Books › The Meaning of Marriage
The Meaning of Marriage
330 pages
A thoughtful, anchoring exploration of love that trades the fragile myth of the soulmate for the resilient beauty of covenant.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting in a quiet, well-lit study with a wise mentor who is both unflinchingly realistic about human flaws and deeply optimistic about grace. The pace is steady and deliberate, inviting readers to pause and reflect as it gently dismantles the exhausting cultural myths of effortless romance and perfect soulmates. Instead, it builds a contemplative, anchoring atmosphere rooted in covenantal love and mutual sanctification. The prose is intellectually robust yet warmly pastoral, blending theological depth with lived experience. It is a profoundly hopeful experience, designed for anyone who desires a vision of companionship that survives the fading of initial infatuation and grows into a resilient, transformative partnership.
- Mood
- contemplative
- anchoring
- hopeful
- serious
- Tone
- pastoral
- intellectual
- earnest
- grounded
- compassionate
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- covenantal love · dismantling romantic myths · sanctification through relationship · grace and forgiveness · the illusion of the soulmate
- The writing
- The writing is clear, articulate, and logically structured, blending theological depth with a warm, conversational accessibility.
- The arc
- The journey moves from a sobering deconstruction of modern romantic ideals to a deeply hopeful, grace-filled vision of lifelong commitment.
- Who it's for
- Readers seeking a robust, theologically grounded framework for relationships that transcends superficial romance and embraces the hard work of mutual growth.
Content notes
- discussions of divorce
- marital conflict
About the book
There has never been a marriage book like The Meaning of Marriage. Based on the acclaimed sermon series by author Timothy Keller, this book shows everyone -- Christians, skeptics, singles, long-time married couples, and those about to be engaged -- the vision of what marriage should be according to the Bible. Modern culture would make you believe that everyone has a soul-mate; that romance is the most important part of a successful marriage; that your spouse is there to help you realize your potential; that marriage does not mean forever, but merely for now; that starting over after a divorce is the best solution to seemingly intractable marriage issues. All those modern-day assumptions are, in a word, wrong. Using the Bible as his guide, coupled with insightful commentary from his wife of thirty-six years, Kathy, Timothy Keller shows that God created marriage to bring us closer to him and to bring us more joy in our lives. It is a glorious relationship that is also the most misunderstood and mysterious. With a clear-eyed understanding of the Bible, and meaningful instruction on how to have a successful marriage, The Meaning of Marriage is essential reading for anyone who wants to know God and love more deeply in this life. - Publisher.
Description from Open Library.
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