Hey there, and welcome to Java with Julie. This is Julie Slattery. And if you've been listening

the last few episodes, you know we've been tackling the very difficult topic of sexual purity,

specifically the purity movement within the evangelical church and some of the fallout that's had

with people. And today you're going to hear a very special conversation I recently had with

Joshua Harris.

Now Joshua is the author of the book, I Kiss Dating Goodbye.

He wrote that book as a 19-year-old.

And now many years later, he's reevaluating what he wrote and the impact of what he wrote on various people around the country and even around the world.

You're going to hear in Josh's voice that this topic is still very raw for him

as he's been listening to the sexual pain of particularly women who grew up in the purity movement.

This is a tender conversation that I believe models for us,

what it is to have an open heart asking God to

humble us and to teach us. Well, Josh, some people may not be familiar with you and your ministry.

You kind of hit the Christian scene many years ago when you were 19 years old and wrote a book

called I kiss Dating Goodbye.

So I guess the first question is, what inspired a 19 year old to write a book?

Well, I had been speaking for a number of years.

I had been publishing a small magazine for homeschool teens and going around doing

conferences for teens.

And I wanted to be Billy Graham.

I wanted to do something huge for God.

I wanted to change and challenge my generation.

...