I Gave Dating a Chance : A Biblical Perspective to Balance the Extremes

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing
Review: I thought the title of this book sounded promising - a Christian who thought dating was okay. A Christian book to balance Joshua Harris' immature and poorly written I Kissed Dating Goodbye. However, this book was a little appalling in its rampant sexism. The sections about how men are naturally women's protectors and particularly the list on what women should wear in order to preserve their modesty - extremely troubling! Not allowing your bra straps to show because men might be aroused! Men might be aroused! Men should really be able to control their feelings or at least look away if a woman's bra strap should happen to accidentally slip partially from under her sleeve. Are they capable of no self control? And the final suggestion about doing a check on yourself in the mirror by bending around and checking your hemline and shirt and the way things move to ensure that no skin is showing and no underwear can be discerned was unnervingly similar to the controlling dictates of many men who dominate abusive relationships. I was very upset to hear words that were practically verbatim quotes of abusive young men who had sought to control their girlfriends.
The section on modesty was a disappointing and somewhat disturbing addition to this book.

Rating:
Summary: Does it matter??
Review: Dating & Courtship. There's been sooo much debate as to which one is the most Godly. But does it really matter what TERMS we use?? Whether we call it dating or courtship isn't really the point is it? When we get to heaven will God say to us, "Did you date or did you court?" Ahhh...no. Don't think so. God never metions courtship or dating in the Bible~ BOTH are products of society. The importance lies not in the terms we use (a.k.a. 'courting' or 'dating') but in the lifestyle we live out. People who date (not always) but can get put in situations that they are tempted by easier. They are alone usually, and often are too young to have enough maturity to handle it. People who court (not always) can be 'holier than thou' because they think that since they are using the term 'courtship' then they must not be sinning as much as their unholy-dating-neighbors. But both attitudes are sins. We need to pray, and seek God's will for OUR lives. Different situations require different approaches. Neither TERM will fit every single couple that wants to get married. But God's plan and principles of integrity, purity, and love will most definitly. We can't just lable one term 'better than another' or 'more sinful'~ we have to examine our motives, maturity and what God's will is for us. Oh one thing about this book~~ what the "A Biblical Perspective to Balance the Extremes"? Ummm.....doesn't the Bible say Christians are not supposed to be "lukewarm" (aka in balance) That just doesn't seem to fit what God commands us to be.

Rating:
Summary: A great guide to successful dating
Review: This book truly is a Godsend. It has really helped me to know what God's will is for my dating life. He wants me to glorify Him in all that I do, including my dating relationships. This book gives practical advice on how this can be acheived. It is written clearly and not too formally so it is easy to get into it. I learned so much valuable information that I don't even know what to do with it all. Everything he said made sense and applied to my life. It is worth it to sit down and read this book before entering into any type of dating relationship. Jeramy clark really knows what he's talking about when it comes to dating God's way.

Rating:
Summary: the key to dating success
Review: I Gave Dating A Chance really is the key to any successful dating relationship. Clark gives useful and Biblical advice on how to please God in dating relationships. The only way that they will work is if they bring glory to God. I know I have found this to be true in my own life and this book has been like a second Bible in this area. Clark pulls from his own life experiences to relay what God expects of Christians in dating realtionships. Instead of "kissing dating goodbye", he offers a successful option to those who desire to date and know others on a more personal level. Every word in this book has truth to it. i honestly think it's inspired by God in some way. If a Christian chooses to date, he or she needs to read this book and they will surely succeed in any relationship from then on. It's very up to date and logical. It is definitely a must- have for any Christian teen.

Rating:
Summary: Everything Old is New Again
Review: This book by Jeramy Clark gives excellent insight into the proper procedures one needs to take before pursuing a dating relationship. He gives a young and fresh view of traditional values by using his own experiences to personalize the message. This enables the reader to relate more deeply to the concepts discussed, since they are on a more tangible level. In these days of moral relativism this book makes responsibility and standards appear much more attractive to the reader, by contemporizing timeless truths.

Rating:
Summary: God's dating standards
Review: "I Gave Dating a Chance," was an incredible book. It is very useful in finding information on dating guidelines. I fully agreed with all of the points that Jeramy Clark used. I felt that they were completely valid, and able to be backed up with scripture. It is very evident that Jeramy Clark is strongly committed to the Lord. It is obvious through his beliefs that he truly believes that the information in this book will benefit those who date. My relationship with my past boyfriend proves that his ideas on dating are successful. My boyfriend and I followed the guidelines given within the book and the other tips, and we have had the most successful relationship. Even though we are not boyfriend and girlfriend any longer we are best friends. To many our friendship is shocking. Many people do not get along with their ex's, but our dating relationship was following God's guidelines and that allowed us to grow a special and unique bond. Our relationship was focused on God and centered on building each other up and encouraging one another to grow in our spiritual walk with God. This book is very beneficial, and I recommend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting look into dating
Review: I have read many books about dating in a godly and reserved manner. I Gave Dating a Chance was more a less an encouragement to me. As a christian my goals for dating have already been decided, so the information in his book was not new. Yet for those who are struggling to find a way to date in a godly fashion this book would be helpful. I Gave Dating a Chance gives practical advice on how to date in a honorable way. This book does do an excellent job in finding an acceptable median. It points out that dating is not evil or wrong, only that it should be handled in a godly and mature fasion. If you are a young adult just starting to think about dating, I suggest this book. It offers sound and biblical advice on when, how, and why a young christian should date.

Rating:
Summary: My review
Review: I have never been able to say that I have actually learned something from reading a book. However, this book proved me wrong. I have never read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" because there is no way I would stop dating. So, I went to its opposite. "I Gave Dating a Chance" showed me how to date and keep my number one focus on God. So many times when I have dated someone, my walk from God has completely fallen. I start to focus all my attention on that guy and then I eventually separated from God. I can not stress enough to anyone how important it is to keep your eyes on God and Him only. See, my problem was that this guy I was dating was not a strong Christian. He partied and everything else. This brought me down. I started to party and my eyes were completely taken off God. I ended that and realized that I needed to get my priorities straight. I am now dating another guy who is awesome and he loves the Lord. My number one focus is God now and that is how it should be. As I read this book, it is so obvious how easy it is to ignore God in a dating relationship. My favorite chapter was "Quality Control." Its focus is about how one day, everyone's prince or princess will soon come. That gave me so much hope. God has my life planned out already including who I am going to marry. I don't even need to stress about it. He has everything under control. I encourage all you young readers to read this book. It will teach you things so you don't have to learn the hardway, like I did. Just remember, never take your eyes away from God. You will get nowhere and neither will your relationship.

Rating:
Summary: Great resource
Review: As I was looking for a good book to offer to my girls back at my home church, my college roommate handed me this book. I started reading with a relatively open mind and discovered that not only was this book something every teenage boy or girl should read when they want their romantic lives to line up with the Lord's will, but that I also was able to find meaning in much of the content. Granted, I don't agree with all of Mr. Clark's conclusions, but the principles of this book are strong and the message is clear. Rather than throwing this book at teenagers, I would recommend reading it with them and having genuine discussions, or pairing it with other books on such subject matter. However... highly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Dating with God's approval
Review: This book presented views on how Christians should date, yet glorify God at the same time. Contrary to many other views on dating Jeramy Clark presented the positives for dating. I supported many of his opinions but found not enough concrete detail as to why I should believe his way. "I Gave Dating a Chance" covered a variety of topics. From flirting to purity Clark discussed his feelings on several subjects. Throughout the book, the idea of God's will was continuously repeated. In all instances Christ needs to be glorified. Nowadays "dating" has become an evil word to some Christians. God does not condemn dating as long as it brings Him honor. "I gave dating a chance" teaches single people how to pursue healthy relationships with God's blessing.