This book . . . is for those spouses who have discovered how challenging day-to-day marriage is and who are searching for practical resources to survive the sometimes overwhelming “fiery trials” of matrimony and to grow through them. Our society’s experience with marriage has given us the metaphor “the honeymoon is over.” This is a book for those who have experienced this as a literal truth and may have fallen back to earth with a thud. (Hardcover, pp. 10–11; paperback, p. 3)
DON’T BE NAÏVE OR CYNICAL. The Meaning of Marriage is a realistic book about marriage because the Bible is hyperrealistic about human beings. Marriage is a tremendous good. It was God’s idea, and the human race as a whole could not do without it. However, because we are sinners, marriage is not easy. So the Bible aligns neither with sentimentality around marriage that may have existed in our imagined past nor with the cynicism about it that characterizes our own time. In the past marriage was an absolute necessity for everyone—single adults were almost social pariahs. Today marriage is seen as just one more lifestyle option.3 Steering between these two distorted views is crucial if you are to either choose a marriage partner well or to live well with the spouse you have chosen.
Reflection: Considering these two distorted views—to which do you lean? Why? What effects has your inclination had on you?
Thought for prayer: Think of the Bible as a vast untapped resource for you as you live out your marriage. Ask God to reveal more and more of his wisdom regarding marriage to you from his Word.