Her Hand in Marriage: Biblical Courtship in the Modern World (Family)

Let me begin by saying a little bit about myself. I am a senior in a Christian school, regular church-goer, and one who is eager to learn about what the Bible has to say about God's design for Christian living in general. I have a Marriage & Family class as the Sociology course and really have never thought too much about the importance of the formation of the family. Everybody in my school knows about the importance of the family's function -they have been constantly told over and over again since day one that how a family functions is vitally important, and it is. Now that I am considered a young adult, I want to know what the Bible has to say about how I, as a young Christian man, should prepare for marriage.That being said, I chose to read this book for a report in my class. My instructor said near the beginning of the class, "Young people, the method that you use, whether it be dating or courtship, does not matter -as long as your attitude is in the right place." Pastor Wilson opens the book with a statement that basically said any Christian who cares about what the Bible has to say about the function of the family should also care about what it has to say about the formation of families. Pastor Wilson outlines the courtship model in five basic sections: the authority of parents, the preparation of sons and daughters for courtship, the culmination of courtship, and he talks about the details of courtship. Any instance that Pastor Wilson talks about Biblical principle in courtship, he lists the Bible reference and explains the principle and how it can be applied in the modern realm of courtship.Pastor Wilson does also look at the system of dating. He talks about what it is, what the problems with it are, and why it is not Biblical. Personally, I found it very easy to accept that dating is not a Biblical system. Pastor Wilson also explains that dating is a relationship that is outside God's covenantal protection. As he puts it, "The modern dating system does not train young people to form a relationship. It trains them to form a series of relationships. At the very least, this system is as much a preparation for divorce as it is for marriage. Whenever the other person starts to wear a little thin, you just slip out the back, Jack.In short, this book helped me to see what exactly God's will is for young Christian couples and the Biblical way to form a Christ-centered relationship. Does method matter? Absolutely. I do believe this book helps to explain why.

I like how he explains the biblical pattern of courtship or dating in the modern world we live in today. Seems many have forgotten the best ways to guide our children in dating and has been lost from generation to generation. Thankful I am learning a better way from the book.

Highly recommend. As a husband and wife who grew up in church and both of our fathers were deacons my husband and I thought we had a decent idea on leading our children in biblical dating. But as our oldest hit this stage we were shocked to find that the dating scene has changed drastically and our former teachings were almost worthless. Even amongst your average Christian families we saw a lack of anything constructive. This book has been a huge help. It is NOT a “to do” or “don’t” list. It’s a broad scope of how marriage was viewed and pursued from the Bible’s standpoint. It points out biblical principles that each Christian parent and their child can prayerfully consider as they decide how to navigate the dating/courtship world for the glory of God. I would buy this book again.

Solid biblical apologetic for courtship. I wish he would had addressed the modern phenomenon of “older” single women who are no longer under their parents’ household. I also think some of the finer details about the pattern of courtship are subject to interpretation, Holy Spirit leading, and cultural and sub-cultural differences. But overall, I’d recommend this book as a solid foundation for Christians looking for a spouse.

"Her Hand in Marriage" starts by briefly but clearly laying out the devastating effects and unbiblical nature of "recreational dating." Then it sets about forming a very biblical view of romance, marriage, and how families ought to be formed. Rather than just spurting out "old-fashioned opinions" it uses Scripture to support its points. Much emphasis is placed upon the role of the father, the coventant of marriage, and differences between genders.This book is an easy read, and well worth the time of any reader whether they're married or single. It is very concise and to the point. As stated in other reviews, this is not a "one-size fits all" deal; the principles of courtship are what are most important in this book, and they are very practical.I do not agree with some of Wilson's interpretations of the Scripture, but I did not feel this at all frustrated His purpose.All-in-all this book is a very wise investment. If you are a young person wishing to honor God in a relationship down the road, here is a good place to begin learning how. If you are a parent, especially fathers, prayerfully consider what this book has to say.

As a youth pastor, I've watched several teens traverse the mine fields of dating only to misstep and suffer great heartache and damage to their faith. Signing a pledge card and wearing A TLW ring, while we'll intentioned, hasn't worked, for the most part in protecting our young people. This book points to God's design for protecting our children while ensuring their greatest joy in marriage- what Mr. Wilson calls biblical dating or courtship.Wilson exposits the Biblical texts to reveal Scripture's clear and helpful instruction on preparing our sons and daughters for marriage and the specific goal for each- sons are to be prepared to leave, daughters are to be protected by their fathers until they are given in marriage to a husband who will then assume the responsibility of protecting her.While primarily written as a helpful guide to parents, I would recommend this book to youth and family ministers as well as young men and women who are seeking to honor God in their relationships with members of the opposite sex.

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Helpful, concise summary of the principles of Biblical courtship. Particularly helpful for parents seeking to honour God in preparing a strong foundation for their daughter's marriage.

More books like this should be writen and published. Recommended not only to parents but also to single people who desires to worship the Lord in their relationships.