INTRODUCTION

At a Glance

This book is an extended review of The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller, with Kathy Keller. Using the Bible to form a theological understanding of marriage, Keller addresses today’s cultural understanding (or, as he sees it, misunderstanding) of marriage, and then clarifies it in light of God’s plan. Keller contrasts romantic love with covenantal love and sex, showing that love and sex viewed through a biblical lens have a sacred beauty. He describes the higher meaning and purpose of marriage, and speaks of ways to transcend selfishness and embrace a husband’s and wife’s roles within marriage. He speaks to single people about how best to embrace their singleness while staying open to God’s plan. The Meaning of Marriage is a book rich in biblical and theological insight about the mystery of marriage.

This extended review begins with a brief introduction to the book. It provides some background information about authors Timothy Keller and his wife, Kathy, and details about how this book came about. Reviews and reactions to the book from reviewers, bloggers, and readers, both positive and negative, are given. There is a brief synopsis of The Meaning of Marriage, then the three key points of Keller’s book are broken down and examined, followed by examples from the book and some practical suggestions for how to apply these ideas in everyday life. Finally, the main ideas contained in The Meaning of Marriage are revisited, in a way that may inspire readers to explore this book further. There is also a glossary of key terms used in the book and a list of recommended reading to deepen the reader’s knowledge of Christian marriage and its mysteries.