Why Can't We Be Friends? Avoidance Is Not Purity

The church stands firm against culture on many issues of sexuality . . . but misses this one!

Society says we are merely sexual beings and should embrace this, and in the church we use this same view as an excuse to distrust and avoid each other! We shy away from healthy friendship, and even our siblingship in Christ, in the name of purity and reputation . . . but is this what we are called to do?

Aimee Byrd reminds us that the way to stand against culture is not by allowing it to drive us apart—it is by seeking the brother-and-sister closeness we are privileged to have as Christians. Here is a plan for true, godly friendship between the sexes that embraces the family we truly are in Christ and serves as the exact witness the watching world needs.

“To be honest, I hate that this book had to be written. But since it is undeniably necessary, I am so thankful that Aimee Byrd took up the task. She writes not merely from experience but with a deep theological orientation and informed pastoral concerns. She reminds Christians to be less influenced by When Harry Met Sally... than they are by Jesus and Paul.

Too often as Christians we actually sound no different from non-Christians in our assumptions. Why can’t we—as the household of God—be courageous in our concern, affectionate in our love, and wise in our practices? Rather than being driven by fear, let’s follow biblical expectations for what it means to be in the family of God.

Thankfully, Aimee calls us to be faithful siblings who are soaked in the love of the Father, strengthened by Christ our elder brother, and empowered in the Spirit of holiness. By God’s grace, let us learn to live more like a healthy family.”

—Kelly M. Kapic, Professor of Theological Studies, Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Georgia; Author, Embodied Hope

View an excerpt here