Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
As the title indicates, Elisabeth Elliot's book Passion & Purity discusses the reality of sexual passions under the lens of Biblical purity. Since the beginning of time, men and women have had sexual passions. Never does Elisabeth Elliot state that such passions are wrong. She believes them to be God-given and therefore a good thing. Rather than attacking the passions themselves as many skeptic readers would expect, she addresses the result of these passions.
In our "do what feels good" society, the words passion and purity do not belong together. If your sexual passions are stirred up, no one expects you to consider purity. You are expected to satisfy the appetite of your passions. This is the norm, not only for non-Christians, but also for many believers. Even for Christians who strive to keep their virginity, there is a disconnect. They see the point at which virginity is lost to be the moment you have had sex. Up to that point, you are free to act on your sexual drives with no consequence.
With this perspective, the line that can be approached but not crossed, people quickly lose sight of the original idea of virginity (that being the saving of your body for you future spouse). Instead it almost becomes a game. People go as far as they possibly can, no longer saving themselves. It is all for self-gratification. What they call "making love" does not involve love of any kind, for we know from the Bible that love is not selfish.
Throughout the book, Elisabeth Elliot describes her relationship with Jim Elliot. Two college kids, striving to stay pure while the burning desire for each other grew. But they both received a command from God: Wait! It was not that they were too young to marry. They were in fact quite ready (at least in the eyes of the world). But God had bigger plans. Though He did not reveal these plans to either Jim or Elisabeth, He was weaving them slowly in their lives. Elisabeth Howard in confusion, struggled to wait on God's timing. She knew He was in control, that He knew what He was doing, but still the questions of doubt rose in her mind. Wanting so much to be Jim Elliot's wife, yet not having any idea as to whether that would ever happen, she was forced to rely solely and wholly on God's grace, love, and mercy to sustain her each day.
Was this waiting period hard? Yes. Was it cruel of God to command this wait? No, on the contrary, it was out of love that he made them wait. He used the short term agony to grow them in their faith. Drawing them closer to their common goal (serving God with their all) they were better equip to face the struggles that accompany marriage. God uses such situations in all of our lives to grow us and prepare us for the future.
Elisabeth Elliot stresses the importance of putting your future in God's hands. Waiting with total dependence on Him is the first step towards controlling your passions with purity. The book is a real life example of the inner struggles of someone wanting to give their all to God, yet fighting the desire to plan their own life. This example shows us that it is possible for all of us to rely on God, trusting Him with our lives. This book is very much worth reading.
In our "do what feels good" society, the words passion and purity do not belong together. If your sexual passions are stirred up, no one expects you to consider purity. You are expected to satisfy the appetite of your passions. This is the norm, not only for non-Christians, but also for many believers. Even for Christians who strive to keep their virginity, there is a disconnect. They see the point at which virginity is lost to be the moment you have had sex. Up to that point, you are free to act on your sexual drives with no consequence.
With this perspective, the line that can be approached but not crossed, people quickly lose sight of the original idea of virginity (that being the saving of your body for you future spouse). Instead it almost becomes a game. People go as far as they possibly can, no longer saving themselves. It is all for self-gratification. What they call "making love" does not involve love of any kind, for we know from the Bible that love is not selfish.
Throughout the book, Elisabeth Elliot describes her relationship with Jim Elliot. Two college kids, striving to stay pure while the burning desire for each other grew. But they both received a command from God: Wait! It was not that they were too young to marry. They were in fact quite ready (at least in the eyes of the world). But God had bigger plans. Though He did not reveal these plans to either Jim or Elisabeth, He was weaving them slowly in their lives. Elisabeth Howard in confusion, struggled to wait on God's timing. She knew He was in control, that He knew what He was doing, but still the questions of doubt rose in her mind. Wanting so much to be Jim Elliot's wife, yet not having any idea as to whether that would ever happen, she was forced to rely solely and wholly on God's grace, love, and mercy to sustain her each day.
Was this waiting period hard? Yes. Was it cruel of God to command this wait? No, on the contrary, it was out of love that he made them wait. He used the short term agony to grow them in their faith. Drawing them closer to their common goal (serving God with their all) they were better equip to face the struggles that accompany marriage. God uses such situations in all of our lives to grow us and prepare us for the future.
Elisabeth Elliot stresses the importance of putting your future in God's hands. Waiting with total dependence on Him is the first step towards controlling your passions with purity. The book is a real life example of the inner struggles of someone wanting to give their all to God, yet fighting the desire to plan their own life. This example shows us that it is possible for all of us to rely on God, trusting Him with our lives. This book is very much worth reading.
2 comments:
Elliot's "Quest for Love" is sort of a follow up on Passion and Purity that I recently started. It's sort of a practical application using letters she has received over the years. You should read it as well when you get the chance.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try to get a hold of a copy.
Post a Comment