Beyond Awkward Side Hugs

December 2, 2019
Lea, leader of a women’s ministry in Northern California, offers a refreshing take on the dynamics of relationships between men and women. How can Christian men and women enjoy true friendships without sex getting in the way? Can singles be friends with married people? How do faithful people find purpose outside of their marital status? To answer these questions, Lea argues that Jesus established a family within the church, and men and women can enjoy healthy, nonromantic relationships if they simply learn to respect one another as Christian siblings. While little practical advice is offered, Lea maintains that society has become oversexualized and that Christians should, first and foremost, approach all relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ. Occasionally, she delves into translations from Ancient Greek to explain terms and concepts (including an illuminating section on the translation of adelphoi, or “brethren”) to offer clarity. Her humor and common sense lighten the sometimes charged subject matter throughout. Christians will find this a helpful resource for approaching relationships with the opposite sex.