This was an extremely helpful read! Every Christian should read this book, married or single. It would do a world of practical good for all pastors to read this and better understand how to connect with singles in their congregation.

Allberry candidly and graciously explains the purpose of marriage and singleness and how both can and should point to ultimate fulfillment in Christ. He doesn't shy away from acknowledging the tough realities we experience whether married or single. He brings the reader back to Christ on every page and shows how God's view of singleness is so much bigger and more profound than our typical view here on earth.

This book is incredibly encouraging, challenging, and relatable. Allberry puts into words the hard things that many of us singles struggle with on a daily basis. I found it eye-opening in so many ways as my perspective on marriage and friendship was broadened, understanding God's intention for marriage and relationships and how they point to ultimate saving redemption, satisfaction, enjoyment, and fulfillment in Christ alone.

Of course, there is a stigma about being single; that you do not like the opposite sex, and things like that. It is not true; this is a great book on understanding that and being free in the Lord and being single and being who the Lord made you to be; 1 Corinthians states that being single could be God's plan for you! You can do more in the kingdom. But make sure that is his plan; read 1 Corinthians chapter 7 and memorize it if possible.

In "7 Myths about Singleness," Sam Allberry tackles common misconceptions that discourage the status of being an unmarried Christian. Allberry, a single pastor, shares from his personal and ministry experience how singleness is often maligned and responds with biblical and logical arguments. The first myth is that singleness is too hard thus marriage is the only godly alternative. However, the author argues that having a marriage and family present a different set of circumstances that are just as challenging such as parenting tasks and marital strife. The second myth is that singleness requires a special calling which Allberry counters by pointing out that every individual is single at one point or another so calling singleness a unique gift to a specific group of believers would be illogical. Moreover, singleness is not a problem that needs to be fixed in deficient believers but a good gift for all believers to serve God wholeheartedly. Next, the author discusses how single life is portrayed as living a life devoid of intimacy. Allberry contends that intimacy is found not only in marriage as he details the many experiences with friends and their families over the years in which closeness and openness are celebrated. In a similar trajectory, the author also argues against the notion that being single means having no family to enjoy life with. Allberry notes how Christians are all one family in Christ as the household of God regardless of their marital status. In addition, Allberry discusses the misconception that married staff members are more desirable than single ones. From his own experience, the author shares how being unmarried allows him to be more available, open, and neutral in responding to his congregation's needs. The sixth myth concerns the idea that being single means that one's sexuality is wasted. However, the author points out that sexuality, in a greater sense, is a sign that points to the marriage between Christ and His church. Thus, singles testify through their sexual purity the ultimate goodness of this future consummation of which all Christians take part. The final myth is that singleness is easy as compared to the worries and difficulties of married life. In response to this, the author argues that singleness has numerous practical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that make it no easier than marriage. In the concluding section, Allberry emphasizes that the most important pursuit of a Christian is not being married or being single but to strive for greater satisfaction and abundance in Christ.

I gladly recommend this book to all single believers and even to married couples hoping to minister to singles in their churches. As compared to the many books on marriage, there are much fewer books on singleness let alone one written by a single pastor. Many Christians view singleness as a problem to be fixed but Allberry argues that singleness is a gift to be embraced. Much like any other title or status we may enjoy during our earthly lives, being unmarried or married is only temporary as compared to our future eternal state before God. Instead of focusing on how to get married or stay single, we should encourage all Christians to live according to their current status as God has foreordained in His wisdom. Although Christian singles may struggle with feelings of loneliness and fear, the solution is not to get married but to find refuge in Christ alone. As Allberry points out, the primary focus of our lives should be to grow in our love and thirst for more of Christ.

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, I was provided a review copy of this book from Crossway.

This book makes some very good points comparing married life to single life. It leaves some questions unanswered but all in all it is worth reading. Although I am not a lesbian, gay or transgender, I felt the author was un-godly in his views of them. I do know gay and lesbian people and I believe they would be offended by his views on them. Our God is a loving father and Christians have been told not to judge others which I believe the author does.