The Relationship Revolution (Nigel D. Pollock, 248.83 POL)

Reviewed by Goh Yiling (9 Feb 09)

As the title of this book suggests, it is about human relationships, and specifically Boy-Girl-Relationships (BGR).

The Relationships Revolution actually came about as a result of a group of Christian American university students who regularly met up to discuss the issues and complexities of BGR, as well as provide support for one another. As such, the book is interspersed with real-life case studies from young men and women who faced different struggles. I found these particularly helpful as they provided earnest, down-to-earth insights into the lives of young adults, not unlike myself.

Though much of the book is devoted to the often confusing issue of how a young Christian couple should handle themselves and their relationship, the later chapters tackle other related topics. These range from singleness to ‘taboo’ topics such as homosexuality. One memorable line from Pollock about the ‘stigma’ of being single, is “…I don’t know where this ‘shelf’ is, but I would rather be left on the shelf than locked in the wrong cupboard”. I couldn’t help smiling … I had never looked at it from that perspective before.

Although the Bible doesn’t have any exact rules for dating or courtship (‘dating’ didn’t exist in Jesus’ time), God has given us guidelines and instructions on how a man should treat his lady, and vice versa, in ways that would honour God.

So for all you Christian youths and young adults out there, whether you’re in a relationship or not, I would recommend 'The Relationships Revolution' …a practical and very readable guide to what the Bible says about finding true love, combined with the experiences of other youngsters. Although the context is slightly more Western, the overall theme of finding and sharing love, is universal.

In a similar vein, I would also like to recommend another book which I recently read. It is called Love’s Rough Journeys, by David W.F. Wong, a local pastor and marriage counselor who has counseled hundreds of couples in his many years as a pastor. This highly engaging book of ten short stories, chronicles the different challenges faced by 10 couples on their road to marriage. This book is available at Reads (Index 249 WON).