The Difference Between Biblical Dating And Modern Dating

Times have changed, we all know this. Thankfully, we live in a society where women have rights, men are permitted to shave their facial hair and most families are supported by dual incomes from equally responsible parents. Biblical dating may seem archaic to most but some snippets may still be relevant to modern dating.

The Approach

In biblical times, the man would approach a woman’s family to ask permission to begin courting. Arrangements were made under the express permission of the woman’s father who would dictate the terms and conditions of the courtship. Courtship was always done with the express intention of marriage between the couple.

In modern dating, a woman or man’s family is usually not even aware of who their child is dating before the relationship becomes serious. Women approach men and vice versa and there is certainly no intention to marry from the outset of the relationship. Where biblical and modern do become similar is when marriage becomes a reality. Traditionally, a man will approach his future bride’s father for permission to marry their daughter. In some cultures, the father may still refuse the union without consideration of his daughters’ emotional bond with their partner. For more on returning to courting over dating, Check out this article.

Sex

Sex was expressly forbidden before marriage in biblical times. Women were subjected to virginity testing before marriage and were considered impure or unclean if they did not have an intact hymen.

For most, modern-day dating means that sex is almost a foregone conclusion before marriage. People have put more of an emphasis on all-around compatibility with their prospective partner which includes sexual compatibility. Although there seem to be no ties between modern dating and biblical dating as far as sex is concerned, some couples still consciously refrain from sex before marriage.

The Church

Biblical marriages always included the church with the union being blessed by the religious leader. A relationship that was not permitted or vetoed by the church would simply not come to pass. Inter-religious marriages were unheard of.

Although some religions still do not allow inter-religious marriages, faith and religion no longer play an integral part in most relationships. Some couples choose to marry outside of faith entirely opting for a court marriage instead. For most, religion or lack thereof does not factor into dating at all but for some, a person’s faith or religious denomination is still a make or break deal.

Modern-day dating is very different to the courtship rituals of biblical times. The chances of finding a virginal man or woman are very slim within today’s hookup culture and for most, your first love will not be the person you marry. Certain modern cultural practices aside, choosing to adopt old rituals such as asking for your future brides’ hand in marriage from her partner, marrying in a place of worship or choosing to not engage in sex before marriage are all personal choices. Finding someone who is compatible and who shares the same values as you may be slightly more challenging but there is someone out there for everyone. You do you and your happily ever after will find you. GoMarry.com is the ultimate place for you if you want a long-term and serious relationship according to the rules set in the Holy Bible.