I thought we were way past the “Courtship vs. Dating” debates.
I seriously did! I thought that was old news, that we’d laid to rest the “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” era, and moved on to new topics.
But apparently, I was wrong. Maybe you’ve noticed, but the Courtship movement is recently receiving some major attention from both national television and recent entertainment. To be honest, I have no problem with Courtship. I am not putting down the concept of courtship, and I never will. The truth is, different personalities need different approaches to relationships. And for some people, Courtship is what works!
My only problem comes, then, with how “Dating” gets compared to “Courtship” in such a flawed and negative way. As far as the Courtship movement is concerned, saying that you’re in a “dating” relationship is almost like declaring out loud that you’re living in sin.
I was looking up some of the so-called differences between “Courtship” and “Dating”, and to be honest, I was totally offended.
Here’s what this particular source stated:
“The main difference between dating and courtship involves the goals to be reached by spending time with a potential marriage partner. Men and women who choose to date often have no commitment to consider marrying the other person. Maturity and readiness for marriage are not considerations in the decision to date. Instead, couples usually date with the selfish goals of having fun and enjoying romantic attachments.
In contrast, courtship is undertaken only when both parties are prepared to make a commitment to marriage.
Dating tries to answer the question, How can I find the one who will make me happy? Courtship strives to answer the question, How can I honor God and discern His direction regarding my life partner?”
Wait, what?!
Is it just me, or does this definition make it sound like dating is for heathens, pagans, and people who have no regard for God’s will in their life? As though anyone who chooses dating is selfish, impulsive, immature, and have no understanding of commitment and absolutely no boundaries.
I totally rebel against this mentality. Maybe I’m reading into this, but I think the strong reaction I am having to this definition is because it’s not just words on a page for me, it’s something I actually experienced for a time within the context of the Church. I don’t point the finger at any Church in particular, nor do I blame any particular Church Leader. But somehow, this collective opinion was normalized from the books, sermons, talks, messages, attitudes, and opinions that came my way as a young Christian woman.
You see, for so many years, I was taught that “Dating” was the enemy. That it was “practice for divorce”. That it was for people who weren’t “waiting on God” but rather taking life into their own hands. And God forbid I would ever do anything like that!
I was a young woman who wanted to please God with all of my heart. And so, for a time, those Courtship scare-tactics totally worked! For many years, I didn’t date AT ALL – partly because I wanted to be in God’s will, but mostly because I WAS TERRIFIED SICK OF RELATIONSHIPS!
I was afraid of messing up. I was afraid of divorce. I was afraid of taking my life into my own hands.
And God knows I’m not alone with this! In fact, just today, with the words to this article still spinning around in my head, I got an email from a young woman that said this,
“I’m 32 years old and have never been in a romantic relationship because I bought into the ideal that true love doesn’t date. What I have come to understand is that God works differently with different people and that He has used my stance to further His purpose for my life. Reading your book helped me to realize that dating in and of itself isn’t wrong.”
I completely understand what this young woman is saying, because it also took some serious work and one particular “near-marriage” mistake to finally free my mind and heart to allow God to work in my life how HE WANTED, instead of HOW I WANTED HIM TO.
And in my life, GOD USED DATING *gasp*. Not causal relationships, not sex before marriage, not immature flings, and not all those other false definitions that get pushed as the enemy; but simply, dating.
Dating with boundaries, dating with purpose, dating with intent.
I learned that there WAS a way to honor God in my relationships with the opposite sex, and it didn’t necessarily involve side-hugs, chaperons, a commitment to marriage before the first date, or even the no-kissing-before-marriage rule (though these are all fine goals to have so long as God puts them on your heart!).
I learned that healthy people make healthy relationships.
What I am saying here, is that maybe the Church at large (and some groups more than others) need to stop pushing courtship and consider that there are truly other ways to honor God in relationships. Here’s why:
1. Because courtship isn’t for everyone. Just like different personalities respond to different kinds of music, food, hobbies, and career goals – we’re all wired to respond differently to relationships. Some of us thrive under strict rules, regulations and expectations; while others of us implode, rebel, or feel paralyzed under the weight of the confinement. All that to say is that there is no cookie-cutter answer for relationships. As long as we stick to God’s principles and deal with one another in a God-honoring way, we have the freedom to pursue relationships in the way that works best for each of us.
2. Because courtship has it’s cons, too. Sometimes courtship is presented as the “best way to do relationships”. But I don’t think that’s true. Because, no matter how you look at it, one person’s pro is another person’s con. The pros found in the security of “moving only toward marriage”, are the potential cons of premature emotional entanglement and potentially devastating heart-break when things don’t pan out as planned. The pros found in the safety of zero physical intimacy before marriage, are the potential cons of guilt, shame, and awkwardness in sexuality after marriage. The pros of extremely involved family and friends in courtship, are the potential cons of a lack of boundaries within marriage. For each pro, there is a potential con depending on who you are and how you approach relationships. Healthy relationships aren’t about eliminating cons, because that’s not possible, but instead, they are about making the most of our interactions with the opposite sex by doing them in a way that leaves us with no regrets. And believe it or not, you CAN DATE with no regrets.
3. Because it’s not ALL or NOTHING: We tend to talk about dating like it’s the “bad” way to do relationships: casual sex, zero commitment, no boundaries; whereas courtship is the “better way”: definite commitment, marriage-focus, and safe rules. But the problem with that mentality is that it leaves so many people out! It’s not one way or the other when it comes to relationships. There is a middle ground! What about those people who want to honor God and feel left out of both groups? What if you’re not ready to “kiss dating goodbye”, but you’re also sick and tired of how the world views relationships? Christians need to stop pushing Courtship because there is another way to honor God with your life and with your dating relationships, and it’s found within the context of personal health, wisdom, balance, and good relationship choices (that’s what True Love Dates is all about!!)
4. Because courtship isn’t the “only way”: I think the conversation of dating vs. courtship needs to be more about what works for each individual, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach upon everyone. Courtship can’t be the only way because it really comes down to pursuing relationships in the way that God calls us to, rather than simply in the way we’re told.
I think of the hundreds of men and women I know whose stories may have broken the mold of tradition or culture, but who never broke the calling of God on their lives because their stories were part of a bigger plan. A plan that trumps the debate of “courtship” or “dating” but that asks each of us to move into relationships with wisdom, godliness, and nothing short of God’s leading in our lives.
So, let’s stop pushing courtship or any other “formula” for that matter, because at the end of the day there’s no cookie-cutter way to do relationships. There is only a God who calls us to love him with all of our hearts, and to learn to love others as we love ourselves.
Within that calling there is GREAT freedom in relationships, but with great freedom, always comes GREAT responsibility. Whether courtship, dating, or something else- may God give us the wisdom to pursue relationships however He has called us to – but always with wisdom, love, and holiness.
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Debra Fileta is a Professional Counselor, speaker, and author of the book True Love Dates: Your Indispensable Guide to Finding the Love of Your Life as well as the 21-Days To JumpStart Your Love-Life Program, where she writes candidly about dating, relationships, and how to find true love. You may also recognize her voice from her 100+ articles at Relevant Magazine or Crosswalk.com! She’s also the creator of the True Love Dates Blog! Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter!
