As you look through the Bible, there are only a couple of different male/female relationships that are found. There are father/daughter, husband/wife, brother/sister in the Lord (those born again that God has adopted), and a couple of references to engaged male/female. There aren’t any references to any type of courtship. Given the seriousness of a marriage relationship in the Bible, if Christ had desired a courtship type of relationship one might expect to see at least one reference. Rather there are many cautions to the single males and females on their conduct. One of the strongest example is found in 1 Corinthians 7:1 "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman." There are also many examples within the Bible about avoiding lust. Here are several.
2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
James 1:15 "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
James 1:14 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
Those that have dated have found it very difficult to avoid lust and the related temptations and far too often end up with additional sins like fornication. If you look at any of the data available today on pre-marital sex (even among Christians), I'm certain you'll agree, that while it's not impossible, dating certainly makes staying sexually pure until marriage a challenge. The other thought to consider is around the success of the dating system. Given that nearly 1/2 of all marriages today end in divorce, the process must not be ideal. Many that I've discussed this topics with agree that dating isn’t ideal, but question if there is any alternative. I'd offer the following to consider based on thoughts found in the Bible...
We believe that God created each of us and gave us a set of talents and weaknesses. (Genesis 5:2 “Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created”. And Isaiah 45:12 “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”) We also have the faith to believe that he is able to provide for all of His creation. (Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.") If he cares for the birds, certainly, He can care for each of us. If he cares for us and commits to provide all our needs, isn't is possible to also believe that if we need a spouse that he could also provide the ideal one. And that it's quite possible that because He made the spouse too, that He could do a better job of matching two up than anyone else? One key is that one must seek Him and His proposes first, then he'll provide all needs not just marriage. Sometimes we get it backwards. (Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.")
2006-10-03
15:42:36
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15 answers
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