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Quest for Love: True Stories of Passion and Purity
In Quest for Love, the companion to Passion and Purity, Elisabeth Elliot shares many letters she's received, and responds to the writer's confusion and heartfelt needs with sound, biblical guidance. She dusts off "antiquated" concepts such as commitment, integrity, honor, and servanthood and applies them to dating and singleness today. Intertwined with the questioning letters are hopeful stories of how men and women discovered love through God's direction. As you read their honest revelations, you'll be able to "discern the better way" by discovering what happened when they put their love life under the authority of Jesus Christ.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Elisabeth Elliot
126 books1,915 followersFrom the Author's Web Site: My parents were missionaries in Belgium where I was born. When I was a few months old, we came to the U.S. and lived in Germantown, not far from Philadelphia, where my father became an editor of the Sunday School Times. Some of my contemporaries may remember the publication which was used by hundreds of churches for their weekly unified Sunday School teaching materials.
Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing.
A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In nineteen fifty three we were married in the city of Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death.
Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years.
After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the U.S.
Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in 1973. After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter, the other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together.
Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing.
A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In nineteen fifty three we were married in the city of Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death.
Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years.
After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the U.S.
Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in 1973. After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter, the other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
July 10, 2011
Since I have been married for over 25 years, why would I read a book like this? The one main reason is to learn more about faith. It takes faith to live a life that the bar is raised in such a book like this. It is not about do's and don'ts, but more about attitude of the heart, a heart after the Lord and His will for your life, and the blessing that come with it. Regrettably, many believers and non believers alike feel judged when people choose to raise the bar in their own lifes. When one lives a life of the word, others are going to feel judged because the word is living and cuts to the heart. I pray in my own life, that I live more according to the word and not be worried about what others think.
I don't believe this is impossible, because with all things, with God, it is possible and the stories reflect that. I hope men and women read this if they are serious about following God's will for their life. It is based on scripture and you see God's hand on each if these stories.
I am looking forward to read more of Elisabeth Elliot.
I don't believe this is impossible, because with all things, with God, it is possible and the stories reflect that. I hope men and women read this if they are serious about following God's will for their life. It is based on scripture and you see God's hand on each if these stories.
I am looking forward to read more of Elisabeth Elliot.
November 14, 2008
one of Mrs. Elliot-Gren's best. She tells true stories of several couples who trusted God for the perfect mate and were not let down!
July 18, 2012
Elisabeth Elliot is one of my favorite speakers (on podcasts mostly but nonetheless my favorite) and after reading this book I might even consider her to be a role-model. I read her other book Passion and Purity after hearing her speak a few times and was very touched by her utter devotion to Christ. This book was the same. Her commitment to God and her devotion to submitting her life to God entirely and her urge for other Christian women to do the same, is very present throughout the book.
The book doesn't focus too much on her. It's a collection of her essays on topics of marriage and it contains many different love stories. Out of all the love stories I've read, the ones in this book are the most God-focused stories. The men and women in the stories mostly find marriage by giving themselves up to God.
Here's a little quote from the concluding chapter of the book:
"This book does not offer a prescription for finding a life partner. Rather it presents descriptions of different ways in which God, our Guide and Guard, has worked with different people. There is no single formula for approaching marriage, but the recurrence of certain themes, methods, and timeless principles is noteworthy..."
Her approach to a God-centered marriage may appear finite and abrupt as she is very adamant about the ideas of Biblical femininity and masculinity but they are based on Scripture. My personal favorite chapter/story in this book is the one of the Indian lady who writes beautifully about the differences in the west and the east in finding love. She is quite ruthless and transparent in articulating the differences. She resisted the culture of arranged marriage and escapes to America only to seek it out again. And then she finds her husband. :)
The book doesn't focus too much on her. It's a collection of her essays on topics of marriage and it contains many different love stories. Out of all the love stories I've read, the ones in this book are the most God-focused stories. The men and women in the stories mostly find marriage by giving themselves up to God.
Here's a little quote from the concluding chapter of the book:
"This book does not offer a prescription for finding a life partner. Rather it presents descriptions of different ways in which God, our Guide and Guard, has worked with different people. There is no single formula for approaching marriage, but the recurrence of certain themes, methods, and timeless principles is noteworthy..."
Her approach to a God-centered marriage may appear finite and abrupt as she is very adamant about the ideas of Biblical femininity and masculinity but they are based on Scripture. My personal favorite chapter/story in this book is the one of the Indian lady who writes beautifully about the differences in the west and the east in finding love. She is quite ruthless and transparent in articulating the differences. She resisted the culture of arranged marriage and escapes to America only to seek it out again. And then she finds her husband. :)
January 30, 2024
Pretty good book overall. Very easy read and has good biblical principles when it comes to dating. I’m just a sucker for any love story and getting to read different ways the Lord brought two people together was encouraging and fun! I’m sure reading passion and purity would make me appreciate this book more since this book goes with that one. Some of the older stories may seem outdated (people getting engaged right after meeting each other & arranged marriages) and share more of a women’s perspective on the relationship but definitely still see God’s character in the stories shared and questions answered!
May 14, 2010
Quest for Love really shows how suddenly and personally God directs us to a spouse. The main theme is to be patient and wait for God’s good guidance and provision, because our Lord is the only one who knows the most compatible future spouse for us. Some of the stories can appear to be completely foreign concepts to us like arranged marriage and marriage without dating. However, you can clearly see God’s hands working in all of the relationships. Ultimately when our hearts are seeking God’s will, we can be more at peace knowing that God will bring a spouse to us in his perfect timing. This book will help you see how it’s more important to work on your character and relationship with God so you would become a good helper, instead of being anxious about finding the perfect spouse. It is a bit more gear toward female readers, but I recommend it to any men and women who want to see how God works in real love stories to bring Christians together. My favorite stories are The Fear of Deprivation, The Discipline of Waiting, and Just Friends?
Favorite Quote: "Does the question 'Will this work?' continue to trouble you, as though it were a mechanical contrivance that might malfunction? It is God we are dealing with, a just and merciful Father who is far more interested in our welfare than we are." (Page 270)
Favorite Quote: "Does the question 'Will this work?' continue to trouble you, as though it were a mechanical contrivance that might malfunction? It is God we are dealing with, a just and merciful Father who is far more interested in our welfare than we are." (Page 270)
September 14, 2009
I didn't like this book very much. I think maybe it's just because it might be to old for me. I didn't like one particular story though. When it talked about 'Only with total dependence on God, will you ever be happy'. I dont like that. So it's saying, people who dont believe in God, or aren't really religious and like, rely on him..they are saying those people will never be happy? Like, I read that story to my sister (she's two years older then me) she understood it. She tried to explain it to me, but I dont think I did understand it..I dont know. Like I said before, maybe Im just to young to understand/appreciate it.
March 3, 2012
The stories found here are all amazing. They are testimonies that love can be found even if you don't date, if you put your trust and confidence to God, and prayers. It may sound weird fro christians but I hope they'd get at least the idea that they won't have to rush and that women doesn't have to run after men because if he fears the Lord and he truly loves you, he will wait. That's a proof he respects you. For the men, I hope they'll realize they'd have to do the initiation and not the other way around. Each one should set high standards in search of a partner.
January 23, 2016
This book definitely gave me a lot of wisdom and hope concerning a godly, Christ centered relationship. I was encouraged by so many of the beautiful love stories of men and women who waited on Gods timing and didn't do anything out of their own strength. It inspired me to keep waiting on the Lord and continue seeking Him and He will provide everything at the perfect timing! Beautiful encouraging book! Recommend it to anyone who needs encouragement waiting on the Lord for their happily ever after!
June 26, 2011
Not quite as riveting and life-changing as the original Passion and Purity, but this still stands as a book I would recommend to someone who is wanting to bring their love life under God's control. This is also more of a sober read, because she addresses letters from individuals who have been burned in society's way of approaching love and are tentatively looking for other answers.
Make sure you read the other Passion and Purity before approaching this one.
Make sure you read the other Passion and Purity before approaching this one.
July 26, 2021
Elisabeth Elliot is becoming one of my favorite authors, and she was such a wise and faithful woman of God. I think there’s a lot of wisdom to be taken from this book about biblical principles in preparing for marriage, but due to the era it was written in, not all of the advice she gives is relevant to our generation. I appreciated the stories she shared and questions that she asked at the end of each chapter. Even though I didn’t agree with all of her points (due to how times have changed since she wrote the book), I appreciate being challenged to think about dating in a way that challenges the status quo of popular culture today. As a missionary, I also appreciated the stories she included of missionaries who wrestled with a lot of the same questions that I have wrestled with as a single missionary considering marriage.
September 28, 2023
Loved this book. Fresh, encouraging, grounded and inspiring. Elisabeth Elliot is a favorite.
April 19, 2016
If there's one thing Elisabeth Elliot doesn't do, it's pull any punches. She's quite clear about her opinions on dating, physical intimacy in romantic relationships, and the like and most of it is in complete opposition to the modern perspective on all of the above.
Effectively, this is a companion book to Passion and Purity where Elisabeth uses the story of her courtship with Jim Elliot to talk about romantic relationships. In this book, she shares some more general thoughts, but it's mostly a collection of stories about people she knew, people she's read about, or people who've written letters to her over the years and how those people got together with their spouse or didn't ultimately end up with someone they were dating because of x, y, or z reasons.
I love elements of this book for the same reason I love Passion & Purity, but so many of the stories feel much more like the exception rather than the rule. She shares a lot of stories about missionaries who had one or two interactions with a woman, proposed to her by letter, and they then got married. Now, I know the Lord works in all sorts of ways and brings people together in sometimes normal and sometimes not so normal ways, but the way she praised these kinds of anomaly type stories and almost degraded stories that are probably more normal for most of us was a bit off putting.
There are some solid nuggets of truth in there, as with everything Elisabeth Elliot writes, but on the whole this was a pretty 'meh' book for me.
Effectively, this is a companion book to Passion and Purity where Elisabeth uses the story of her courtship with Jim Elliot to talk about romantic relationships. In this book, she shares some more general thoughts, but it's mostly a collection of stories about people she knew, people she's read about, or people who've written letters to her over the years and how those people got together with their spouse or didn't ultimately end up with someone they were dating because of x, y, or z reasons.
I love elements of this book for the same reason I love Passion & Purity, but so many of the stories feel much more like the exception rather than the rule. She shares a lot of stories about missionaries who had one or two interactions with a woman, proposed to her by letter, and they then got married. Now, I know the Lord works in all sorts of ways and brings people together in sometimes normal and sometimes not so normal ways, but the way she praised these kinds of anomaly type stories and almost degraded stories that are probably more normal for most of us was a bit off putting.
There are some solid nuggets of truth in there, as with everything Elisabeth Elliot writes, but on the whole this was a pretty 'meh' book for me.
October 22, 2015
Another thought-provoking, great book by Elisabeth Elliot. Quest for Love: True stories of Passion and Purity, kind of goes with her other book, Passion and Purity. I’ve read both and thought both were very good.
Quest for Love is more stories though (as you would note in the title). –Stories of cheap romances; and stories of God-written romances. Stories of people who tossed God’s rules and warnings into the wind and did things their own way; and stories of people who carefully and committedly followed God’s leadings. Which one do you think ended up the best? Quest for Love explores this. Woeful and joyful letters written to Elisabeth Elliot, and stories of people from the past and such make up this book.
It was very interesting and so truthful. I encourage anyone who is wondering about singleness and qualities that should be in a spouse; and anyone who is finding careless dating a problem, to read this book.
Quest for Love is more stories though (as you would note in the title). –Stories of cheap romances; and stories of God-written romances. Stories of people who tossed God’s rules and warnings into the wind and did things their own way; and stories of people who carefully and committedly followed God’s leadings. Which one do you think ended up the best? Quest for Love explores this. Woeful and joyful letters written to Elisabeth Elliot, and stories of people from the past and such make up this book.
It was very interesting and so truthful. I encourage anyone who is wondering about singleness and qualities that should be in a spouse; and anyone who is finding careless dating a problem, to read this book.
December 5, 2008
This book was refreshing to read - a sharp contrast to the cheapened form of love prevalent in our society that isn't really love at all. True love involves having fun and pleasure and passion to be sure, but it's also about purity, sacrifice, hard-work, patience, respect, and the rest of the qualities mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. That kind of love is so much more precious and persevering. God's plan for each of us, whether that means the gift of singleness or the gift of marriage, is best. If we are meant to be married, God will guide us to the right person at the right time. If not, than our singleness is a gift for a greater purpose than marriage could have been.
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December 2, 2014Some of the thoughts were very traditional and pretty hard to relate to after being immersed in the present culture, but I admire Elizabeth for her staunch adherence to beliefs that others might consider outdated. So, while some of the teachings seem a little too conservative for me, overall the Biblical truths that they are founded on are solid and I like the numerous Scripture references that she includes. The best part for me, though, was reading the letters from people/hearing their stories, b/c they are so honest and real (frankly some of them are funny in how serendipitous life can be.)
January 9, 2012
This is an absolute MUST for every unmarried young man or woman seeking love! ;-)
When I was 14, I was feeling "worried sick" about who my mate should be so I picked up this book for encouragement. Encourage me it certainly did. I came away feeling free from worry, just like that. And all because I decided to surrender my "love life" to the LORD alone to orchestrate and surprise me with.
Still a lady in waiting, and content. :-D
When I was 14, I was feeling "worried sick" about who my mate should be so I picked up this book for encouragement. Encourage me it certainly did. I came away feeling free from worry, just like that. And all because I decided to surrender my "love life" to the LORD alone to orchestrate and surprise me with.
Still a lady in waiting, and content. :-D
November 18, 2012
Read this book about 10 years ago. Never heard of it, but my fiancé handed it to me, and said, "Read this." It revolutionized my understanding of relationships. For the first time, I clearly understood my role as a man and a husband-to-be according to God's terms (according to the principles set forth in the Bible). I LOVE this book!!!! I would recommend it to any man wanting to help their relationship with their woman. AWESOME!!!!!!
August 28, 2012
I liked this a lot. I don't think there were any ideas that I hadn't heard before but it's always helpful to hear something phrased a different way. My favorite part was reading the letters that she had received in the mail. Elliot did a nice job of teaching through the letters without hardly saying anything.
June 4, 2012
This book records stories that listerners to Elisabeth Elliot's radio show wrote to her. Elliot attempts to show one how to live the godly life. The godly life extends to romantic love. She says " in every generation there are those who not only hunger for the truth, but also search desparately for a high, even an 'impossibly' high standard."
February 26, 2013
Just like her first book, "Passion and Purity" Elliot reminds us of timely words of wisdom when it comes to this area of life. I liked how this book presented various stories of how God worked to intersect people's lives together... and yet, there were recurring themes (such as trusting in God and not on your own judgement) which permeated the book. It was an encouraging read :)
August 3, 2015
Based on my perspective, this book tells about how to be woman with God's love.
The author wrote her experiences since she was in school, ministry and her marriage.
She put a lot of Bible's words on her book as demonstrated her faith in God.
I recommend to every christian woman for reading this book.
This is a good book and may lead you to be the good christian woman.
The author wrote her experiences since she was in school, ministry and her marriage.
She put a lot of Bible's words on her book as demonstrated her faith in God.
I recommend to every christian woman for reading this book.
This is a good book and may lead you to be the good christian woman.
April 11, 2016
This book is amazing! I love the different stories of how God put two people together for His will. It's not just about "love stories", but the Greatest Love story ever told- God's love for all of us. It's hidden in each and every one of us, waiting to be found by us. Such as an encouraging book- to remain faithful and steadfast to the One who holds it all. :D
October 23, 2007
This is a neat book with all kinds of stories of those who have taken the wrong road in the "dating culture" and have gotten hurt and the stories of those who have done it the "right" way and have been blessed! It is very encouraging and inspiring!
January 22, 2008
One of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject of love between a man and a woman and how to let God be in control of our “love life”. It doesn’t offer pat solutions but causes one to really think and approach relationships God’s way. Another excellent book from Elisabeth Elliot.
March 17, 2008
Elisabeth offers empathetic wisdom throughout. Bring your "love life" under the authority of Jesus Christ. Full of true life stories of Passion and Purity. I highly recommend this Biblically based book to anyone over the age of 15.
March 30, 2008
This book was a breath of fresh air to the Passion & Purity ideas after the sterility of the original book. While Elliot's story seemed very rigid, these stories were more vibrant, real, relatable. I would recommend this book over the original.
July 10, 2008
I love Elisabeth Eliot, but this book goes a little too much into her specific "rules" for relationships, which I don't always agree with. The points she makes are excellent, it just borders a little on legalism at places.
July 15, 2008
This is better than its companion book, "Passion and Purity" because it gives a variety of stories that support chastity before marriage, and a Christ-centered life. Great reflection questions at the end of each chapter. Better if all the chapters included at least one story.
July 7, 2009
I pretty much agree with almost everything she talks about in this book, in regards to relationships & such. I liked it better than Passion & Purity because it gave more practical insight into what to actually do & what to avoid in that part of every single person's life :-)
December 18, 2010
Filled with diverse stories and down-to-earth wisdom.
Elisabeth Elliot shows that there is no formula. God is our focus and the center of any true relationship. We should be running after and trusting in Him!
Elisabeth Elliot shows that there is no formula. God is our focus and the center of any true relationship. We should be running after and trusting in Him!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews