Sacred Marriage

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  The subtitle was what really intrigued me about this book: "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" And, on the whole, I see much sense in his thesis that marriage here on Earth (like everything else that exists) serves as yet another opportunity to understand our relationship with God first and foremost, and as practical exercise in the attributes of Christ.

  Granted, the book often goes towards the heavy end of the value in drudgery at the ris... (show more)

  The subtitle was what really intrigued me about this book: "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" And, on the whole, I see much sense in his thesis that marriage here on Earth (like everything else that exists) serves as yet another opportunity to understand our relationship with God first and foremost, and as practical exercise in the attributes of Christ.

  Granted, the book often goes towards the heavy end of the value in drudgery at the risk of sounding a bit masochistic. While the value of sacrifice is absolutely fitting with Christ as the foundation upon which the book rests (and rests well upon), there are times when the points being made start sounding a bit off as simply the exposition of Thomas' own opinion, supported with dubious illustrations. Examples include when he uses the picture of self-flagellating monks as an example of true humility before God--come on--or holding up the twisted "romance" between Abelard and Heloise as a thing to emulate, or when Thomas inaccurately represents the Lindberghs' marriage as publicly difficult yet fundamentally admirable when in truth it eventually became rife with affairs and unresolved betrayal. There are other instances.

  In short, the book is definitely worth reading for its primary message and where it is centered around a biblical implication for marriage. It should be skimmed in the parts where the author starts commentating with odd choices of anecdotes outside of the Scriptures. I did come away with a greater appreciation of marriage as a spiritual discipline and how my time as a wife is a finite role framed within a greater, eternal relationship with God. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Jul 14, 2009 at 03:38PM

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  Loved his book. I would highly recommend this to the engaged, newly married, married for a little while,or married for a long while.

  Thomas provides great thoughts on what God has to say about marriage and how to work towards making marriage something that is not about fulfilling your own needs, but to serving God and loving the person He has put in your life.

  It really twists things around from "what about my happiness" to "what about my holiness".

  I think it re... (show more)

  Loved his book. I would highly recommend this to the engaged, newly married, married for a little while,or married for a long while.

  Thomas provides great thoughts on what God has to say about marriage and how to work towards making marriage something that is not about fulfilling your own needs, but to serving God and loving the person He has put in your life.

  It really twists things around from "what about my happiness" to "what about my holiness".

  I think it really helped me to really begin to think through marriage in a way that causes me to think each time we interact, face a challenge or I am offered a chance to love on my husband of the opportunity I have to become more Christlike and to learn a little more the character of God.

  Thomas uses scripture and real life stories to bring to life the principals that He discusses. I think for me I had wondered how sometimes the single lifestyle is lifted up so much and can I not be holy and married? Interesting and challenging book. (show less)

   

   

  by Kristen Adams on May 13, 2009 at 01:11AM

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