Purity while dating

Should you wait until marriage to engage in physical contact, even waiting for your wedding day to kiss your partner? Here are some influential leaders spotlighting problems within purity culture.

In 1997 when a then 21-year old Joshua Harris released the book shockwaves ran though Christian youth communities.

The book also gave some the impression that a certain methodology of relationships would deliver a happily-ever-after ending—a great marriage, a great sex life—even though this is not promised by scripture.

I now think dating can be a healthy part of a person developing relationally and learning the qualities that matter most in a partner…(Although, this assumes that all young Christians Godly parents available to oversee a courtship process.) He personally had great success finding a Godly wife through his method and assured his 1.2 million readers that his romantic prescription would also deliver similar success for them.20 years later, Harris changed his thinking, even ceasing the book’s publication.And he knew that in his resurrection he would be known by his brokenness and scars. We can only really know and be known when we show how life has marked us.” . You are such a beautiful writer, and you bless and challenge the world with your words. #Shameless Book A post shared by Jeff Chu (@byjeffchu) on While there remains ample debate among Christians about what God’s sexual purity standards should look like in practice, there seems to be a decreasing emphasis on prescriptive rules for finding a partner.As the unintended damage of “purity culture” continues to emerge, we anticipate more Christian thought-leaders will prioritize healthy messages and conversations of wisdom and grace over pharisaical chastity in the future.