Rating: 
Summary: Not terribly original
Review: All the information in this book was accurate, but not outstanding. The author makes very obvious statements that we want to remain pure for God through our dating life, but he does't give any specific tips on how to do this. The book could still be helpful for someone who has never really thought about having a dating relationship in a Christian manner, but I was hoping for more practical applications on dealing with the pressures of dating that realistically will occur.
Rating: 
Summary: A less extreme perspective?
Review: I really don't understand why today's youth would need a so-called balanced and less extreme perspective on anything, much less dating. Apart from the fact that the average teen (incidentally, I'm 19 myself) is somewhat radical and extreme today, God Himself wants Christians to be either hot or cold (read: extreme), and to Him, the lukewarm Christian is a disgusting taste! (Read Revelation 3:15-16!) Also, one must realize that while Mr. Clark may have had a successful and pure dating relationship, he was also well out of his teens when he wrote this book. Joshua Harris was only barely out of his teens upon writing his book-- he was more aware of the difficulties that face teens today. I do not claim to know everything. But I know that this book can be a danger to teens if they do not read God's Word for themselves first so that they can hear directly from Him!
Rating: 
Summary: How to reach me.
Review: Thanks for your interest in "I Gave Dating A Chance." If you didn't like it try reading it upsidedown. If you would like to contact me, you can email me at igavedatingachanc@hotmail.com
Rating:
Summary: Close, but no cigar...
Review: Jeramy Clark obviously took alot of time to write this book, but not quite enough to think about what he was saying. He is trying very hard to justify something that is not what God wants. As Joshua Harris says, dating is like going to a fast food restaurant- it won't kill you, but why would you go there when there is something far better. Mr. Clark is trying to take something that is second best, gloss it over with faulty ideas, throwing in his own story to make it appear like it always works, and go. No matter how you say it, whether in words or actions, dating still leaves you with a scarred and tattered heart. Thats not what I want to present the man that God has chosen for me. I urge you to reconsider this book- don't give dating a chance. Its not worth your heart.
Rating: 
Summary: This should be required reading for all Christian teens!
Review: Finally, a book that offers a biblical perspective on dating! I've read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", and while I agreed with the premise of remaining pure and set apart, something just didn't sit right with me. After reading "I Gave Dating A Chance", I think it was that I was left with a feeling of legalism after reading "I Kissed Dating Goodbye". "I Gave Dating A Chance" set me free from that feeling of legalism. That's not to say that courtship isn't the way for some people, but it's not THEE one and only godly way. It's not a bad thing to want to date. "I Gave Dating A Chance" didn't leave me feeling afraid that if I allowed my children to date (at the proper age), I'd be committing an act of negligence as a parent. I like the idea of teaching guidelines and encouraging young people to set guidelines for themselves.I wish someone had given me such a book to read when I was a teenager. I think this book should be required reading for all Christian teens before they are allowed to date. I know it will be in our home. I also appreciate the study materials at the end of the book. The whole time I was reading it I thought it would make an excellent study for our church's youth group! Thanks for giving hope and biblical perspective and guidelines to this issue to those of us who don't feel like God is calling our children to courtship!
Rating:
Summary: Finally a balanced singles book
Review: I admire the author for tackling the extreme legalism brought forth and made into a theology by Christianity's big boys in reference to "I Kissed Dating Goodbye". I can clearly see the balanced Christian perspective of dating in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than nothing - but just barely.
Review: The following is excerpted from a lengthy response to IGDC I put together when I first read it.IGDC is designed for youth who are also frustrated with dating but want to be conformists, who don't want to be seen as "extreme" or lose the acceptance of mainstream friends. It promises the benefits of courtship without the rigor... In the third chapter of his book Clark tries to set his own book apart from courtship books and give justification for doing so. He does so by maligning courtship, tarring with a bigots brush without bothering to give an ounce of evidence. He owes advocates of courtship an apology.... Clark would have us believe legalism is the only error we can fall into, but as the discussion above shows, there is an equal and opposite error, known as PIETISM. Pietism is the notion that "holy thinking" and right motivations will somehow magically result in good ends, without any identifiable process adjustments. Pietism is more naïve than heretical, but it leads to ineffectuality because in the real world right thinking and right motivation must be utilized in the context of right action - doing something different than would otherwise be - or it all comes to nought.... ...It is difficult for a courtship apologist to name some principle of courtship to which Clark does not subscribe. Seek accountability with others such as parents he says (p. 87), build your character (p. 57), set criteria by which you judge whether you are prepared for marriage (p. 69), don't date non-Christians (p. 36), communicate on dates rather than focusing on entertainment (p. 48), and on and on and on. Clarks' whole book is a tacit acknowledgement of the program and means and ideals of courtship. (Not that courtship advocates invented every such principle, but in courtship they are explicit.) So where's the difference? The difference lies in the issue of accountability and lack of structure and external counsel. In IGDC everything relies on the willpower and thoughtfulness of the individual. Although accountability is mentioned it is brief and late in the book, not a fundamental principle that is needed to make the others more effective. If we sought accountability naturally that might not be so bad, but we don't. And by providing a slew of good ideas while downplaying the idea of actually changing behavior by raising the legalism bogeyman, he eviscerates his own self-improvement program.... ...Clark's thesis is that problems in dating arise because people are ignorant. If they would just learn what the Biblical standards for relationships are, we'd be OK. In order to support this thesis, it is necessary for IGDC to make some astonishing assumptions. Notice the presumption of ignorance on the part of his young friend in the example above. Does he really think ignorance is the problem? IGDC seems to forget that we do have a conscience. Those standards of purity and godly living aren't just in the Bible, they are also written in our hearts. And to assume that everyone having problems in dating is ignorant of the Bible and what it teaches is remarkably naïve. Over and over IGDC tells us what we already know. He repeats what most of us have already learned in Sunday school, and Bible study, and in sermons and listening to Christian speakers. We may learn a few pointers from his book, but overwhelmingly what IGDC has to tell us is old news. That's why IGDC will probably be relatively popular, and will definitely be ineffectual. Telling us what we already know is an easy way to win approval but a poor way to achieve change and fix problems. We've had these exhortations for decades in the context of dating, and it hasn't made any discernable difference on the population of dating Christians as a whole - not from the statistics I've seen.... ...Neither intellectual nor moral ignorance is the main problem. Weakness in temptation is the main problem. IGDC's exhortations do nothing to address that effectively. Jeramy, we already knew God wants us to be pure. We already knew we should treat the other person with honor. We already knew we should ask the counsel of others. We already knew we should think with our head not our hearts. IGDC also fails to cope with other major problem areas of dating. As I mentioned, it focuses exclusively on improving yourself by addressing presumed ignorance. It does nothing to protect a young lady (who has read IGDC and taken it to heart) from a date rapist who doesn't care about such exhortations. Or a young man from a manipulative 'gold digger' who can put on a good front. Not only is IGDC ineffectual in addressing temptation, it is also ineffectual in providing a safe environment that protects that reader from abuses (incidental or deliberate) that are epidemic today.... Those with a heartfelt desire to be pure and keep a whole heart on the road to marriage will be let down by IGDC. The author is surprisingly callous when it comes to dating and breaking up. [See p. 154]... ...IGDC asks us to avoid legalism, but keeps us in the bondage of failed cultural systems that so many of us found to be more brutal and repressive than any legalism... Courtship, as I am continually at pains to show in day to day discussions, is not legalistic. It is a matter of understanding the principles so we can customize rules for each situation, to achieve good ends. Clark never provides evidence to justify his accusations of legalism...
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Contemperary Guide to Dating
Review: Without a doubt this is the greatest book on the confusing topic of dating. Providing Biblical clarity, Clark truly speaks to the reader. Directed towards teens this is a book that reads quickly (which is important for this age.) It's packed with great stories and practical advice. Working with high school students in ministry it is great to know that when a student seeks direction on dating I can point to this book with confidence. From physical boundaries to modesty this book is upfront and honest. If you want to have a dating life that is truly under the control of the Holy Spirit, this needs to be a part of your library. The book overflows with the authors own love for Christ, which will fill you up simply by reading it. So for a fun and informative look at the confusing topic of dating, don't hesitate to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a blessing
Review: This book has been a blessing in showing the way I should treat and respect girls according to God's standards. I suggest that you should reed this book before you start your dating life.It is full of life storys that make it exciting!
Rating:
Summary: Dating to God's Glory!
Review: Have you ever thought about dating? If you have, then this book is for you. Have you ever wondered if it is possible to date and still please God and have quality relationships? Well, that is all possible and Jeramy gives a ton of great advice as to how to make that happen for you. Whether you are ready to date or not this book is for you. think through the critical issues before you start to date. Or if you already do date, then read this now and check up on yourself. Many people have frustration and harsdship with dating. A lot of that comes naturally with relationships. However, if you approach dating properly, then you can avoid much weeping and knashing of teeth. Jeramy goes through critical issues such as communication-this is key. As well as boundaries both physically and emotionally. He talks about setting down guidelines for yourself and being wise in your dating. He discusses your desire to date. Is it from God or not? Accountability and compromise are all discussed in this book as well as many other things. Jeramy talks about some much needed things that i have not seen talked about in a dating book yet. Check this one out and you will not be dissappointed. The best part about it all is that Jeramy backs what he has to say with experience as well as biblical support. Does the bible really address the issues of dating? I think it does and Jeramy does an excellent job of explaining what The bible has to say about different issues in dating. Read this book and you will not be dissappointed. This is the best book i have ever read on dating. No matter who you are, if you have any interest in anything about dating this is a must read. enjoy!
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