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Summary: A guidebook on the right way to find a mate
Review: I first read this book in my early teens, before I'd ever done any real dating. I kept going back to it, both when someone of the opposite sex was interesting me, or when down about there being no one in the picture. She offers a lot of very practical sound advice as to how to go about dating in the right way. I also found it extremely valuable when I realized that I was single, out of college, and had NO prospects on the horizon. I was able to accept that I didn't need to worry about that. God would find me a spouse, so I didn't have to. And that's exactly what He did.Some have suggested that her personal experience was too different from most people's to be applicable. To anyone with such a perspective, I would suggest that you are reading it all wrong! I don't think Elisabeth Elliot would suggest that everyone needs to have a Jim and Elisabeth duplication in their own lives before marrying. She offers principles that apply regardless of your personal circumstances. A couple of very valuable highlights that stand out to me, years after getting married. Her chapter on "What can a kiss tell you?" was really right on. Physical communication is tempting, but actually, it shuts down the more important forms of communication for finding Mr. Right, and can actually give you a lot of regret. I also valued the romance in Jim's perspective when he wrote to her, "I have you now unravished." He was grateful to look forward to the time when physical intimacy was right, and to leave something to look forward to! That is so completely romantic, and I think it is almost tragic that in today's society, that romance is almost unheard of. People take what isn't theirs don't relish the anticipation of getting it AT THE PROPER TIME. My husband and I went about it that way, and I found it very romantic, both the anticipation of the consumation of my marriage, as well as when that actually took place. I wouldn't have wanted to have cheated myself out of that beautiful memory! Old fashioned? I suppose it is. Relevant and needed in this day and age? Absolutely. When you put your love life in God's hands, that is a safe place to leave it.
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Summary: As relevant now as then
Review: Until "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" hit the evangelical Christian scene, "Passion & Purity" was the de facto standard for dating and marriage. And while the former book has gathered more press, Elliot's is still as useful and has stood the test of time. Having read some of the one and two star reviews here, I would simply say that virginity, making sure one's relationships are upright, asking serious questions about the worthiness of a potential mate, surrendering one's sexuality to God, dealing with loneliness, and knowing how to die to self daily are practices and beliefs that never go out of style. Frankly, I believe this book has as much to offer as anything out there. That it is coming up on twenty years in the market does not diminish the power of the words contained inside. With the rampant promiscuity among young people, even those who claim the name of Christ, and the fallout that results in young lives because of a shattered soul given away in pieces to one sex partner after another, "Passion & Purity" still calls to all who will hear. As for me, I heeded the words of the author as a young man and was able to hold on amidst the storm of sexual imagery and waning morality. This book was invaluable in that regard, helping me to see that I was not my own - I was bought with a price. How could I trample on that price? Let me also say that after reading this book, I wrote Elisabeth Elliot and she wrote me a very kind and thoughful reply. If there is anything anochronistic about the author and her views, I will take her position any time. I mean, when was the last time an author personally responded to a letter you wrote? It just doesn't happen anymore. If you are struggling with your sexuality, your dating life, and your desires for marriage, by all means read "Passion & Purity". It helped me. It can help you, as well.
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Summary: I'm a sucker for God-centered relationships
Review: I purchased and read this book during a flurry of trying to understand how dating and the like play themselves out in the context of godly living. Like I said in the title, I'm a sucker for God-centered relationships, and I would venture to say that there aren't very many that look[ed] like Jim and Elisabeth's. I think that one of the interesting points to note is that through the lense of Elisabeth Eliot's persona, you're given a glimpse of who Jim Eliot was, and it is absolutely wonderful to see how human he actually was!:-). I think that a lot of my views of dating (that might not be so coherent with this book) have changed through various circumstances after objective thought on fellowship and relationships and the like. However, this book (even if you don't agree with the form the two lovers pursued) sets forth sound, biblical principles that can help to fuel your pursuit of understanding of how your relationship(s) fit into God's plan for His glory. Elisabeth Eliot is bold in giving us a feel for her emotions, struggles, and frustrations - which is what makes this book a great resource in pursuing humble commitment to God's passion for His own exaltation. You see the love for Christ that these two [eventual Elliot's] have, and yet you see how they battle through those things that might conflict with their love for Him. If you like biographical type writings and don't mind having your thoughts and concepts pricked a bit, then pick this book up. If for nothing else, it's a very easy read as well.
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Summary: Go Get Your Highlighters
Review: This book had so much solid information, I will definitely be reading it again in the future! When I started the book, I didn't know how Elliot could possibly write 188 pages about purity in relationships. By the time I closed the book, I knew I had enough facts to live my life on! Elliot uses the story of the relationship she had with her first husband to encourage readers to be pure in their relationships with the opposite sex and with God. For Elliot, purity does not merely mean chastity, although that is a key element. Purity reveals itself as selflessness in relationships, fulfillment by God before man, patience, and many other important lifestyle characteristics. While many nonfiction books draw me closer to the author, this book drew me closer to God. Of the many things that God taught me through the book, one thing that I gleaned was this: contrary to the world's thought process, singleness is a FREEDOM to serve God without distraction, not an obligation (page 57). Also, God showed me that a man who is "prepared to swim against the tide" is the only kind of man worth waiting for (page 129). This book has so much to teach, I recommend that you get your own to read and keep a highlighter nearby so that you can highlight everything that sticks out to you; you'll be glad you did in the end.
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Summary: passion and purity can go together
Review: For years, I have known about Elizabeth Elliott and listened to her on the radio. So often, she just seemed so unreal to me. Too strong. Too unwavering. Too committed. Too Christian. Even though I greatly respected her thoughts, opinions and sound biblical advice, but still she didn't seem like the normal day to day Christian and if I did compare myself to her, I would fall far below on the totem pole. What impressed me so much about this book starts with the title, "Passion AND Purity." For the first few chapters, I kept reading the book thinking the title was really "Passion TO Purity" or "Passion OR Purity." As Elizabeth delved deeper into her feelings about what she was going through and shared her intimate thoughts and Jim's, I began to see the reality of the real title. Passion and Purity can be attainable together when Christ is the one WE desire to be in control above our own earthly desires. This book helped me to see Elizabeth Elliott and Jim Elliott as real human people with longings and desires and frustrations that come in life when not only wondering WHO one may share his/her life with but what is God's plan for ME. I now have a totally different and more realistic view of this woman and am grateful that she shared her and Jim's story. The part of the book that really stood out was when Elizabeth talks about when things are not going the way WE think that they should, we tend to look at everything else so differently. Things, events, people, etc. that would bring a more favorable reaction or response from us are cheated because we get so caught up in what we desire and when it isn't going our way, we end up hurting a lot of innocent bystanders (the boss yells at you, you come home and kick the dog type of deal). We don't get any joy about a sunny day because so and so hasn't asked us out or didn't notice me...you know what I mean. It is so true and then precious time is wasted and people are hurt. God's way is the best way. We can continue to argue this and get mad and I praise Elizabeth Elliott for not being afraid to take a stand. Thanks, Elizabeth!
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested by weaving Jim and Elisabeth's love story throughout the book, while at the same time giving solid Biblical principles for relationships, or even life in general, along the way. I can't say I had a favorite chapter, but I really liked 38 and 39, talking about trusting God's plan through hard times and loving as 1 Cor. 13 requires. Elisabeth stresses the principles, not the specific rules, allowing each individual to apply the book to her own relationship.
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Summary: Great look on keeping Purity in your love life!
Review: Passion and Purity is a great book about Elisabeth Elliot's own love story. It showed how to maintain purity in relationships. She gives reasons why purity must be maintained and why it should be our highest goal. Her book combines her love story with letters and conversations with her readers and the advice she gives them. Overall it is an excellent book that challenges you to strive for purity in dating relationships and to bring God glory in your love life.
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Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I am now reading this book for the third time and I highly recommend it. Elizabeth Elliot truly understands what it is like to seek God's will and to be afraid that His will is not your will. She shares her own thoughts and feelings from when she was a young, single girl, seeking God's will for her future. She really makes this book feel personal and allows God to speak through her.
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Summary: one of the best relationship books
Review: I read both of Joshua Harris' books, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Boy meets Girl". While they are good books (and address some issues that relate more to our society), they can't hold a candle to "Passion and Purity". Elizabeth Elliot writes from a lifetime (and 3 husbands..the first two died) of experience in relationships. Her personal story is touching and inspiring and teaches some good principles. While my first reaction to the concept of the "passive" woman was one of outrage, upon further readings in other books as well as the Bible, I believe that she has a point: feminism goes too far. A man is a man, and a woman is a woman...there are real and profound differences. We women must also keep in mind that Ms. Elliot had an ideal relationship. Her husband was a very Godly man with many leadership qualities and a great deal of strength that fits Ms. Elliot's passive-initiative mindset perfectly. But in our day and age, such men are rare. Women are obliged to grab the steering wheel when no one else is driving. And after all, it is obvious that Ms. Elliot is herself a very strong woman with strong opinions. All said, this is a good book with many sound principles. I believe that the main (and most important) point in the book was the unconditional surrender of our own desires to God's Will. Ms. Elliot's story of romance, endurance and patience illustrates this submission to God beautifully.
Rating: 
Summary: dated but sometimes useful
Review: My first impression when I look through this book (or anything on the Elliots' love story) is how unfair Jim was to Elisabeth, whether it seemed that way to her or not. For instance, she says, "Unless a man is prepared to ask a woman to be his wife, what right has he to claim her exclusive attention? If, when the time has come for a commitment, he is not man enough to ask her to marry him, she should give him no reason to presume that she belongs to him" (p. 153). Now compare that to her knight-in-shining-armor who told her he loved her and would marry her if God let him . . . and kept her waiting FIVE YEARS. OK, maybe God didn't give him freedom to marry her--then he had no business telling her he wanted to! The book, though indeed "old-fashioned," has a lot of advice people would be wise to follow, particularly its insistence on women not chasing men. It feels wiser to me now than it did when I read it in my twenties, but I am once again saddened by the love story it is built on and by a boyfriend/husband who seemed self-centered and selfish. (It also is odd that a woman who has been married thrice and widowed twice would keep returning to her first marriage for story material! That seems to put her current husband far more in the "background" of her life than her beliefs recommend.)
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