For Christmas, I bought my husband books. Lots and lots of books. Working in a bookshop has that effect, especially a bookshop where lots of ministers come to buy their reading material, so I know what's good and what's not in the world of ministers libraries. However among the pile of weighty tomes was one book I really wanted to read... The Meaning of Marriage by Tim and Kathy Keller. Trev has read all Keller's books so me buying it for him wasn't solely selfish, but none the less I was excited when he'd finished it and I could get stuck in! Although I was so crazy busy I think this was the longest time I've ever taken to read a book- 2 months was rather ridiculous!
However, I was not disappointed when I eventually finished it on our trip to Scotland last week. It really was one, if not the best book I've read on marriage, (and believe me I've read a lot!) I loved the conversational style the fact it was immersed in scripture and not at all explicit as seen in Mark Driscoll's, Real Marriage. I know that book has a mission and there are people who will find it useful but seriously for the mass market- too much information- basically I was just flicking through it in work and ended up traumatised for weeks and weeks!
I feel that this is a book anyone could and should read and it's definitely not just for married people, in fact there is a whole chapter on singleness and the book started out life as sermons preached to his congregation in New York which composed of many many singles.
The book covers many different aspects of marriage, however the thing that struck home to me most and I feel was repeated time and time again in the book, was that marriage is a sacrifice for the good of the other. This is in total contrast to the worlds feelings on marriage, who view it through the eyes of a consumer, wanting to see what they can get out of it. We are to work with our marriage partner to see them become more and more like Christ. Keller suggests that on our wedding day we should turn to the other and say "As great as you look today, someday you will stand with me before God in such beauty that it will make these robes look like rags." p169. I love this, although marriage bestows many blessings in this life, it can be hard at times, it highlights our own sin, weaknesses and insecurities. However, the main purpose of marriage isn't to make us happy it is to make us holy and that should truely excite us!
Whether you are single or married, young or old this is a must read book. In an age when marriage is undermined and temporary it shows in a practical and biblical way how to build marriages which not only last but flourish!
Linking to YLCF March of Books
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