When it comes to Christian purity books, there seem to be two categories: The impure "purity" books, and the fluffy purity books.
Since the first group believes "knowledge is power," the aim is to inform the reader in great detail about every kind of impurity on the market. Rather than being equipped to deal with living in our sex-saturated culture, though, the reader only comes away with step-by-step instructions of what not to do. It's about as affective as an anti-drug campaign that teaches kids how to make homemade narcotics.
On the other side of the purity books scale, the goal is to show how romantic purity can be, rather than how painful, devastating and destructive impurity always is. They promise their readers a "happily ever after" if they'll just follow God's plan for their love life and relationships. Purity then, sadly, becomes a means to an end—a happy marriage and romantic bliss—rather than the pursuit of God Himself... a life of holiness.
To my surprise and delight, Randy Alcon's book The Purity Principle: God's Safeguards for Life's Dangerous Trails falls into neither of these two common categories.
The Purity Principle is a small book, but it packs a punch. Chock full of Bible verses, real-life examples, and sound biblical advice, it answers questions like, "What exactly is purity?" and "Why does it even matter?" This is a wonderful book for older teens and adults of any age, and any relational status, who would like to gain a better understanding of what biblical purity is, and why it's important.
Much like the book of Proverbs, instead of giving you the lowdown on what not to do, or painting an overly romanticized, fluffy picture of purity, Randy Alcorn removes the glimmer of sexual immorality by sharing the real-life stories of men and women who fell into sin by slowly choosing to walk down the wrong road—one small, fatal step at a time.
The Purity Principle shows how the fear of God and the consequences of disobeying His holy law should be what "drives the sense into us" rather than out. And how this fear of God should be what makes us alert, diligent, watchful and drastic when it comes to protecting our own purity and making sure we don't allow even a hint of sexual immorality into our own lives.
Because The Purity Principle doesn't take a let-me-tell-you-what-not-to-do approach to purity, and it's biblically solid, it could be a helpful book for someone who's currently struggling with issues of morality, while still being an excellent choice for someone who wants to learn how to safeguard their life so they don't find themselves needing to do an about-face later. – K. H.
The Purity Principle has blessed me so powerfully. The truth was presented so clearly and simply, it has made me free after many years of struggle. - D. D., Indonesia
This is a 90-page, thought-provoking book that pulls no punches. It asks the tough questions and asks us to look at our life and our sexual purity. From the male perspective, no matter if you are young or old, single, dating, married, divorced or whatever. In a way it is a quick read but it made me think a lot about the little things that I let slide or try to rationalize so in that I don’t have to deal with those situations or issues. I would highly recommend this book to any guy wondering how to stay sexually pure. – M. B.
I do a lot of reading, and this book is second only to the Bible in the way it deals clearly and succinctly with the subject of sexual purity. This title is a good one to keep handy, especially for men, in this day and age of slipping sexual morality. Alcorn addresses biblical sexual conduct (and lack of it) in a frank yet tasteful manner. This book is an excellent investment towards the reader achieving and maintaining sexual purity. It’s definitely a keeper. – D. B.
Consistently, Randy challenges me to grow as a Christian and his writing is real and honest. He offers practical wisdom and encourages a deeper relationship with God. Thank God for Randy’s obedience to the Lord, and may God continuously bless his ministry. – L. M.
There is no other book like The Purity Principle. I read it, and re-read it, and re-read it. - Administrator at Bible school in Cuba
Randy, please note the sense of clarity and enthusiasm you have given me through your book, The Purity Principle. I just finished your book and have decided to buy 5 more for other Christian men who are close to me in my life...although I have a felling I will be buying many more.
I am 25 and have been concurred by pornography and premarital sex time and time again. I have prayed, I have sought council, and I have looked for answers in the Word. Everything that I have tried has been either vague or clouded by my underlying misunderstanding of what sexual immorality offers me...NOTHING. It is truly like a glass of salt water causing me to only thirst for more empty means of self-gratification. With your help, I clearly understand and now know with confidence what our glorious Lord offers us if we accept it...GREAT JOY...what every real man searches infinitely for.
I pray that your book reaches countless numbers of men and women and know that I will help to ensure that it does. It is the least that I can do after what you have done for me. - A. T., Greenwood Village, CO
I really appreciated your book on purity. It is small, but packs a big punch. I read it twice, the second time underlining the parts that really hit me. - S. M., St. Louis, MO
I loved your book, The Purity Principle. I am preparing to marry a very godly girl and this book gave me some helpful tips on how to stay pure within marriage. I will be using them. Not only that, but it will help me to maintain purity with my future wife while we are in this fragile time. - K. S.
I am almost 12 and my dad is taking me through The Purity Principle. I just wanted to thank you sooooo much for writing that book. It has really helped me with that issue. And now whenever I am tempted I just remember your words which were "impurity is always stupid and purity is always smart."
The chapter "Getting Radical" really helped me in seeing that "purity comes only to those who truly want it." When you say to "STOP LOOKING", and "STOP PUTTING YOURSELF IN THE POSITION TO LOOK," and also when you say "If going to a movie rental store causes you to sin then don't go" and "If it means you have to lower your head and close your eyes so be it", well, all those things really helped me. Thank you. - J. P.
I gave a copy of the book The Purity Principle to a friend who was engaged in an adulterous relationship with a married man. After reading the book she immediately ended the relationship and is now seeking counsel on how to confess to her husband. - S.R.
Today I finished reading The Purity Principle. This book is absolutely essential for men today. It is a book that I plan to re-read from time to time and as my boys grow older I plan to read it with them. I just got back from an evangelistic trip to the jungle were I saw couple after couple, marriage after marriage, and family after family destroyed because of adultery, pornography, or fornication. It was a real warning to me, "Keep yourself pure!" I keep thinking if only those people could have read your book before they destroyed themselves. Thank you again! - S.M., Missionary
After reading The Purity Principle I thought to myself, "How I would have loved to have been a Christian at age 12, when I was introduced to pornography and began a 22+ year double life of habitual sexual sin, and to have read this book." I could have saved all those years of agony and stupidity, which almost caused me my marriage, my family life, and my career. This book could have been a light for my path in life. - Bill Berry, Director Battle Plan Ministry
I work in an office with many women. I recently found and read your book on The Purity Principle. I now read it once a month. It has made a great deal of difference in how I view the ladies in the office and how we interact together. It has been a real blessing and made me appreciate my wife even more. Please don't let this book go out of print. - L. S.
The Purity Principle got here today! I am amazed at how the Lord moves. I told one of our senior pastors tonight that these books came in and that I shouldn't have ordered them. He got a deeply concerned look on his face, thinking I was telling him the book was not biblical. "No," I told him, "the book calls me what I have been all too often-STUPID! Right in line with scripture. And no man likes to know the truth-but we all NEED to know it."
Wow! I can't wait to finish reading this book and I look forward to hearing how God will move in the lives of other men as a result of them reading it.I do believe. God is up to something. Lord knows we live in a dead culture and He calls us to preserve it and light it up-but He calls us to obedience.
No excuses. Just repentance and obedience. Lord Jesus, that is my prayer. - S. B., Houston, TX
I really appreciated your book on purity, It is small, but packs a big punch. I read it twice, the second time underlining the parts that really hit me. - Scott, St. Louis, MO
I am preparing to marry a very godly girl and The Purity Principle gave me some helpful tips on how to stay pure within marriage. I will be using them. Not only that, but it will help me to maintain purity with my future wife while we are in this fragile time. Thank you. - K. H.
As you read this please note the sense of clarity and enthusiasm you have given me through your book, The Purity Principle. I just finished your book and have decided to buy 5 more for other Christian men who are close to me in my life, although I have a feeling I will be buying many more. I am 25 and have been concurred by pornography and premarital sex time and time again. I have prayed, I have sought counsel, and I have looked for answers in the Word. Everything that I have tried has been either vague or clouded by my underlying misunderstanding of what sexual immorality offers me...NOTHING. It is truly like a glass of salt water causing me to only thirst for more empty means of self-gratification. With your help, I clearly understand and now know with confidence what our glorious Lord offers us if we accept it, GREAT JOY; what every real man searches infinitely for. I pray that this reaches you and if this were hand written, you would clearly notice the tear drops on the pages. - A. T., Greenwood Village, CO
Yesterday The Purity Principle arrived. I started reading it immediately. This book is real help. It`s such an adventure to see that the solution for all my problems with sexuality was always there. There are so many passages I know for so long, but now it is the first time that I see them in relation to my problems. I`m really WORKING with the Bible now. And I want to bring the purity principle in my life. I wish I had done it before. The last days gave me such a joy that losing praying-time and purity made me dissatisfied. Like Randy Alcorn writes I see that purity brings joy and life. And I don`t want to miss it now again. There`s a difference between doing things with or without God. Even when I had no praying time I kept the course in the main, but it was not the same. It was "doing the right" (better than doing the wrong, of course) but coming out of a time of prayer was "living with God". - Letter from Germany
I have read The Purity Principle you gave me when you visited class. It is terrific. Your book moved me from 98% commitment to purity to 100%. Thanks for helping me realize the idols that I have harbored. You have been a blessing to me! - C. L., Seminary professor
