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

by Jeramy Clark

Book Overview

In recent years, "dating" has become a dirty word in many Christian circles. So dirty, in fact, that young believers are now encouraged simply not to date. This position has provoked an open debate... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578563291
• ISBN13: 9781578563296
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Waterbrook Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

makes sense to me

This book talks about setting boundaries emotionally and physically. It says you should keep yourself accountable to at least one other person of the same sex. He also talks about letting your conscience be your guide as well as scripture since we have "God in our bod". He talks about not getting caught up in strict rules and to avoid legalism. There's a lot of focus on keeping things lighthearted and to guard your heart in dating experiences. Instead of thinking "What can I get away with?" he argues that we should instead be asking "How pure can I be?" This book is an answer to some of my prayers as I have some confusion about dating and relationships.

God's dating standards

"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.

An excellent, well thought out response!

I teach at a Christian middle school and have a teenage daughter who is interested in beginning dating. Several people had recommended "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", but after thumbing through it at my local book store I decided it was too hard line for me. I picked up this book and was immediately impressed by it's blurb on the back. Having now read it, I would highly recommend this to anyone who is uncomfortable with only one answer to the dating question for Christian teens. Jeramy Clark presents a biblical framework that is balanced and reasonable for our time. A must read for Christian teens and parents!!

This should be required reading for all Christian teens!

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!

Excellent insight!

I'm a single intern youth minister and I found much in this book that I could learn from as well. Mr. Clark, if I might call him Jeramy, has done well at recognizing the fear that has helped to create a legalism in Christian circles. We have enslaved ourselves to statutes and laws again, rather than walking in the grace bestowed on us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and keeping our Lord our focus. I think Jeramy has really hit on the essence of walking in grace. Although Joshua Harris' book, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," is an excellent book, this book seems to me to get more to the heart of the matter.