Singled Out: Why Celibacy Must Be Reinvented in Today's Church
Authors Christine Colón and Bonnie Field thought that by a
certain age they would each be married. But they watched that age
come and go--and still no walks down the aisle.
In Singled Out, they reflect on their experience--and that
of an increasing number of Christians. Rejecting overly simplistic
messages from the church about "waiting for marriage," they explore
a deeper understanding of celibacy that affirms singles' decision
to be sexually pure, acknowledges their struggles, and recognizes
their importance in the church community.
Thoughtful and accessible, Singled Out is an invaluable
voice of realistic encouragement for any single as well as an
important tool for church leaders and others concerned with mission
and ministry for singles.
From the Back Cover
Christine Colon and Bonnie Field thought that by a certain age
they would each be married. But they watched that age come and
go--and still no walk down the aisle. In Singled Out, they
reflect on their experience and that of an increasing number of
Christians. From the secular world and the evangelical church,
singles are bombarded with negative images of celibacy. Here, Colon
and Field explore a deeper understanding of celibacy that affirms
singles' decision to be sexually pure, acknowledges their
struggles, and recognizes their importance in the church
community.
"This book should be required reading for every adult Christian not
yet (and perhaps never to be) married. Use it as an antidote to
others' expectations for your life. I love how Colon and Field have
resurrected St. Paul's teaching to the church in Corinth--that
marriage, family, and singleness are all callings from God, and
that ultimately, following Christ trumps them all."--Jon M.
Sweeney, author of Cloister Talks: Learning from My Friends
the Monks
"Finally--a whole book dedicated to redeeming and
reclaiming celibacy for people aged 30 and beyond! Colon and Field
offer a refreshing critique of stilted messages in the media and in
our churches and call us to challenge assumptions that one needs to
be married to be a happy, well-adjusted contributor to society. I
recommend it to anyone (married or not) wanting to take singleness
and celibacy seriously."--Lisa Graham McMinn, George Fox
University, author of Sexuality and Holy Longing: Embracing
Intimacy in a Broken World
"Colon and Field let the issue of abstinence graduate
from the youth group and move on to the sanctuary and the bedroom,
the pages of church history, and the screens of our current
entertainment media. I'm so grateful they acknowledge that honest,
intelligent conversation about singles and sexuality requires not
just three simple words--'just say no,' 'true love waits'--but more
words like those found on the 256 pages they've thoughtfully penned
here."--Camerin Courtney, senior editor of Today's
Christian Woman and author of Table for One
Product Details
- Title : Singled Out: Why Celibacy Must Be Reinvented in Today's Church
- Authors:
- Colón, Christine
- Field, Bonnie
- Publisher: Brazos Press
- Publication Date: 2009
- ISBN: 9781441204288
Christine A. Colón (PhD, University of California at Davis) is associate professor of English at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She has published articles in Women's Writing, Renascence, and Brontë Studies as well as in several volumes of collected essays. Bonnie E. Field is an educational consultant and curriculum specialist who lives in Dallas, Georgia. She has also taught English at Arizona College of the Bible and Wayland Baptist University.