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A match made in heavenAlone in churchA MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN This book is intended for singles. However, it is not referring to best ways to find a marriage partner, but on the relationship of singles with the local church. Often singles can feel lonely within their local church, with much being focused on the family, and the author sets out to show from Scripture this should not be the case. Miss Widder begins by referring to some church's 'incompatibility' between singles and families, pointing out that both marriage and singleness are equally valuable ways to serve God. She expounds on creation of Adam and Eve, the fall, redemption, the first and last Adams and finally a short study in heaven. There is a very useful chapter on loving singles, including giving practical examples of where churches can help those on their own. The final chapter looks at how singles can live in a way that meets the church's needs. On the negative side, the author is American and often looks at the American setting, e.g. how many UK churches have a singles Bible class, and on dating. She also has an exegesis of 1 Corinthians 7 which I did not find helpful, and within the text refers to Paul as a widower who at that point could live contentedly without a spouse. As there are few books with an in-depth study on singleness, this book is useful and easy to read. Some passages will encourage singles in places, e.g. because permanent singleness existed before the Fall and cannot be morally bad or wrong, and also to know that others feel the loneliness deeply. It could also be a helpful book for church officers in seeking to incorporate singles into the church family. Wendy Sheehan, © Evangelicals Now - August 2004 |