OK. I think I'm the only guy that has replied up to this point. Since you didn't spell out for me exactly what your problem with the book is and I've never read this particular book my opinion doesn't carry much weight. HOWEVER, I have read books like this and judging from your "sugary" comments I think I get some of the reason for disliking it. I would like to point out a few things about these types of books and their authors.
1) I totally agree with the comment that Christian authors should be held to a high standard of writing quality. Just because you are a Christian and writing a Christian book to a Christian audience is no excuse for poor quality.
2) I fully understand why some of these topics and books make you uncomfortable! I don't think that talking about sex, proper marriage, women's unique qualities, etc are exactly dinner table conversation. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a time and place for those things but I always appreciated it being more personal and deep than what you're going to get from one of these books. They always come across as shallow to me. Maybe I'm WAY out of touch but don't most Christian parents understand these things and tell them to their children today? I know mine always did and its something I appreciate. And lets be honest, is a hormonal teenager REALLY going to listen to what they read in a book? I mean all these principles are clearly spelled out in Scripture and yet teen pregnancy, unwed mothers, single parent families, divorce rates, etc are all extremely high in our society and are almost as equally high within the Church. Clearly if a book is all you needed the greatest book ever written would be more than enough to combat these things. Obviously there's more to it than that.
3) I think there are Christian principles and standards set forth in Scripture that are very clear and easy to understand. What is required is to uphold marriage as a sacred institution, for men to treat women with respect and to love them as Christ loved the church, and for women to love their husbands and serve as his help mate. That is what every individual in any marriage relationship is supposed to do. We live in a society that trashes those principles and values every day. The "free love" movement and "sex without consequences" lie that's propagated by the secular society is in direct opposition to Christian principles on the subject. Does that mean that people don't sin, don't fail, don't make mistakes? Of course we do, every day. But that's no excuse to do what you want either. There will be consequences, there will be heartache, and there will be problems because of every decision we make. I agree with the verse that says "flee temptation" and that is the best advice anyone can have when discussing these types of topics. You can't play with fire which I think is the best part of the message. Love and sex and everything that a married couple enjoys in their relationship is healthy and natural within those bounds. But those feelings are so strong that once you start down that path it is nearly impossible to turn around. I think the biggest lie we tell ourselves is, "its just fun" and "I can handle it". Believe me, very few if any can. And even if you could, is it the right thing to do? You know if what you're thinking, looking at, doing, etc with or towards another person is wrong. I may be naive in thinking that these principles are mostly known by Christians today but if they are not it just shows you the sadder truth that the Church today has completely failed with a large population of Christian followers.
That was longer than I wanted but hopefully it helps. I welcome any further discussion or criticism.
no subject
I would like to point out a few things about these types of books and their authors.
1) I totally agree with the comment that Christian authors should be held to a high standard of writing quality. Just because you are a Christian and writing a Christian book to a Christian audience is no excuse for poor quality.
2) I fully understand why some of these topics and books make you uncomfortable! I don't think that talking about sex, proper marriage, women's unique qualities, etc are exactly dinner table conversation. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a time and place for those things but I always appreciated it being more personal and deep than what you're going to get from one of these books. They always come across as shallow to me. Maybe I'm WAY out of touch but don't most Christian parents understand these things and tell them to their children today? I know mine always did and its something I appreciate. And lets be honest, is a hormonal teenager REALLY going to listen to what they read in a book? I mean all these principles are clearly spelled out in Scripture and yet teen pregnancy, unwed mothers, single parent families, divorce rates, etc are all extremely high in our society and are almost as equally high within the Church. Clearly if a book is all you needed the greatest book ever written would be more than enough to combat these things. Obviously there's more to it than that.
3) I think there are Christian principles and standards set forth in Scripture that are very clear and easy to understand. What is required is to uphold marriage as a sacred institution, for men to treat women with respect and to love them as Christ loved the church, and for women to love their husbands and serve as his help mate. That is what every individual in any marriage relationship is supposed to do. We live in a society that trashes those principles and values every day. The "free love" movement and "sex without consequences" lie that's propagated by the secular society is in direct opposition to Christian principles on the subject. Does that mean that people don't sin, don't fail, don't make mistakes? Of course we do, every day. But that's no excuse to do what you want either. There will be consequences, there will be heartache, and there will be problems because of every decision we make. I agree with the verse that says "flee temptation" and that is the best advice anyone can have when discussing these types of topics. You can't play with fire which I think is the best part of the message. Love and sex and everything that a married couple enjoys in their relationship is healthy and natural within those bounds. But those feelings are so strong that once you start down that path it is nearly impossible to turn around. I think the biggest lie we tell ourselves is, "its just fun" and "I can handle it". Believe me, very few if any can. And even if you could, is it the right thing to do? You know if what you're thinking, looking at, doing, etc with or towards another person is wrong. I may be naive in thinking that these principles are mostly known by Christians today but if they are not it just shows you the sadder truth that the Church today has completely failed with a large population of Christian followers.
That was longer than I wanted but hopefully it helps. I welcome any further discussion or criticism.