The Use and Misuse of the Bible’s Teaching on Dating and Courtship

Christians seeking to marry face a conflict between the church’s dating rituals and broader cultural rituals. And even within the church, people hear conflicting messages. Some of the difficulty is rooted in problematic interpretations of ancient courtship customs referenced in the Bible and in the challenge of bringing context-specific instructions to our lives today. This workshop addresses often misunderstood texts and draws on tensions within biblical themes, such as dependence and independence, family and individuality, and decision-making and the will of God.