Jonathan Lindvall, of Bold
Christian Living runs seminars on relationships
and the family, including betrothal. Read Comparisons
of Dating, Courtship, and Scriptural Betrothal for a brief
outline of the terms used by many of the articles on this page. The
following four articles constitue the basis of his new book, God's
Design for Youthful Romance:
Joshua Harris has written an number of articles on courtship, as
published in New Attitude magazine, including:
The 700 Club has an interview
with Josh and Shannon (his wife). See also Courting
Romance by Kelly McElveen. entitled The
Dating Scene: Josh Harris on Christians, Dating, and Finding
the Girl of His Dreams
Wake
Up, Little Suzy by Douglas Wilson, as published in
Credenda/Agenda. This is basically the introduction to his
book Her Hand in Marriage, see below.
Reb
Bradley of Family
Ministries has a number of his own
resources, including a booklet Dating: Is it Worth the Risk?,
excerpted from his book, Effective Parenting of Teens. It
develops concepts of courtship from the dating perspective. Family
Ministries also distributes some of the other resources on this page.
Dating vs. Courtship by Paul Jehle is the most
complete, principle-based and Biblical book I have seen on this subject
so far. I highly recommend it. This is the textbook for Pastor Lon's
CLST course outline below.
Pastor Craig Lotze has a tape series on Courtship and
another Restoring The Foundation of Purity Its available through
Victory Faith Fellowship.
Lon Stokes (based in Othello, WA) has extensively studied
biblical courtship, and from his findings has prepared a class
on Christian Courtship. It is a 10-hour course organized
in the CLST format. Mail Columbia Christian Center for more
details.
Craig Hill has written a number of excellent books on
relationships, as well as several series of tapes. His resources are
available from Australia, the USA
and the UK.
Start out with His Perfect Faithfulness: The Story of Our
Courtship, by Eric and Leslie Ludy -- it's a great introduction
to courtship. Follow up with Romance God's Way the book form of
their now well-known seminar (also available on video).
Her Hand in Marriage by Douglas Wilson is worth buying
if only for the superb analogy/story he tells in it's last few pages.
His early chapters also provide a great explaination to the roots of
dating and courtship, and God's plan for relationships.
Leave Dating Behind: A Road Map To Marriage by Christina Rogers (available from amazon.com)
Joshua Harris has
several books on courtship, the best-selling I Kissed Dating
Goodbye (published by Multinomah Press and Boy Meets
Girl. I think his second book Boy Meets Girl is a very
succinct and clear explaination of practical courtship.
Canon Press and Book Service (based in Moscow, ID)
have several books and a tape series on biblical courtship in their catalogue,
including Her Hand in Marriage and Christian Courtship vs. The
Dating Game.
Developing Proper Relationships is a tape series by Tim
Robinson on biblical relationships. I haven't heard it yet, but I
have heard other messages by Pastor Tim which were excellent! :)
The Courtship
Connection sell most of the books on this page as well as a number
of tapes and other courtship materials. Their catalogue includes:
God's Plan for Finding a Mate - Dating? Courting? Betrothing? by Dr. S. M. Davis
Courtship and Dating: A Biblical Analysis by Angela Hanson
Of Knights and Fair Maidens by Jeff and Danielle Myers
(Audio) How Betrothing Worked for Us: Testimony of Dennis and
Lisa Moravek with Dr. S. M. Davis, subtitled: How
God clearly led their parents to help them find their mates!
(Fiction) The Courtship of Sarah McLean by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Castleberry
(Fiction) Waiting for Her Isaac by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Castleberry
(Fiction) The Master's Weaving by Karen Wilt
Resources listed below this line have not yet been reviewed by me in detail, but I will be researching them soon:
In Basic Digest--Relating Without Dating Newletter
RR. 1, Box 58, Hillsboro. IL 62409 (Christian/teen courting)
The Institute in Basic
Life Principles is a well-known organization with excellent seminars
on building character and authentic relationships. The Basic Youth
Conflicts Seminar contains some teaching about the negative aspects of
the of dating, and IBLP also have a 10-page booklet on courtship,
Establishing Biblical Standards of Courtship, by Bill
Gothard and associates published by ATIA, Box One, Oak Brook,
Illinois 60522-3001, phone (630) 323 9610 -- now online at http://store.iblp.org/. See also Bill's article What Is Courtship?
Guidelines for Courtship and Preparation for Marriage by
Jeff Barth. Includes experiences of his children who have gone
through courtship/betrothal/marriage. Parable Publishing House, RD2,
Box 2002, Middleburg, Vermont 05753
Families, Dating and the Bible by Earl and Diane Rodd, 6044 Pine Creek Street, N.W., N. Canton, Ohio 44720
Greg Price has a video, Dating or
Courtship: Which is Biblical? and a book Christian
Education in the Home: Help! My Daughter Wants to Date available
from S??? [Note: From these pages, I probably don't agree with Price
on a couple of "key" (but quite unessential to salvation)
theological issues regarding worship (the psalter
and instruments)] Kevin Takenaka has written a
review, and Andrew Haylett has written another
one. Help! My Daughter Wants to Date by Greg Price,
bound photocopy. Still Water Revival Books, 4710-37A
Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6L-3T5, phone (403) 450-3730, fax
(403) 465-0237
Other assorted resources and articles:
ChristianFilms.com produced Pamela's Prayer, a non-dating movie.
Passion4
Purity, a group of teens who have committed to remain sexually pure
throughout their life.
Ruth is by far the greatest example of
courtship in the Bible. This article looks promising: Ruth, The Story of
Right Woman
Sexual Purity: Beyond
Legalism is an excellent article on the general principles we should
follow in relationships, instead of legalistic rules.
Another wordly perspective -- but it might make a good start
for dads! :) Dating
Application
Even though Boundaries in Dating decries courtship,
Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend describe many good
principles (e.g. accountability structures) that I believe are
important elements of pre-marriage romantic relationships/courtship.