Reflecting on forty years of matrimony, John Piper exalts the biblical meaning of marriage over its emotion, exhorting couples to keep their c...
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reviews
Apr 12, 2009
Sally
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I love John Piper, and I love God even more! I am grateful for John Piper's ministry, his desire to apply God's Word to our lives and help us live rightly. I found this book very helpful in reminding me that I am a living message to this fallen world. My husband read this book, and said, "He keeps saying the same thing over and over again! 'Marriage is a picture of Christ's relationship to the church.'" Yes, Piper does keep saying that, because we need to understand and remember a
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Aug 21, 2009
Emjflanigan
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This book is so excellent so far! This book as the author says, is more of a "why marriage" than a "how to" marriage book. I have really enjoyed the wonderful mission it gives marriages that are determined to be founded upon the Lord and mirror Christ and the Bride. My favorite chapter so far was the one that said the pretty controversial statement that "Marriage is not mainly about being or staying in love. It's mainly about telling the truth with our lives, It's ab
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Aug 27, 2010
Mike
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This is a short book with short chapters that is a worthy read. However, I am still in search of the "must read" Christian marriage book.
Piper begins his book on marriage only as Piper can--with a chapter that links marriage and martyrdom. In short, the title of the book reveals Piper's main message--marriage is momentary and Christ is eternal. Don't major on your marriage, major on Christ and your marriage will be put in it's proper place. Piper is aware of the temptat More...
Piper begins his book on marriage only as Piper can--with a chapter that links marriage and martyrdom. In short, the title of the book reveals Piper's main message--marriage is momentary and Christ is eternal. Don't major on your marriage, major on Christ and your marriage will be put in it's proper place. Piper is aware of the temptat More...
Apr 03, 2010
Mike
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What drives this book from beginning to end is the truth that marriage is a model of Christ’s relationship to the Church. According to Piper (p.42), this truth has the effect of (1) elevating the value of marriage; (2) providing a foundation of grace for our marriages; and (3) defining roles within marriage. By making this truth the backbone of his book, Piper has had the same three-fold effect on me.
Early in the book Piper shows that marriage is the doing of God and the display of G More...
Early in the book Piper shows that marriage is the doing of God and the display of G More...
Aug 06, 2010
Lauren
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Piper is one of the great theologians of our time. His writing is constantly upholding truth and love and grace. This book, for the most part, is no exception.
Piper is expounding on the truth that marriage is a reflection of Christ and the church. That the roles of husbands and wives are reflective of the way Christ and the church interact and relate. What a model men have for how to lead in a marriage and what an honour women have to submit in a marriage.
The one place I More...
Piper is expounding on the truth that marriage is a reflection of Christ and the church. That the roles of husbands and wives are reflective of the way Christ and the church interact and relate. What a model men have for how to lead in a marriage and what an honour women have to submit in a marriage.
The one place I More...
Aug 16, 2011
Bill
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A new go to book on marriage! One of the things I most appreciate about John Piper is his unflinching commitment to explain what the Bible says, regardless of expecations. This serves him very well as he writes about marriage. He holds up (as always) a very high standard, and thus turns quickly (as always) to our need for grace. The foundation of the book is marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church.
Jul 17, 2011
So far I love it. He explains that marriage is a picture of Christ and the church and how that plays out in very realistic terms in our lives. This doesn't always look the way we think. I love the deep biblical truths I have encountered thus far and am challenged to walk in them and to view my marriage the way God does from a perspective in God's word not a christianized worldy one.
Jan 09, 2009
Mark
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I want to get this book for all of my married friends. Piper's challenging and Biblically based worldview does not disappoint as he discusses the topic of marriage--but it's not just Piper on repeat; what he has to say on the topics of marriage, singleness and divorce is so crucial for this generation (as well as any other), and even if you've read a lot of Piper you will still benefit from this book.
Apr 06, 2010
Butch
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This is clearly the best book on marriage I've ever read, hands-down. John Piper states so profoundly what I've been convicted is the real purpose of marriage, raising our thoughts to something much higher, and in the process giving us the power to live out a Christ-exalting marriage. This is a must-read for everyone who's married or knows someone who's married.
Sep 27, 2011
Simon
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An outstanding treatment of the biblical account of marriage. A must read. He makes his case very clearly (which often involves a lot of repetition!) and succinctly.
This gets four stars because I find Piper a bit difficult to read. For a reason I can't put my finger on, his style and prose is not the best. Content and helpfulness it's 5 stars!
This gets four stars because I find Piper a bit difficult to read. For a reason I can't put my finger on, his style and prose is not the best. Content and helpfulness it's 5 stars!
Mar 30, 2011
Amy
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We read this in our church's small-group Sunday-night Bible study. It was so refreshing, in the midst of our busy lives with work and kids and extracurricular activities, to spend time focusing on our marriage with other Christian couples. As Christians, we know God expects much from our marriage, but it was really eye-opening to see just how seriously God takes the marriage vows. Our human marriage is compared to Christ's relationship to the church--both being so sacred and holy. When your
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Aug 27, 2009
John
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Piper never lacks boldness, and he is certainly not lacking in this book, especially the last two chapters where he takes a minority (very narrow) position on divorce and remarriage. He covers the gamut in the book and does so admirably, and while I wouldn't agree with him down the line, I appreciate and respect his approach as always.
Aug 25, 2010
Ken
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Excellent biblical view of marriage explained as only John Piper can. It was very convicting of my short-comings in marriage, yet gave me lots of hope and desire to be like Jesus, the Ultimate Bridegroom. I highly recommend this for newlyweds, those in premarriage counseling, or pre-divorce counseling.
Jan 31, 2011
Ben
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John Piper's view of marriage, radically changed mine. He presented a Christ centered, gospel fueled marriage ran on a covenant, more than on just being in love. His endless comparisons to the Church's marriage with Christ was excellent. Great read for married, divorced, widowed, or single; no matter where you are at in life!
Oct 26, 2009
Holly
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Piper repeatedly expresses how marriage is a covenant that exemplifies Christ's covenant with the church -- He is married to the church and will never break His covenant. This book is repitious in part, but the points he makes are so profound that they warrant repeating.
Nov 14, 2010
Ika
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i definitely recommend this book to everyone who is questioning what marriage is all about..
the first time i read thru this book I thought i will gain an understanding abt marriage (only). But it helped me to understand about God's love..
& that is what we need
the first time i read thru this book I thought i will gain an understanding abt marriage (only). But it helped me to understand about God's love..
& that is what we need
Feb 14, 2011
Alexander
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I'm pretty much done. I've really enjoyed it. There is a lot of wisdom in these pages. Each chapter stands on its own. I think the intro to the book was the most eye opening to me of anything that was said in this book. I recommend it.
Jun 11, 2010
Tina
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Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. This book focuses on forgiving and loving your spouse because that is what God has done for you. Piper addresses singleness and divorce, also. I read this book online at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibra...
Nov 06, 2009
Jonesey
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Excellent book. So helpful in hitting the reset button on the perspective of marriage. How our marriages picture the reality of Christ and His Bride, the Church and why that matters and what it means everyday. I highly recommend it!
Dec 01, 2008
Anna
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This is hands-down the best book I've read on marriage. Piper rises above the all-too-common stereotyping and cutesy anecdotes. Instead, he reflects on how marriage is a reflection of God's covenant-keeping love and how it is merely "momentary" - a foretaste of eternal glory to come. A must read for everyone, whether married or single.
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Apr 07, 2011
Terry
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This is a great book, if you are married or will be one day, then you need to read this.
I love the way that John Piper explains that the covenant of marriage should resemble the covenant that Christ makes to His bride - the Church.
This book has really changed how I think about marriage!
I love the way that John Piper explains that the covenant of marriage should resemble the covenant that Christ makes to His bride - the Church.
This book has really changed how I think about marriage!
Mar 13, 2010
Josh
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Great explanation of God's reason for creating marriage as a metaphor for Jesus relationship with the church. Also has good explanations about Biblical headship and submission and is insightful about parenting.
May 15, 2010
Go2therock
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This one is a keeper - among those I'd put together for my children when they marry. I would have given this 4.5 stars, or even 4.75 because of it's comprehensive and practical guidance that comes straight from the Word. I just felt that the issue of having children was fuzzy. John Piper is not known for shying away from things, which I LOVE about him. But I think this area did not have quite the cutting edge that I felt was in keeping with all else he dealt with.
High recommend More...
High recommend More...
Dec 20, 2009
Garland
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John Piper provides both theological foundations of marriage as well as practical insights he has gained from 40 years of marriage. The purpose of the book is to provide a theological framework for marriage from a biblical perspective. Piper believes that if you have a right theology of marriage, you will ultimately have a better practice of marriage.
My wife and I read this together and enjoyed it. We especially enjoyed some of the rich quotes from Bonhoeffer. Overall, I enjoyed More...
My wife and I read this together and enjoyed it. We especially enjoyed some of the rich quotes from Bonhoeffer. Overall, I enjoyed More...
May 19, 2011
Laura
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This book is very biblically based and repeatedly stresses God's purpose and design for marriage. It's not Piper's best book and some will find it difficult to read because his prose sometimes gets in its own way when trying to make a point clearer, but I would still recommend it. Maybe not for the casual or curious reader, but for those looking for a comprehensive look at biblical marriage.
We used this as a small group study in a couples group and found several people struggle More...
We used this as a small group study in a couples group and found several people struggle More...
Aug 22, 2009
Becky
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I started reading this book and I realized that it is his sermon series that I had already started. No wonder it sounded repetative. I like to listen to John, but not so much read him.
Jan 27, 2012
europeanne
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Piper has a big view of marriage that I needed to review. This book is packed full of exhortations, hope, and the promises of God.
Dec 22, 2011
Tim
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This book gives a overview of marriage looking at it from a exegetical perspective.
Aug 24, 2009
Megan
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A hard challange, but good bibilical encouragement and perspective for my marraige.
Dec 30, 2010
Celess
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This is the most Christ-centered book I've ever read on marriage. Fantastic!
