Monday, August 10, 2015

The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating by Andy Stanley

The New Rules for Love, Sex, and DatingThe New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating by Andy Stanley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Kindle version was cheap, $2.99 so I bought it out of a curiosity for what the loyal opposition is doing.  While I am a rather poor excuse for a Christian (I like Christmas Trees) with a one way ticket to hell for some matters involving lusting over a bare thigh (in church no less) for which I refuse to ask forgiveness, I am a rather dyed in the wool monogamist.  So for the price, I thought I would see what the good pastor has to say.

Actually I was pleasantly surprised.  The book starts out fairly secular.  Later chapters he drags out the sin and purity and starts thumping the Bible, but if you can get around the rhetoric,  for the most part the suggestions in this book are good and would apply to non-religious folks as well as the religious.  Let us say that I agree with most of his methods.

His main tenet is that instead of looking for the right partner become the right partner.  Become the person that you are looking for.  Pretty good advice.   He goes a little overboard in my estimation on premarital sex...the sin and purity stuff that doesn't set well me.  That said however I will admit that I think he is right, jumping into sex prematurely blinds one to the relationship flaws.  Sex is a powerful binding element in human relationships, but it does not guarantee longevity in a committed relationship.   He states the way to resolve your relationship issues is with a clear head before you get involved with sex.  I agree, but I don't think waiting until your  wedding night is a good maneuver for determining your sexual compatibility.  But then again I don't find premarital sex conducted in a committed loving relationship with the aim of marriage to be sinful.   Am I willing to bet my Soul on that?  Yes, but I am not willing to bet yours so read what he has to say and decide for yourself.

While I didn't agree with all he had to say and perhaps the theology behind it, I have to say if you can ignore the churchy hype, this guy has something important to say about love, sex, and marriage.  




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11 comments:

  1. OlgaAugust 10, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    I probably would not be able to filter out the churchy hype so i will wait for you to write a book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SextantAugust 11, 2015 at 12:21 AM

      The New Age Flake's Navigational Guide To Love, Sex, Dating and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

      Delete
  2. OlgaAugust 10, 2015 at 2:07 PM

    Also, you might want to leave out the reference to "rules" if you want me to read it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SextantAugust 11, 2015 at 12:23 AM

      Duly noted.

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Olga.

      Delete
  3. AliciaAugust 10, 2015 at 11:52 PM

    Yeah, I have to agree with Olga, I couldn't filter out the churchy hype, but I commend you for doing so in order to report back to us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SextantAugust 11, 2015 at 12:26 AM

      You women are tough!

      It was a curiosity and it was inexpensive.

      Aways an honor, Alicia.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousAugust 28, 2015 at 10:55 PM

    That's the best title ever, Sextant.
    I predict The New Age Flake's Navigational Guide To Love, Sex, Dating and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance will be a surefire bestseller.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SextantAugust 30, 2015 at 11:53 AM

      I don't know, I think it would be a disappointment to flakes, navigators, lovers, the sexy, daters, artists and motorcycle owners. I probably know more about motor cycle maintenance (which is zero) than I do those other lofty pursuits.

      Dear Sextant,

      I have lost all interest in sex. What do you recommend?



      Try changing your spark plugs. If that doesn't do it, perhaps a new air cleaner.

      A pleasure as always, thanks for stopping by and commenting Donna.

      Delete
    2. fiftyoddSeptember 4, 2015 at 12:15 PM

      Sextant, dear friend, I would like to read a post about some of your other interests.

      Delete
    3. SextantSeptember 4, 2015 at 12:23 PM

      fiftyodd,

      Alas, if I only had any.

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

      Delete
    4. fiftyoddNovember 12, 2015 at 9:32 AM

      Actually, you've made me want to dislodge that book about "...The art of Motor Cycle Maintenance..." from my bookshelf and give it another go. I only made about 4 chapters last time.

      Delete