#5 was to me, right? l -)
I believe Deborah was a woman, who was given a position of Judge of Israel because no godly principled man would stand up and do so. I take it then Chris that you are or preparing to be running for State Representative?
Otrmin, I don't think the article was suggesting a focus away from God onto marriage - but that as the Bible says Iron sharpens iron, two are better than one, etc. that marriage is one further step unto a God-centric life. I know for a fact that my faith, trust, fear and reverence of God has been tripled in the 3 years I have been married more than 15 years prior to my marriage - because marriage itself lends a mirror image of the relationship we have with Christ. Marriage (as it should be practiced) encourages self-lessness, a practice of intimate devotion in His word, fellowship with another believer, and the ultimate goal to glorify Christ TOGETHER - allowing you to multiply the Kingdom....etc. etc. etc. I can go on and on but won't. Ultimately my point is that acknowledging the God-given directive to be pursuing a Godly relationship (unto marriage) or pursuing a Christ-filled single life should He direct are not mutually exclusive to being Christ-centered. Most of those I know who have purposed not to be pursuing marriage (or pursuable) do so for reasons which are not even close to being Christ-centered. They're not giving up the idea of marriage to be missionaries to cannibals. They're doing it to have more fun. It's the sad truth.
Perhaps the first thing to consider when thinking about marriage is the proper attitude towards it and towards one's responsibility to give 100%. I may be off base but what I am gathering from the statements (granted void of intended voice-inflection) is bitterness and looking forward to a child grown so as to begin divorce proceedings. Somehow this is the fault of the church and lack of good premarital counseling - but in fact I think worldview comes into play here. My parents received one hour of premarital counseling, married in their early 20's, had a handicapped daughter die at 5, and celebrated 30 years of happy marriage this year. Did they ever fuss or fight or disagree? Heck yes! Did my mom ever leave (or leave after I was married)? No. Why? Because the worldview and attitude were not set to earthly hedonistic desires but to God's barometer.
Actually myop there is a valid reason for the statement as God mandated in Genesis that the purpose of man and woman on the earth was to be fruitful and multiply and take dominion over the earth, which was followed by Jesus' mandate in Matthew to go out into all the nations, teach them all He commanded and to disciple them. Christian society today incorrectly views singleness as a more Godly state of being - there is nothing against being a contented single which the author is (I can personally attest to this) but the main issue the article takes is against the apathetic and unBiblical determination to satisfactorily create a paragon of singleness.
"Courting" can be just as bad - there is no perfect method. The unfortunate occurrence seen in many relationships who started courtships was that the couple agreed that the end result of their relationship was to be marriage, and then even when they should have broken apart because of serious theological issues, they did not ending in a marriage as planned, without the foundation of AGREEMENT necessary to have a decent relationship once married. Second, those who did go into it seeing marriage as the end result who DID break it off when they realized they were not compatible was much worse than even a "casual dating" experience, because they had gotten to the point of believing they were dealing with their future mate.
Unfortunately, relationships are a messy business when not handled properly, and knowing more people who went through a courtship process than a dating one, I can say honestly that courtship holds just as many pains and traumas as a dating relationship. The key is that GOD needs to be the center. The relationship should be patterned after God's heart - through His guidance - with His principles - by HIM. The method of it all is and should be irrelevant. Parents are fallible, and so are methods.
Quiverful Mom of 12..... ...... ........... letting that one sink in.
I believe that the first paragraph of this article was a statement as to how the author does not claim to be an expert, but is providing insight gathered from a life that is FULL of purpose.
Third, the author may not be known to you and I grant that must be why you are unaware that she is one of the most purpose-driven and society-engaging persons I have ever met. She knows people in every state, has authored a book, assists her sister with a start-up non profit dedicated to assisting foster kids leaving the state system, plans national events for another organization, is a modern-day female version of Brother Andrew, taking Bibles at great personal risk into countries where Christianity is illegal, is assisting with the campaign of one of the state's most likely candidates for Governor, and....plans activities for groups like hiking and museum visiting. I think I'm even missing some of her "hobbies"....!
I know people who turned atheist from having done just that, Seattle. I don't think anyone with a biblical worldview would recommend anyone go collecting lost souls to be unequally yoked to through marriage... ?
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Liz 
Thingamajig