7 Myths about Singleness

Single pastor Allberry addresses the need for understanding singleness from a biblical perspective in this welcoming debut. He explores reframing the negative connotations associated with being single by dispelling seven myths with Bible references and personal reflections. Responses to myths such as “singleness wastes your sexuality” and “singleness is too hard” are delivered in blunt fashion with Bible verses about Jesus demanding celibacy from the unmarried and how following Jesus’s commandments as a single person can be fulfilling. Marriage and singlehood are compared repeatedly as Allberry expresses the need for couples and individuals to embrace each other’s roles within the church family and one another’s lives by sharing in the spiritual parenting of children, emphasizing platonic intimacy in friendship, and being open to honest discussion. “Singleness, like marriage, is a good thing. It needs to be received appropriately and held in biblical perspective. When we honor it, as God intends us to, as a good gift, then we won’t presume it needs some spiritual superpower to make it bearable.” Allberry also candidly discusses insecurities, fears, and struggles surrounding seemingly trivial things like coming home to an empty house, attending an event alone and external expectations in life. This candid, accessible work will help Christian readers and communities think about the merits of being unmarried. (Mar.)