Love in the New Testament

Love in the New Testament God is real

The Greek used in the New Testament times has more than nine words for the English word "Love"

Strong's Number is shown for those who use Strong's Concordance

Erotica = Sexual passion. Never translated as "Love" in the New Testament.

Agapao = Social/moral Strong's 25 Used solely in all the Gospels up to John 13 v 34 -

Agape = Social/moral affection/benevolence. (God's Love John 15 v 10 Rom_5:5 ) Strong's 26 First used in John 13 v 35

Phileo = As a friend Strong's 5368 First used in John 21.15 by Peter (Jesus used 25)

Philadelphia = Brotherly Strong's 5360/1 Rom 12.10

Philoteknos As a parent Strong's 5368

Philandros = As a wife Strong's 5362

Philanthropia = Love towards mankind Strong's 5363

Thelo = To prefer Strong's 2309

Love is not sexual passion (erotica), which normally is an impulse of the moment. Love is a long lasting affection for other living beings. It varies in strength from person to person and usually grows with time. The love of a true Christian emanates from God and is often overwhelming, on the Lover not the Beloved. It is very different from Love in a non believer which is usually selfish in that it expects a positive reward.

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us

1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love..

True love seeks nothing other than the fellowship of the beloved, although further positive involvement is desired. There is a danger in a true Christian's feeling of Love, in that the fellowship element can be mingled with a genuine physical attraction, and we must not let that mislead us into allowing a physical erotic relationship to develop where it is clearly contrary to Scripture. Both the Old and New Testaments make it quite clear that sexual consummation should only take place within the marriage environment. Woman was created because man needed a companion.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

1Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

And many other verses.

It does appear from Scripture that although a woman is permitted only one husband (whilst both are alive) a man is permitted to have more than one wife. Several of the patriarchs had more than one wife/concubine, Jacob being the most obvious example. In the New Testament the only restriction on a man having more than one wife was disqualification from being an Elder or Deacon. Where the Laws of a country differ from this, they are, of course, pre-eminent within the legal system of that country.

1Ti 3:2 A bishop (elder) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach

Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

While There are several examples of marriage feasts, no actual marriage ceremony is set out in the Bible, apart from the act of sexual intercourse.

Gen_2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Mat_19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Mat_19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Mar_10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

1Co_6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Eph_5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Notice that the phrase "one flesh" clearly means physical joining of bodies in penetrative sexual intercourse. There is no other possible interpretation of 1 Cor 6:16

1Co 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

This interpretation of "Marriage" is confirmed in the Joseph/Mary relationship. Very shortly before Jesu's birth Mary was described as being "Pleged to be married" and not as "his wife". as Mary was still a virgin at that time.

Luk 2:5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

There is only one Way to request/receive forgiveness of sin and, in this respect, there is no differentiation between various sins. That said, there can be an enormous difference in the outworking of individual sin. e.g. stealing £100 from a wealthy person does not have the same effect as stealing it from a very poor person but both are equally the result of Sin requiring full repentance and trust in the finished work of Jesus.

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Obviously, the provision for confession and repentance (daily "foot washing" as instituted by Jesus) applies.

Joh 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Whilst it is clear that the Scriptures enjoin that chastity is observed by courting or engaged couples, there is no prohibition of close physical contact, including sexual exploration. It is probably essential that a couple find out their reactions to each other before marrying as people's body chemistry varies enormously and compatibility in this respect is very important within marriage but such action must not be undertaken lightly. Great care should always be undertaken, especially if one of the parties may not be a Born Again believer. It is clear from Scripture that full sexual relations between husband and wife are a God approved blessing but outside of marriage, are condemned. What is acceptable depends on the personal preferences of the couple but sodomy between them is clearly condemned.

Heb 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Therefore, it is clear that chastity outside of marriage is enjoined for all true Believers and any deviation therefrom needs to be dealt with as any other sin. Throughout the Old Testament the desertion of the Israelites to the worship of false gods is likened to adultery and fornication. Whilst that interpretation continues in the New Testament, the reverse is also expressed. i.e. Fornication follows on from idol worship. (Idol worship not being confined to material images but includes adherence to attitudes or ideologies incompatible with God.)

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them

Love as described in the Scriptures is, at it's strongest, indestructible whereas so called "love" can, especially if rejected, turn to hate.

Son 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Over the centuries there have always been groups of people who decry the authority of the Scriptures

Some groups deny the authority thereof completely, others claim to accept some of the Scriptures and amend them to fit in with modern "liberal" ideas of a "civilised" world. Others simply change their meaning because they don't like the obvious, clear teaching. Several of these are considered below.

If people promote views which are clearly contrary to Scripture they are entitled to their views but WILL reap the fruit thereof. When they suffer evil as a result they cannot (but often try to) put the blame for the evil on God (often claiming God should have intervenedand ). This may even follow a lifetime of such an attitude, resulting in an opinion that God is cruel. I cannot explain why God chooses to open some peoples hearts to Him and not others. I trust Him totally and have to leave God to convince others of His trustworthiness. It can be very painful if a person we are very close to and dearly love fails to have faith in Him, no matter how we direct them to His word but we must never consider a person beyond redemption whilst life lasts. Remember, those workers who toiled for one hour of the day received the same reward as those who had worked all the day.

Mat 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

Mat 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Mat 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Mat 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Many people claim the Bible is outdated and not appropriate for our times, when moral attitudes have been severely weakened. This implies that God did not intend His word to be appropriate for all time. Such an attitude is not in accordance with Scripture.

Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Num 23:20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

Isa 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The world was just as permissive and depraved in New Testament times as it is now, perhaps even more so. We have not yet legalised paedophiles, although they are strongly protected within the prison system.

Conclusion

Love in the New Testament

The Bible's teaching on sexual behaviour is very clear. We ignore it at our peril. Even though we have the safety net of God's forgiveness and restoration, it is far better if we adhere directly to the Scriptures. In these current times, as always in the past, the morality of the World is very enticing and the Devil revels in tripping us up. Beloved Believer, take the utmost care and trust God to provide ALL you need, in His approved way. Take care to educate in these matters those whom God has entrusted to you.

CHRISTIAN COURTING

I believe that the development over the past seventy years of the Worldly attitudes to courtship has so infected the Christian church that a re-examination of Bible teaching on the subject is necessary.

In the past, both Christians and non Christians have been fairly restricted in freedom of discussion of matters relating to sexual behaviour but that has drastically changed in non Christian circles, with blatant propositioning by both sexes becoming more and more acceptable. Prior to 1960, most girls preferred to restrict sexual activity to within the legal marriage relationship, even if it was only the fear of illegitimacy which prompted this. General sexual education was in it's infancy, with only elementary biological facts being included in the educational curriculum. Teenagers rarely received detailed sex education from parents and were left to acquire such knowledge from their peers or whatever illegal magazines they could acquire. Nowadays there is a multitude of sources of sexual information available, much of which pays no respect to the true love aspect. To most people, the word "Love" simply means having sex, often without any enduring intention, although many people ARE searching for a deep and lasting relationship.

Unfortunately, it appears that the Christian church still adopts the old approach and rarely proffers the Bible's teaching thereon, which is what this article will do.

Firstly we will consider the Bible's teaching as to what constitutes "Marriage".

No where in the Bible is the detail of a marriage service set out, although we are given examples of "Marriage feasts" in both the old and new testaments , from which it is clear that much eating and alcoholic drinking took place. Jacob was so inebriated that he failed to notice his beloved chosen bride had been replaced by her elder sister!

Gen 29:25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

However, there IS a definite marriage service set out in Scripture and it originates right from the beginning.

Gen_2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1Co 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

1Co 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

The above makes it quite clear that the term "One flesh" refers to the act of penetrative sexual intercourse. That is the sole marriage ceremony portrayed in scripture. The normally attendant feasting does not constitute a binding "marriage". In fact, the various Christian churches throughout the World have always considered that the absence of sexual consummation nullifies the marriage vows.

The undoubted teaching of scripture is that fornication is completely unacceptable.

Act_15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Act_15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Act_21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Rom_1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

1Co_5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

1Co_6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

1Co_6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

1Co_7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

1Co_10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

2Co_12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Gal_5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Eph_5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Col_3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

1Th_4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Jud_1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

The above applies equally to men and women. Penetrative sex is clearly a sin except when undertaken as an act of true love and a mutual commitment to lifelong unique loyalty, when it constitutes a binding marriage. Conversely, once undertaken, the permanent refusal of one party to

allow penetrative sex (except for genuine health reasons) constitutes an act of divorce by that party.

The scriptures do make a distinction between men and women in one respect. Whereas a woman must remain faithful to her husband, a husband is permitted to, but not encouraged to,. have more than one wife, the only limitation arising therefrom being failure to qualify for the offices of Deacon or Elder. (Bishop).

1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

In the Old Testament there was no such limitation and there are many examples of multiple wives from Jacob with his 4 to Solomon with his 1,000 !

Clearly, in most countries today bigamy is illegal, so a Christian must obey that law so far as legally recognised marriage is concerned.

With regard to the physical behaviour of courting couples I believes the Bible teaches the following:

The absolute prohibition of penetrative sex until a firm lifelong commitment is made.

The necessity of proceeding carefully towards a greater understanding of each other.

Both parties to be Bible believing Christians

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Clearly simple friendship with non christians of the opposite sex can take place but great care must be exercised and constant committal to the Lord in prayer. Remember

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

and if a wrong decision is made that does not mean you have to repeat it.

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I would suggest that the courtship proceeds along the following lines:

There being a basic physical interest in a person you find attractive, light touching, hands, kisses and similar, to see if there is a basic "chemistry" attraction. Without that further progression is pointless. If true love is going to be involved then some element of physical attraction needs to be present. It is possible to develop a deep love for a person without a strong sexual attraction but such an attitude must not be hidden from the intended partner.

Exploration of the effect of some erogenous zones, e.g. back massage, neck caressing and kissing.

Alongside the above there will be an intellectual and social communication and if all these have produced positive emotional responses you need to make a mutual decision on proceeding further. Do not be pressured into further action unless you sure you are sure you wish to. Getting to this stage is NOT a promise of further involvement. If true love is beginning to arise, your partner will not wish it any other way.

It is very necessary for this discovery of your mutual attractiveness to take place as it can be disastrous if a marriage is entered into without full knowledge thereof, as neither of you want to be faced with something totally unexpected and unattractive after marriage.

Having reached this stage, if you are both convinced marriage is in the offing, you are ready to explore further. This will involve more intimate caressing of more private erogenous zones and this will vary tremendously in line with your personal preferences. It is up to you BOTH to decide what is or is not desirable and each must respect the other's wish for restraint. When indulging in caressing it is important to keep verbal channels of communication. Silence does NOT mean consent. Words may not always be necessary as consent can be easily communicated by responses.

Erogenous zones do vary between individuals and also from time to time in the same person. Tenderness is ALWAYS a requirement and gentle experimentation, helpful. Always let your partner know what you do and do not like. Be honest and keep communicating. This is just as important after marriage.

It is vital that both potential partners remain fully alert to the potentially ovefrwhelming effects of erogenous activity. and the danger of proceeding too far too soon. Bear in mind that we all have different levels of inensity in such situations. Constantly commit your relationship to the Lord.

As this site is intended to be a study of Biblical teaching and not of sex education, I will go no further.

The question of oral sex should be openly discussed as some consider that aspect unacceptable. Others are quite happy, therewith There is no Biblical condemnation of oral sexual acts. The scriptural comments such as

Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

refer to all sexual acts (including those of discovery as mentioned above) between members of the same sex and acts of sodomy - including with the opposite sex. Remember "Love" is NOT sexual activity. True love should always be present before any sexual activity is undertaken but "Love" is nowhere translated as eroticism. Yes, a man and women truly in love will have strong erotic feelings for each other but the words "Love" and "Sex" are not synonymous. The Bible wonderfully describes true love

Song of Solomon 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned

Remember, these matters are personal and private to the couple concerned. They should never be the subject of boastful detailed discussion with others. If that does happen, then the perpetrator is placing his/her Christian status in question and let it be a warning to the partner. Discussing the generality of the relationship discreetly with a friend for advice purposes is OK

In the event that penetrative sexual intercourse takes place then in Bible terms, the couple are married and a full legal wedding should take place as soon as convenient. If, however, the couple decide that would be a mistake then the event clearly falls under the description of "Fornication" and should be dealt with accordingly.

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Scripturally, if penetrative sex takes place and the couple subsequently part, then a Bible defined marriage AND divorce has occurred., even if a prostitute is involved

1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

It is abundantly clear from scripture that fornication (by a man or a woman) is warned against

1Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

As discussed above, "fornication" means having penetrative sexual intercourse ("becoming one flesh") with a person of the opposite sex with no intention of marriage. If a Bible believing Christian commits fornication, that is a sin and must be dealt with as such, otherwise it will result in grieving the Holy Spirit and a serious effect on his/her relationship with God and other Christians will follow. There is also, as per 1 Co 6:18, a warning of physical or emotional consequences to follow. No matter what peer pressure is involved, there is absolutely no relaxation of this Biblical position. But no matter how far a person may have strayed in such matters, remember

You can always cease from such an association with the Lord's help. If you refuse to take "the way of escape" proffered, you WILL reap the consequences. Beware

Psa 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

I have found that God faithfully honours requests such as

"Lord, please keep me from sinning in this way. I know that I will be in situation where I will be tempted to commit fornication and will, at that time, not want you to intervene. Please ignore my wishes at that time and keep me from doing so".

You will not like His intervention at the time but you will, later, praise Him and your faith will be strengthened. The joy and peace you receive from the Lord will far exceed the temporal pleasure you forgo.

Love in the New Testament God is real

Current Worldly Attitudes To Scriptural Teaching

Over the centuries there have always been groups of people who decry the authority of the Scriptures

Conclusion

Love in the New Testament

CHRISTIAN COURTING