I recently (last week) wrote a post "Kissing Leads to Missing" which speaks to these issues...

I thank God for James Dobson in his stance against abortion, and other things, but I wish he would be more clear with the Gospel. He always says, "I'm no theologian". So he doesn't share the basic truths of the Bible. I say we all are theologians in some sense.

I don't understand why he says things like: "I have had my different views of Scripture with the Pope, but he did a lot of good for this world".

Why not talk about the doctrinal errors of the Catholic Church. The Gospel of grace that they reject.

Sorry that I went on this rabbit trail. Hope it's alright.

Well, Don, I brought it up, I guess.

I agree. If you've decided not to be a theologian, you shouldn't speak of things that are by nature theological. Without theology, you're left with nothing but pragmatic reasoning--"this is what seems to work"--rather than Biblical answers to what is right.

While I certainly agree that the problem is epidemic, I think that perhaps the statistics are skewed because of a very liberal standard for determining who are true Christians. This post refers to "professing" Christians, and I think that is the key. I believe that most of the supposed Christians who are living in this sin aren't really Christians at all, but are in fact like most of the American population who associate themselves with a form of religion without being devout.

In light of that, I don't think that we should consider this problem to be one that really plagues the true Church, and that we should approach this situation primarily as a true Christian would approach a non-believer in sin.

There is obviously more to be said about this, but I'm just sharing a quick thought.

Seth Fuller
whatum.com
theological satire

Seth,

If you're referring to the divorce statistics, I agree. If it was possible to separate genuine believers from the nominal ones, the numbers would improve drastically.

If you mean that Christians in general don't date very much like the rest of the world, I disagree. They often enter dating relationships as lightly as unbelievers, "shopping around." They may not become sexually involved--although they often do, as they they progress down the slippery slope that naturally produces sexual desire--but they enter the relationship with marriage as a vague possibility rather than the intended end. I think the fact that many Christians--most,in my experience--allow or even encourage their teenage children, who obviously don't have marriage in mind, to date is proof that the philosophy of the church on dating is very casual and far removed from Biblical courtship.

If that's not true of you and your church, that's great. But in my little world, "Christian dating" is pretty much like the world's, minus the sex.

I think we are pretty much in agreement here, with a few slight differences. =)

I was more responding to the possible implication that a high percentage of true Christians are involved in gratuitous extramarital sex. I don't think that's true, if that's what was being suggested by Croft.

But yes, I definitely agree that within the Church there is a big problem with single men and women and how they are interacting with each other on a romantic level.

Seth

So when are you going to link me in your "Serious Humor" section, anyway? ;)

Hi Br. Scott
What do do if a christian is preently dating on the worldly way and we preach this christian dating to them; how to make them realize to turn around. How to go about turning around and stop kissing again ???

Hi Br. Scott
correction made !

What to do if a christian is presently dating on the worldly way and we preach this christian dating to them; how to make them realize to turn around. How to go about turning around and stop kissing again ???

Hi Viola,

If you want an answer from Scott Croft, you'll have to use the email address at the Boundless site. I'm just linking to his articles.

My short answer would be, if you are convicted that you have been wrong, just stop.

Sure, but that's easier said than done, isn't it? However, God has promised that you will face no temptation from which he has not provided away of escape; and he has promised grace sufficient for every need.

Turn your attention to God, through Scripture and prayer. Meditate on his Word.

While you're doing without that which we all naturally desire, give your desires to God. Tell him what you want. Ask him to mold your desires to his will. And pray for contentment while you wait.

I don't mean to minimize the difficulty, but, like I said, that's my short answer.

"While you're doing without that which we all naturally desire, give your desires to God. Tell him what you want. Ask him to mold your desires to his will. And pray for contentment while you wait."

This may be the short answer, but it's also excellent wisdom.
It's still may require some blood, sweat, and tears, from our side, but His grace will be there. He promised. And it may be for a season or so.