Resources on Gospel-Shaped Marriage & Dating
November 16, 2009
Dating
- Articles at Boundless
- Chapter 3 from Mark Driscoll’s Religion Saves: and 9 other misconceptions
- Doing What’s Right in Matters of the Heart/free ebook (Ensor) – eminently practical guide to manhood and womanhood is available
Marriage
- Sacred Marriage (Gary Thomas) – argues that marriage is for holiness as much as it is for happiness. Love this quote: “We don’t fall out of love as much as we fall out of repentance.”
- When Sinners Say I Do (Harvey) – heavy on the gospel-centered dynamic between husband and wife
- God, Marriage, & Family (Kostenberger) – uber-biblical, with a twist of practical. Great for reference and finer concerns.
- The Momentary Marriage/free ebook (Piper) – God-centered, biblical, and practical. I really enjoyed this new book by Piper that sets your marriage in the larger context of the glory of God and the mission of the church.
- The Mystery of Marriage (Mason) – more philosophical reflections on marriage. Our copy of this book is legendary. We read it in 2000 and keep bumping into people who have read our copy, and say they love the book. Weird.
- Love that Lasts Riccucis – marital wisdom for a lifetime. The Riccucis are transparent and helpful.
- “First Year Off” (of marriage) – how much time to spend together the first year of marriage. Don’t forsake mission, but don’t forsake one another.
- “How Do Husbands Love Wives?” – cultural and biblical reflections on love
- “Marriage: Cynicism and Idolatry” – things that keep us from the joy of marriage
Also see recent sermon: Restoring the Symmetry: Marriage & Singleness
Creation Project 
Jonathan. Need to add to the list “Each for the Other” by Bryan Chapell and “Holding Hands, Holding Hearts” by Phillips. I also really appreciate the book “Intimate Mystery” by Allender and Longman.
Thanks, Scott. I couldn’t recommend those because I haven’t read them, though they certainly look good, and I love Allender’s writing.
Just went to a marriage conference with Gary Thomas as the headliner. I had not heard of him, so I had no idea what to expect. Usually at these sorts of things you get 7 Steps to Better Sex. Gary was the complete opposite (though he did have a really good talk on sex). He is world class and gospel centered. I almost fell out of my seat when he started the morning talking about sin.
His main tag line is so helpful: “What if God designed marriage not to make us happy but to make us holy?”
Thanks for pointing to his book.
What you would say are some good resources for me as I am engaged?
Sure.
First Year Off – article
When Sinners Say I Do
Tons of stuff at Boundless // Girls and Guys Guide to Engagement
Articles from CCEF by Tripp
Love the blog post! Jessicahttp://www.zarpie.com/