time to devote to the faith because they had so much more support from a spouse and other family, etc).
Overall, worth a read, and I hope that it may spur the church on to realize that pushing the marriage agenda and sidelining the singles, not making sure they are included as a vital and wholly legit part of the Church is not doing it any favors. But if looking for something that might help the single (who may or may not be happy with their singleness, may not have chosen it, may wish to change it, struggles with it, etc) feel like there is significance...it didn't really give me much in that regard.
There is a lot to unpack here. First, yes, the Church does need to better understand how its focus on marriage and placing so much stock in the value of any human based on a human relationship has created a lot of strife and missed opportunities. Second, while I agree with much of what Hitchcock presents in regards to how the church views and treats those who are single, as a 40 something single Christian, I think that she, too, has somewhat missed the mark in that she makes a good argument for the need of non-married church members, but she doesn't really understand the significance of being single. This may be due largely to the fact that she is not, in fact, single (she admits this from the start, though she was single into her late 20s, early 30s). I found that the three examples she used were shaky, at best, for highlighting singleness (with Miss Moon being the most solid and convincing case). The middle example had less to do with being single and more to do with not recanting (and we have no idea how long she was single, how she because single, etc). Without knowing if her faith caused her singleness (she had an infant child), her singleness becomes irrelevant to her story. And with only three examples, having one be irrelevant deters greatly from your argument. The fact that Hitchcock equates singleness with celibacy (understandable, given the over arching view of the wider Church), and that there was still the undertone of "single people have more time to devote to the faith", made this argument not quite as convincing as it might have been. (Note, single people, especially single women, while they may not have immediate responsibilities of child rearing, tend to have the added responsibility of providing for themselves and taking care of running a household alone. This translates, in my experience, to less time and less resources overall because you have only one income and one labor, instead of maybe one and two or two and two. The simple idea that not having a child or a spouse frees up insane amounts of time is absurd and false. Not to mention I've known many a married soul who had lots of time to devote to the faith because they had so much more support from a spouse and other family, etc).
Overall, worth a read, and I hope that it may spur the church on to realize that pushing the marriage agenda and sidelining the singles, not making sure they are included as a vital and wholly legit part of the Church is not doing it any favors. But if looking for something that might help the single (who may or may not be happy with their singleness, may not have chosen it, may wish to change it, struggles with it, etc) feel like there is significance...it didn't really give me much in that regard.
December 28, 2019
I loved this book! I‘ve read many books and heard many sermons that have talked about the theology of marriage and how marriage displays the character of God, but finally here is a book that talks about the theology of singleness and the role of singles in the church. It is a really refreshing perspective, including some of the criticisms that the author has of evangelical Christian culture’s idolatry of marriage and sex. I really enjoyed reading this book and the refreshing perspective that the author gives, both through theological points and also real-life stories of singles who lived meaningful lives as they served God faithfully.
June 23, 2025
It’s kind of ironic when a Christian gets married and then writes a book on the significance of singleness. And yet, that a person who got married would still feel compelled to write a book to argue for the significance of those who remain single is itself telling.
So it goes with Christina Hitchcock with The Significance of Singleness: A Theological Vision for the Future of the Church (galley received as part of early review program). She remained single for many years but got married not terribly long before writing this book.
And it is a good and necessary book, because she is not wrong. Christians and churches these days have unhealthily idolized marriage and childbearing. The author well considered what is said in the New Testament regarding the place for those who are single and explored the examples of Perpetua, Macrina, and Lottie Moon in terms of faithfully serving the Lord Jesus while single. She also well demonstrated how a distorted perspective on singleness versus marriage has warped Christian perspectives and practice regarding matters like friendship and cross-gendered associations, as well as the less than great way those with same sex sexual desire get viewed and treated, along with many other points of practice or conflict and contention.
Single Christians are not “less than” in the church; they have just as much standing and value as married Christians, and should be as fully incorporated in the community of the people of God in their singleness as those who are married with children. Single Christians can well bear witness to our confidence in the resurrection, and honoring them and their presence should provide a good barrier to the temptation to idolize marriage and family as the way forward for the church, and to make sure the church does not become distorted in its mission and focus.
This came out in 2018 and thus reflects an Evangelical culture which had not yet thoroughly gone through the fracturing of the past decade. I highly recommend this work to consider how we can well incorporate and honor Christians who are single in our church communities.
So it goes with Christina Hitchcock with The Significance of Singleness: A Theological Vision for the Future of the Church (galley received as part of early review program). She remained single for many years but got married not terribly long before writing this book.
And it is a good and necessary book, because she is not wrong. Christians and churches these days have unhealthily idolized marriage and childbearing. The author well considered what is said in the New Testament regarding the place for those who are single and explored the examples of Perpetua, Macrina, and Lottie Moon in terms of faithfully serving the Lord Jesus while single. She also well demonstrated how a distorted perspective on singleness versus marriage has warped Christian perspectives and practice regarding matters like friendship and cross-gendered associations, as well as the less than great way those with same sex sexual desire get viewed and treated, along with many other points of practice or conflict and contention.
Single Christians are not “less than” in the church; they have just as much standing and value as married Christians, and should be as fully incorporated in the community of the people of God in their singleness as those who are married with children. Single Christians can well bear witness to our confidence in the resurrection, and honoring them and their presence should provide a good barrier to the temptation to idolize marriage and family as the way forward for the church, and to make sure the church does not become distorted in its mission and focus.
This came out in 2018 and thus reflects an Evangelical culture which had not yet thoroughly gone through the fracturing of the past decade. I highly recommend this work to consider how we can well incorporate and honor Christians who are single in our church communities.
September 29, 2025
Probably more like 4.5 stars.
The author does not offer a comprehensive treatment of singleness in this slim volume, and readers will be disappointed if they expect that. For the purpose of the book, however, I think the author did a good job, and I enjoyed reading it.
I especially resonated with her examples from the early church (I love early church history), but I was surprised at her discussion of baptism in the example of Perpetua. She discusses how her students are offended by the fact that baptisms in the early church were performed nude. She failed to mention, however, that women baptized women as part of the work of widows in the church (Karen Jo Torjesen. When Women Were Priests: Women’s Leadership in the Early Church and the Scandal of their Subordination in the Rise of Christianity (New York: Harper Collins, 1995)). Not to get off-topic, but widows were an ordained order in the early church (hence the placement/discussion of widows among the other ordained orders listed in 1 Timothy 5:3-16; Bonnie Bowman Thurston, The Widows: A Women’s Ministry in the Early Church (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989)) and had a number of duties, including baptizing new female converts (because, as the author mentioned, converts were baptized naked). I studied this as the focus of a major semester project at my very conservative Christian seminary.
In any case, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any Christian reader, regardless of marital status. It's encouraging for single people, and would be educational for married ones.
Note: the author is married, but this book is more of a theological treatise on singleness, not an attempt on the married author's part to relate to single readers or convince them that she knows what they're going through, something that always falls flat (unless there's a caveat that the book is only meant for readers under the age of [whenever the author married], but that never happens).
The author does not offer a comprehensive treatment of singleness in this slim volume, and readers will be disappointed if they expect that. For the purpose of the book, however, I think the author did a good job, and I enjoyed reading it.
I especially resonated with her examples from the early church (I love early church history), but I was surprised at her discussion of baptism in the example of Perpetua. She discusses how her students are offended by the fact that baptisms in the early church were performed nude. She failed to mention, however, that women baptized women as part of the work of widows in the church (Karen Jo Torjesen. When Women Were Priests: Women’s Leadership in the Early Church and the Scandal of their Subordination in the Rise of Christianity (New York: Harper Collins, 1995)). Not to get off-topic, but widows were an ordained order in the early church (hence the placement/discussion of widows among the other ordained orders listed in 1 Timothy 5:3-16; Bonnie Bowman Thurston, The Widows: A Women’s Ministry in the Early Church (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989)) and had a number of duties, including baptizing new female converts (because, as the author mentioned, converts were baptized naked). I studied this as the focus of a major semester project at my very conservative Christian seminary.
In any case, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any Christian reader, regardless of marital status. It's encouraging for single people, and would be educational for married ones.
Note: the author is married, but this book is more of a theological treatise on singleness, not an attempt on the married author's part to relate to single readers or convince them that she knows what they're going through, something that always falls flat (unless there's a caveat that the book is only meant for readers under the age of [whenever the author married], but that never happens).
February 1, 2021
A deep theological look at singleness in the church, how it is perceived and how it should be viewed going forward. The author, sadly no longer single herself (that took the shine off at first, but didn't affect the overall content), used three examples of women from church history (early church and 19th century) to show that being single is not a condition that needs to be fixed, but rather one in which the kingdom of God can and should be showcased. American Christianity and culture is fixated on singleness as being temporary. Hitchcock turns what we have long accepted from our pulpits and leaders completely upside down. The truth is, everyone is or will be single at some point. Even if you are married, you will likely return to singleness through death or divorce. Hitchcock gets the reader to stop thinking of marriage as an accomplishment or goal and instead see the need for all kinds of relationships within the church.
I'll admit, this wasn't the book I expected it to be. But I do feel it's a very necessary work and one that should be read by those in church leadership, if only to have long-held positions reconsidered. It should also bring encouragement and strength to those who are single and living in Christian faith, who have felt left out or left behind by their churches over the years.
Favorite quotes: "Christian singleness is a vivid picture of trusting in God rather than ourselves and our own ability to acquire goods and relationships to make ourselves safe."
"We should not expect that God will be locked into roles prescribed by human traditions. We should expect that in the kingdom of God those who seem to be lowest in status might in fact have the most to teach us."
"The church needs to refocus on its first task, which is not to shape good husbands and wives but to shape disciples of Christ."
I'll admit, this wasn't the book I expected it to be. But I do feel it's a very necessary work and one that should be read by those in church leadership, if only to have long-held positions reconsidered. It should also bring encouragement and strength to those who are single and living in Christian faith, who have felt left out or left behind by their churches over the years.
Favorite quotes: "Christian singleness is a vivid picture of trusting in God rather than ourselves and our own ability to acquire goods and relationships to make ourselves safe."
"We should not expect that God will be locked into roles prescribed by human traditions. We should expect that in the kingdom of God those who seem to be lowest in status might in fact have the most to teach us."
"The church needs to refocus on its first task, which is not to shape good husbands and wives but to shape disciples of Christ."
May 26, 2019
I don't gravitate much towards books on singleness but the subtitle of The Significance of Singleness caught my attention. Hitchcock presents a compelling vision of what it means to be a unified church. While it is not uncommon to dismiss, disregard, or make assumptions of those who are single, Hitchcock delves into Scripture to breathe new life and purpose into what it means to be a child of God. Though, of course, it is understandably written with single people in mind, it is a message each person in the Kingdom of God can find both challenge and encouragement. To know fullness of life as a child of God is for each one of us - not solely for the single who depends on God for security, fulfillment, joy. I find in Hitchcock's work an invitation to the church as a whole to be one collective body without emphasizing the need to segregate based on marital status. It is a call to come together and through the unique stories of each person, reflect something of God into the world. It is an invitation to connect with a fuller picture of the gospel, as often, the voice of singles is diminished. Highly recommend for both marrieds and singles to read and reflect on.
October 24, 2021
I don’t agree with all of Hitchcock’s conclusions, but I think this is a very worthwhile and thought-provoking read and would encourage anyone who has questions the value or theology of singleness to pick up a copy.
“The church must ask itself, ‘What is our responsibility to this person who is our brother or sister in Christ and who has, out of obedience to Christ, given up the securities and pleasures that come with marriage?’ Single people in the midst of the church remind us that we are all a family through the death and resurrection of Christ. They remind us of the new reality in which we live, and their presence urges us to structure the church according to that new, supernatural order rather than according to the old, natural order.” (pg. 135)
“The church must ask itself, ‘What is our responsibility to this person who is our brother or sister in Christ and who has, out of obedience to Christ, given up the securities and pleasures that come with marriage?’ Single people in the midst of the church remind us that we are all a family through the death and resurrection of Christ. They remind us of the new reality in which we live, and their presence urges us to structure the church according to that new, supernatural order rather than according to the old, natural order.” (pg. 135)
April 13, 2024
Christina's eagerness to see singleness elevated and celebrated in the church for its theological and missional richness is evident. While she is married, she refuses to hold marriage and family as the central or highest unit of Christian life. She offers historical and modern examples of influential single women who have nurtured the life of the church and it's members through their total devotion to Jesus. This book feels like a conversation with a friend who is excitedly sharing about her ideas. It is an introduction to the topic of singleness in the church, and offers ideas that others have unpacked more thoroughly. It skims the surface of this topic, hitting important themes and ideas, but doesn't say anything new about theology and practice of singleness.
November 26, 2021
Written by a theology professor, this book looks at single Christians from a theological and historical perspective, and offers a positive vision in place of the general evangelical condemnation of single Christians. Although the author is married, she shows great empathy for those who are not. She also looks at several single women who played important roles in Christian history to challenge the ultra-masculine nature of many contemporary churches. I wish this book had been available when I was single. It is a good companion to Gina Dalfonzo's "One by One: Welcoming Single Christians" but is more theological, whereas that book is more practical.
March 27, 2019
Hitchcock's theology was robust and sound and I think she is starting a really useful project here. An actual theological framework for singleness in the church is much-needed and I found her arguments inspiring. But I was left with a lot of unanswered questions (the strongest being - what is the relation between celibacy and singleness?) that I felt like should have been in Hitchcock's wheelhouse here. By far the best part of the book was the chapter on Lottie Moon, who, it turns out, is sassy and strong-willed and utterly utterly fascinating. I will definitely read more books about her.
May 10, 2021
An amazing book on, you guessed it, the significance of singleness. Hitchcock points to the importance of singleness and single people in the church who help us understand the gospel and point to the hope we have in eternity. Whether you’re single or not, have been for a while or really not long at all, I strongly recommend this book. The church has failed in so many ways to not only understand singleness/single people but value them for the gifted image-bearers they are. Thank you to the author for shedding light on this theological mistake and speaking truth.
February 19, 2022
This may be the only time I say this, but I wish the book would have been longer. Towards the end, Hitchcock argues the church needs a more robust theology of singleness. That is not what this book is, but it is well worth the read.
Hitchcock gives three pictures of the powerful ministry single Christians have had on church history. While the modern American church has made singleness at best a taboo, Hitchcock reminds us the vocation of singleness has the power to reflect the gospel as equally strong as marriage.
Hitchcock gives three pictures of the powerful ministry single Christians have had on church history. While the modern American church has made singleness at best a taboo, Hitchcock reminds us the vocation of singleness has the power to reflect the gospel as equally strong as marriage.
June 21, 2021
Fortunately, this book on singleness avoids the trap of inadvertently emphasizing marriage, like many other books seem to do. Rather than attempting to encourage singles on how to survive their single years, or how to find "the one," this book instead looks to Scripture to provide a theological basis for the validity and importance of singleness. While I differ with the author on a few details, this book is very helpful and even needed in evangelical Christianity in America.
October 1, 2024
This book is desperately needed in a church where marriage has become an idol. Hitchcock lays a clear, biblical, theological foundation for not only understanding the purposes of singleness, but the purposes of marriage as well.
June 4, 2022
unremarkable
May 24, 2022
A significant work to remind us who are married of the realities of being single. A beautiful way to highlight Paul's letter to the Corinthian church how singleness is a gift from the Spirit.
January 16, 2019
Singleness is a topic that is taboo among some young people. This is especially so for people living in cultures that elevate marriage above singlehood; setting up families; fear of loneliness; and producing babies for the next generation. In such societies, the default thinking is that if one is unmarried, then something seems amiss. In such an environment, there is pressure and desperation the older one stays single. Even churches are not immune. In fact, some churches frown on singles or tend to create programs catered more to families and married people. The truth is, singles are significant too. The author realizes this even as she was applying for Bible school, knowing that chances of getting married in such places are slim. It was a struggle for her to want to achieve her potential on the one hand but fully aware of her single status. She grapples honestly with her personal emotions while trying to make sense of cultural norms and biblical teachings. This book is a result of that exercise. Instead of letting culture define happiness in terms of marriage and family, she affirms the significance of singleness through the lens of the kingdom of God. Singles can play their part in community building, in gospel sharing, in becoming God's agents in the kingdom of God. She invites the whole Church at large to work together toward a theological vision and acceptance of singlehood for the gospel ministry.
There are three parts to this book. Part One looks at the cultural climate and in particular analyzes the "American evangelicalism's understanding of marriage." This is a riveting chapter that critiques the culture that puts the "Marriage Mandate" superior over all others. Such a mood pressurizes unmarried young people unnecessarily. Those in their 20s and 30s are most vulnerable to such cultural pressures. Even Christian organizations have unwittingly promoted the state of marriage to the detriment of the value of singlehood. Hitchcock wants to correct this with a value proposition: that being single is theological significant too. She points out how many organizations glorify marriage directly or indirectly. Books talk about them. Programs emphasize them. Society generally consider them more significant than others. She compares the realist and romantic understanding of sex where the realist sees sex as an eventual occurrence while the romanticist sees love as the necessary condition for sex and marriage. Such a view has roots in individualism where one will not be fulfilled with some form of sexual fulfillment. Organizations like "Focus on the Family" and marriage centered articles do not help in encouraging the significance of singleness. Theologically, Hitchcock expands on the apostle Paul's advice about remaining unmarried. Jesus responds to the question of marriage by looking beyond earthly perspectives toward heavenly ones. Celibacy is significant because it helps one focus on marriage as between Christ and the Church. This teaching is lacking especially in Protestant churches. Briefly, celibacy promotes paying greater attention to the priority of the Church; to the reality of the resurrection that is to come; and to the way we place our trust. In fact, Hitchcock is convinced that the proper understanding and valuing of singleness will do more to unite the Church and give dignity to all, both married and unmarried persons.
Part Two looks at the lives of three women, Macrina, Perpetua, and Charlotte Moon. In Macrina, Hitchcock is quick to note that though Macrina was arranged to be married, her identity was significant to singles at large. Her life was an example of leadership and single-minded focus on being virtuous and righteous. In fact, her fiance died before the marriage could take place. She was able to spur on a Christlike community despite being single. Thanks to her focus to honour Christ above all. She won the respect of many believers, both married and unmarried. The martyr Perpetua's life is about her core identity in Christ. She was not single as she bore an infant child at the time of her death. She was single not by choice but by circumstances. Her life as a Christian is not dependent on her marital status. Her faith and belief defines her, not her status. Hitchcock describes her multiple visions of God which assure her time and again that God cares for her. No one on earth is able to understand her more. Lottie Moon was a missionary to China. At that time, American mission agencies recognize the limitations of married women in the mission field. Lottie's life affirms the efficacy of single women in missions, and their practical value and strength. As missionary wives tend to be more concerned about their households, single women were able to contribute significantly to the practical work of missions. This also showcases the power of the Holy Spirit in using single people in the mission field.
Part Three tackles contemporary issues such as homosexuality, women in ministry, friendship, missions and evangelism. Using the examples of Macrina, Perpetua, and Lottie Moon, we learn how the gospel and the work of the kingdom are not limited by enabled through the theological significance of singlehood. They had focus. They were single-minded. They were absolutely filled with passion for the gospel and possess undivided attention on the kingdom's work. Hitchcock covers the topic of homosexuality by arguing that as long as churches do not have a theology of singleness, they will continue to have trouble in approaching the issue of homosexuality and homosexual marriage. The lack of a theology of singlehood also impacts the way we view friendships. Hitchcock shares an incident where a single female student was trying to initiate a conversation with a male classmate. The conversation ended abruptly when the male student said "I'm married" and turned away. Such an action throws a wrench to the cultivation of any community building initiative.
My Thoughts
I am thankful for this book. It is a reminder that as a Church, we ought to ensure that single people do not fall through the cracks of our various Church ministries. This is not simply about setting up a group or a ministry dedicated to singles. It is about the whole Church embracing single people as people who are loved by God, and who possess gifts and talents that edify the Church. Single people are not only effective in the mission field, they bring to the Church many gifts which married people simply do not have, or have the time to spare. Single people should not be seen as people waiting to be married. They should be accepted as they are in the kingdom of God, and encouraged to develop their gifts as best as possible. They have a powerful role to play in community building, in the cultivation of personal identities, and in the testimony of God's authority over all people. I like Hitchcock's astute observations about the culture of marriage mandate that exposes the flaws of our modern infatuation over marriage and marital statuses. In doing so, she brings back the dignity of single people.
In fact, singleness is not something reserved only for single people. It is theology for all people. Even for those who are married, there may come a time where they will be single again, whether it is due to death of the spouse or divorce. It could also be physical absence due to work or other reasons. There is a time for everything. For some, it might mean marriage and setting up a family. For others, it might mean a life staying unmarried but fulfilled in other ways. Hitchcock does not simply talk about the benefits of other ways. She expands the theology of singleness far beyond earthly concerns toward the resurrection promise. I recommend this book highly for all readers, especially single people.
Christina Hitchcock is Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Sioux Falls. She has been teaching there for over 15 years. Her research interest revolves around culture and theology.
Rating: 5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
There are three parts to this book. Part One looks at the cultural climate and in particular analyzes the "American evangelicalism's understanding of marriage." This is a riveting chapter that critiques the culture that puts the "Marriage Mandate" superior over all others. Such a mood pressurizes unmarried young people unnecessarily. Those in their 20s and 30s are most vulnerable to such cultural pressures. Even Christian organizations have unwittingly promoted the state of marriage to the detriment of the value of singlehood. Hitchcock wants to correct this with a value proposition: that being single is theological significant too. She points out how many organizations glorify marriage directly or indirectly. Books talk about them. Programs emphasize them. Society generally consider them more significant than others. She compares the realist and romantic understanding of sex where the realist sees sex as an eventual occurrence while the romanticist sees love as the necessary condition for sex and marriage. Such a view has roots in individualism where one will not be fulfilled with some form of sexual fulfillment. Organizations like "Focus on the Family" and marriage centered articles do not help in encouraging the significance of singleness. Theologically, Hitchcock expands on the apostle Paul's advice about remaining unmarried. Jesus responds to the question of marriage by looking beyond earthly perspectives toward heavenly ones. Celibacy is significant because it helps one focus on marriage as between Christ and the Church. This teaching is lacking especially in Protestant churches. Briefly, celibacy promotes paying greater attention to the priority of the Church; to the reality of the resurrection that is to come; and to the way we place our trust. In fact, Hitchcock is convinced that the proper understanding and valuing of singleness will do more to unite the Church and give dignity to all, both married and unmarried persons.
Part Two looks at the lives of three women, Macrina, Perpetua, and Charlotte Moon. In Macrina, Hitchcock is quick to note that though Macrina was arranged to be married, her identity was significant to singles at large. Her life was an example of leadership and single-minded focus on being virtuous and righteous. In fact, her fiance died before the marriage could take place. She was able to spur on a Christlike community despite being single. Thanks to her focus to honour Christ above all. She won the respect of many believers, both married and unmarried. The martyr Perpetua's life is about her core identity in Christ. She was not single as she bore an infant child at the time of her death. She was single not by choice but by circumstances. Her life as a Christian is not dependent on her marital status. Her faith and belief defines her, not her status. Hitchcock describes her multiple visions of God which assure her time and again that God cares for her. No one on earth is able to understand her more. Lottie Moon was a missionary to China. At that time, American mission agencies recognize the limitations of married women in the mission field. Lottie's life affirms the efficacy of single women in missions, and their practical value and strength. As missionary wives tend to be more concerned about their households, single women were able to contribute significantly to the practical work of missions. This also showcases the power of the Holy Spirit in using single people in the mission field.
Part Three tackles contemporary issues such as homosexuality, women in ministry, friendship, missions and evangelism. Using the examples of Macrina, Perpetua, and Lottie Moon, we learn how the gospel and the work of the kingdom are not limited by enabled through the theological significance of singlehood. They had focus. They were single-minded. They were absolutely filled with passion for the gospel and possess undivided attention on the kingdom's work. Hitchcock covers the topic of homosexuality by arguing that as long as churches do not have a theology of singleness, they will continue to have trouble in approaching the issue of homosexuality and homosexual marriage. The lack of a theology of singlehood also impacts the way we view friendships. Hitchcock shares an incident where a single female student was trying to initiate a conversation with a male classmate. The conversation ended abruptly when the male student said "I'm married" and turned away. Such an action throws a wrench to the cultivation of any community building initiative.
My Thoughts
I am thankful for this book. It is a reminder that as a Church, we ought to ensure that single people do not fall through the cracks of our various Church ministries. This is not simply about setting up a group or a ministry dedicated to singles. It is about the whole Church embracing single people as people who are loved by God, and who possess gifts and talents that edify the Church. Single people are not only effective in the mission field, they bring to the Church many gifts which married people simply do not have, or have the time to spare. Single people should not be seen as people waiting to be married. They should be accepted as they are in the kingdom of God, and encouraged to develop their gifts as best as possible. They have a powerful role to play in community building, in the cultivation of personal identities, and in the testimony of God's authority over all people. I like Hitchcock's astute observations about the culture of marriage mandate that exposes the flaws of our modern infatuation over marriage and marital statuses. In doing so, she brings back the dignity of single people.
In fact, singleness is not something reserved only for single people. It is theology for all people. Even for those who are married, there may come a time where they will be single again, whether it is due to death of the spouse or divorce. It could also be physical absence due to work or other reasons. There is a time for everything. For some, it might mean marriage and setting up a family. For others, it might mean a life staying unmarried but fulfilled in other ways. Hitchcock does not simply talk about the benefits of other ways. She expands the theology of singleness far beyond earthly concerns toward the resurrection promise. I recommend this book highly for all readers, especially single people.
Christina Hitchcock is Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Sioux Falls. She has been teaching there for over 15 years. Her research interest revolves around culture and theology.
Rating: 5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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