Singles at the Crossroads: A Fresh Perspective on Christian Singleness

Rating:
Summary: best in breadth and depth overall on the subject
Review: Dear friends of singles and singles. First things, though I read the Amazon reviews and use Amazon lots, and have thought of writing a review, this is the first I have written, ever. Why? Because, after countless discussion on singleness and marriage with folks, God and myself, I have found Hsu's book to be the most well-rounded and comprehensive, taking into account the breadth, depth and width of the worldwide and historical Church/Body of Christ, though clearly evangelical. After working with college campus ministry for 8 years, teaching college students 8 years, and teaching secondary for 6 years, this issue is very much discussed, debated even. And after living overseas for 6 years and visiting a dozen plus nations and the ethnicities, languages, ideas, religions, pedagogies, denominations, worship styles, theologies, etc., I realize in a much more profound way how so much of who I am and what I think is very much a construct of the culture and subcultures I am and were a part of. Short of it: all of us wear tainted lenses (though we seldom see it--"the fish never thinks of the water he is in" !!!), Hsu helped me to see that (though not his goal I am sure) and thus a fresh "perspective" on singleness/celibacy/chastity and I stand once again in wonder at Christ the Creator's diversity, greatness and goodness for all of us, single or married, and His Kingdom Will.

Rating:
Summary: best in breadth and depth overall on the subject
Review: Dear friends of singles and singles. First things, though I read the Amazon reviews and use Amazon lots, and have thought of writing a review, this is the first I have written, ever. Why? Because, after countless discussion on singleness and marriage with folks, God and myself, I have found Hsu's book to be the most well-rounded and comprehensive, taking into account the breadth, depth and width of the worldwide and historical Church/Body of Christ, though clearly evangelical. After working with college campus ministry for 8 years, teaching college students 8 years, and teaching secondary for 6 years, this issue is very much discussed, debated even. And after living overseas for 6 years and visiting a dozen plus nations and the ethnicities, languages, ideas, denominations, worship styles, theologies, etc., I realize in a much more profound way how so much of who I am and what I think is very much a construct of the culture and subcultures I am and were a part of. Short of it: all of us wear tainted lenses (though we seldom see it--"the fish never thinks of the water he is in" !!!), Hsu helped me to see that (though not his goal I am sure), and I stand in wonder at Christ the Creator's diversity, greatness and goodness for all of us, single or married, and His Kingdom Will.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read For ALL Pastors & Single Adult Ministry Leaders
Review: I have been involved in Singles Ministry for 26 years & found this book to contain more truth concerning the subject of singles than any other resource I have ever seen. It is well researched & documented to expose doctrinal errors that have locked singles into destructive patterns which hinder them from serving God with their whole hearts. He presents perfectly balanced, theologically sound, teaching concerning the choices facing singles. He has given the choice of singleness the respect it deserves while still valuing marriage as the gift it is. Any single who understands and lives by the principles presented by Hsu, then later chooses to marry, will have a healthier marriage than anyone without this understanding. This is without a doubt my #1 recommended book for our singles.

Rating:
Summary: Thought-Provoking Insights on Christian Singleness
Review: I know it has been said before, but "Finally a book that puts Christian singleness in the right perspective! " I read this book several months ago, and I am still pondering its meaning in my life. I know that God is calling me to be single for a long time, because He has something in store for me that a married person cannot do. Hsu really opened my eyes about what it means to be single, and God really used him to speak to me about His will. Hsu has so many good, Biblical insights on Christian singleness, that I would encourage everyone, single or married to read this book. From pointing out singles in the Bible to sharing about his single friends to relating his own personal stories, Hsu helps his readers to understand that God DOES call some people to be single, and that this call is not something to dread, but to embrace.

Rating:
Summary: Thought-Provoking Insights on Christian Singleness
Review: I know it has been said before, but "Finally a book that puts Christian singleness in the right perspective! " I read this book several months ago, and I am still pondering its meaning in my life. I know that God is calling me to be single for a long time, because He has something in store for me that a married person cannot do. Hsu really opened my eyes about what it means to be single, and God really used him to speak to me about His will. Hsu has so many good, Biblical insights on Christian singleness, that I would encourage everyone, single or married to read this book. From pointing out singles in the Bible to sharing about his single friends to relating his own personal stories, Hsu helps his readers to understand that God DOES call some people to be single, and that this call is not something to dread, but to embrace.

Rating:
Summary: I wish I had this book before I got married
Review: I read this book several years ago and thought that Al had read my bio. He's got it right (at least for me.) Try this one because it's not like the others - it's real life.

Rating:
Summary: Yay
Review: If you are single and Christian, read this book when you graduate from high school and again at the end of every decade of your life. Yay.

Rating:
Summary: Minivan drivers need not apply
Review: If you ever felt a little out of place because you were not a part of the minivan crowd, "Singles at the Crossroads" is for you. You know how sometimes you wonder where in the Bible it says "Salvation is only for those whose live's emulated Ozzie and Harriet?" Albert Hsu knows that feeling. Okay, so maybe he doesn't use the minivan or Ozzie Nelson metaphor, but he does make the very strong point that our relationship with Jesus Christ is what really matters.

Rating:
Summary: God's Will is what is best for us
Review: This book is challenging. Singles at the crossroads illuminates the issue of marriage & Christianity. Many singles feel marginalized from the culture of heavy emphasis on the physical family.

Hsu gives honest insight into the possibility of living a celibate life in serving God. Indeed we are all part of God's kingdom. I really liked how he explained how people who do choose to lead celibate lives do experience the same yearnings & desires as anybody else & how honest & open communication with God about these desires is what God wants of us. This book goes over some of the advantages & disadvantages of both being Celibate and being Married.

Indeed this book is also useful to those who want to be married since it serves as a reminder that we have to follow God's will above all else & that God's Will is for us to love him above all else.

Personally I have always held the desire for marriage very highly. I found myself loving others more than I loved God. This book challenged me to follow God's will, & serve Him as my greatest desire. Instead of asking to meet my future wife, I now ask God for Faith & the desire to follow his will no matter what it is because that is what is best for me.

This book also devotes a couple chapters to giving statistics (they are surprising & relevant). I think this book has substance since it served as a part of a catalyst for much growth in my faith.

Rating:
Summary: An Academic Review of the Christian Single Experience
Review: When I first saw the title of this book, I was delighted. As a young single man, I've read many books and have written on the subject. As an academic read, it is a phenomenal book but as an inspirational how-to, it falls a little short.

I agree with Hsu's basic premise. There is a subtle prejudice against single people in the church. They are often viewed incomplete without a spouse. Who hasn't heard the patronizing, "We've got to find you someone" as if nothing a single person does is credible until he becomes married. It is very hard to be taken serious in your Christian life if you are not married. Sometimes marriage isn't just a facet of the Chrsitian life--it is made to be the only thing in the Christian life. Hsu does a good job of echoing the frustrations of single believers who wish to be taken seriously and are (God forbid) content to wait for the right person.

Singles at the Crossroads is light on inspiration and anedotes and heavy on statistics. It's more of a "Leading Indicators of the Single Life." Hsu may go a tad overboard with his overly academic approach. Plowing through the research may grow cumbersome. A little less Gallup poll and a little more Max Lucado would make this book an easier read.

When you do get to Hsu's point of view, he leans heavily toward singleness. Singles shouldn't be pressured into marriage, but I don't think they shouldn't be pressured not to marry if it is the right situation and God has his hand on the relationship.

For a young inattentive reader, I would suggest Joshua Harris' two classics: I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Boy Meets Girl. They are filled with real-world anecdotes. For an academic overview of the Christian single experience, Hsu's book fits the bill.

Though slightly cumbersome, Hsu's book addresses the needs of an increasingly growing evangelical demographic, provoking much needed dialogue about the mystery of dating and mating.