Joshua Harris

Joshua Harris gained prominence in evangelical Christian circles as the author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" (1997), a highly influential book that shaped evangelical youth culture and promoted courtship over traditional dating. The book sold over 1.2 million copies worldwide and became a defining text of the Christian purity movement. Harris served as lead pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland from 2004 to 2015, heading one of the largest congregations within the Sovereign Grace Ministries network. Prior to his pastoral role, he published "New Attitude," a magazine for homeschooled youth, reflecting his own background as the child of prominent Christian homeschooling advocates. In 2018, Harris publicly renounced the ideas in "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and requested that the publisher cease printing the book. The following year, he announced his separation from his wife, departed from his Christian faith, and began openly questioning many of the religious and cultural movements he had previously championed. Before his dramatic shift away from evangelical Christianity, Harris authored several other books on Christian living and relationships, including "Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship" and "Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is)." His writing career and subsequent renunciation of his earlier work have made him a significant figure in discussions about evangelical purity culture and its impacts.

Readers point to Harris's "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" as significantly impacting evangelical Christian dating culture in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many credit the book for promoting courtship and helping them maintain sexual purity before marriage. Common praise: - Clear writing style and personal anecdotes - Biblical foundation for relationship advice - Practical guidelines for courtship Common criticism: - Created fear and shame around dating - Oversimplified complex relationship dynamics - Set unrealistic expectations for marriage - Later disavowed by Harris himself Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (1,000+ ratings) ChristianBook.com: 3.5/5 (150+ ratings) Many recent reviews reflect disappointment after Harris publicly renounced Christianity in 2019 and apologized for the book's impact. One Amazon reviewer notes: "The ideas seemed revolutionary at the time but caused more harm than good." A Goodreads user states: "Reading this again as an adult, I see how damaging this mindset was."

I Kissed Dating Goodbye (1997) A guide promoting courtship over traditional dating, advocating for strict physical and emotional boundaries in pre-marital relationships within a Christian framework.

Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship (2000) A practical follow-up book detailing the author's personal courtship story and providing specific guidelines for pursuing marriage-focused relationships.

Not Even a Hint: Guarding Your Heart Against Lust (2003) Later retitled as "Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is)," this book addresses sexual temptation and purity from a Christian perspective.

Stop Dating the Church (2004) Later retitled as "Why Church Matters," explores the importance of committed church membership and involvement in Christian community.

Dug Down Deep: Building Your Life on Truths That Last (2010) An exploration of Christian theological concepts and their practical application in daily life.

Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the Truth High Without Putting People Down (2013) A discussion of maintaining doctrinal beliefs while practicing humility and respect toward those with different views.

Elisabeth Elliot wrote extensively about Christian relationships and courtship, drawing from her missionary experiences and personal life journey. Her books "Passion and Purity" and "Quest for Love" address similar themes about dating and relationships from a Christian perspective.

Gary Thomas focuses on Christian marriage and relationships through a theological lens. His works "Sacred Marriage" and "The Sacred Search" examine spiritual aspects of romantic relationships and partner selection.

Eric Ludy writes about Christian romance and relationships with an emphasis on biblical principles. He and his wife Leslie co-authored multiple books about courtship and pure living in response to modern dating culture.

Rebecca St. James combines her background as a Christian musician with writing about purity and relationships. Her books "Wait for Me" and "Pure" present perspectives on abstinence and dating that align with evangelical teachings.

Donald Miller writes about Christian faith and relationships through personal narratives and memoir. His books "Blue Like Jazz" and "Searching for God Knows What" explore faith struggles and relationships within Christian culture.