Emotional Purity (Includes Study Questions): An Affair of the Heart [Paperback]

Heather Arnel Paulsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2007

Have you ever given your heart to someone who didn't love youback?

Do you feel like you've experienced heartache over and overagain?

If you are emotionally attached to someone, it's easy to crossthe line and become emotionally intimate. Then if the relationshipdoesn't work out, you're left with scars on your heart.

The church teaches us the importance of physical purity; but itteaches little about emotional purity. Christian singles often weartheir hearts on their sleeves, which can lead to intense,emotionally intimate, male-female "friendships" with no commitmentto pursuing marriage. People may have had several of these"friendships" and still consider themselves pure, but in realitythey have given away pieces of their hearts that should be reservedfor their future spouses. Emotional Purity will showyou how to define and set boundaries in your relationships to avoidmaking the same mistakes. Learn how to guard your heart and keep itemotionally pure.

Using fictional and real-life examples along with sound biblicaladvice, author Heather Arnel Paulsen outlines the pitfalls ofundefined relationships and presents guidelines for living anemotionally pure life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In the past five years, God opened Heather Arnel Paulsen's heart to understand the meaning of emotional purity during her unmarried years. Currently, Heather works for her father's construction consulting business and also for the ministry she founded, Emotional Purity. She resides in Lake Villa, Illinois with her parents and two sisters. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (April 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158134855X
• ISBN-13: 978-1581348552
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I wrote Emotional Purity in 2000. It was first released by WinePress Publishers in 2001. After amazing sales, the Lord opened up the door for the book to be published through Crossway Publishers in the spring of 2007. I am excited to watch this new phase of Emotional Purity.

In 2003 I was married and we have two sons Miles (2005) and Luke (2006). I look forward to homeschooling them when the time comes.

I really enjoy communicating with the readers of my book. I feel like it gives me a great perspective on what people think and how it has impacted their life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Idea of Purity, October 18, 2003

By 

Nate - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emotional Purity : An Affair of the Heart (Paperback)

Emotional Purity - wow, now there's a concept that many teenagers and adults today don't understand. This book thoughtfully examines misconception that Christian purity relates to romantic relationships and only to the physical realm. Heather Paulsen shows through examples and the principles of God's word that purity must be pursued in areas beyond the scope of this faulty idea.

This book's overarching message is to "guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Guy-girl relationships (not even restricted to the explicitly romantic ones) can often lead to broken hearts because emotions go too far. Many books (see stuff by Josh Harris) focus on general purity in romantic relationships, but Heather shows that even good friends who aren't romantically involved must also be careful to remain pure. Without realizing it, friends can begin to spend more and more time with each other and become emotionally attached. Then, as Heather shows, the ensuing confusion about the goals of the relationship often leads to damaged hearts and severed friendships.

This said, I think it is a shame that this book's message is hindered by generally poor writing. The manuscript is rather clunky and includes occasional grammatical errors. In any other book, this would be cause for a significant deduction in the stars it receives from me, but in this case, the beautiful message that shines through the sometimes obscuring language makes up for it.

As I recall the power of this book's message to write this review, I find myself wanting to read it again. All teenagers and adults (even married ones) should allow this book to show them the importance of purity in all relationships. That means with co-workers, classmates, and friends, not just a significant other. Emotions often carry weak-minded and weak-willed humans (that's all of us) into impurity, regardless of marital status. Without careful protection of our hearts, our damaged emotions will be hindered from participating in the relationships for which God designed them - marriage and with Him.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SEEK HIM FIRST, September 24, 2001

By 

ben hoisington (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emotional Purity : An Affair of the Heart (Paperback)

Okay, now this is one of the most unique and challenging Christian living books that i have ever read. as a Christain i rate books in 3 ways. first is how scripturally based it is. second is how applicable it is. and third is how much it leads one to prayer. this revalation revealed by God to Heather Paulsen qualifies for all three. Guaranteed to change the way you think about current relationships, and how you act around others.
as a friend of mine Claire Angus, who i let borrow this book says, "I would recommend very highly to EVERYONE." I second this saying. if you are a guy or a girl, and want to know about relationships with others, and how to keep the relationship the way God would want it, Read what God says through his instrument, Heather Paulsen.
Seeking Him First,
Campus Crusade for Christ student President at UMass Amherst

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graceful author used to bless readers, December 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Emotional Purity : An Affair of the Heart (Paperback)

What a gifted author! Just by reading, one can sense her desire to serve the Lord, sweet spirit, and graceful nature. The issues addressed in her book are both relevant and biblically based. This book had an impact on me because I am very easily attatched to male friends, and this book made me realize the problem with it. God has given her great gifts and talents and she is using them for His Glory! Praise be to God!