the single issue
al hsu
© 1997 by Albert Y. Hsu
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1979, 1984 by International Bible Society. First published in Great Britain 1979. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, a member of Hodder Headline Group. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of International Bible Society. UK trademark number 1448790.
This British edition first published in 1998 by arrangement with InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, USA. Original title Singles at the Crossroads: A Fresh Perspective on Christian Singleness.
Reprinted 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004
ISBN: 9781844748228
Cover image: © iStockphoto
Cover design: Sally Ormesher
INTER-VARSITY PRESS
Norton Street, Nottingham NG7 3HR, England
Email: ivp@ivpbooks.com
Website: www.ivpbooks.com
Inter-Varsity Press publishes Christian books that are true to the Bible and that communicate the gospel, develop discipleship and strengthen the church for its mission in the world.
Inter-Varsity Press is closely linked with the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, a student movement connecting Christian Unions in universities and colleges throughout Great Britain, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Website: www.uccf.org.uk
Dedicated to Kairos
the single adult community of Blanchard Road Alliance Church, Wheaton, Illinois
May we make the most of every opportunity God gives us.
Contents
2. A brief history of singleness
6. From loneliness to solitude
7. From aloneness to community
Epilogue: A vision for the future
Appendix: John Stott on singleness
Why this book?
The average Christian bookshop has a wealth of titles on marriage and on parenting, children and family issues, but only a handful of books about singleness. Some of these are geared for ‘single-again’ divorcees or widows. Of the remainder, many are about ‘how to find the right partner’.
The marriage books never argue that marriage is a good thing. That is presupposed. They accept the reality that marriages often have problems, so that’s what these marriage books are for: dealing with the problems. But books on singleness usually have a different approach. Instead of dealing with problems that singles might face, these books seem to think that singleness is the problem. They instruct us on how to bide our time until the right person comes along. In other words, they imply that the solution to the problem of singleness is to ...
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About Single IssueNearly half today's adult population is unmarried. Most churches, however, emphasize marriage and family in a way that leaves many Christian singles feeling like second-class citizens. Although Jesus himself was single, the single state is often regarded as a problem in itself (rather than as having problems, as marriage does). By contrast, 'The Single Issue' sets out a positive, biblical view that honours singleness as a status equal to marriage. Avoiding trite advice on how to suffer through the single life, it offers practical insights on key concerns such as sex, celibacy and the constructive use of solitude - and points the way to a Christian community in which all members are equally valued. |
| Support Info | 9781844748235 |