25 Surprising Marriages: Faith-Building Stories from the Lives of Famous Christians [Paperback]

William J. Petersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

William Peterson looks closely at the marriages of 25 leaders in modern Christianity, looking for valuable lessons for dealing with such universal issues as financial worries, temptation, separation, and personality differences.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The marriages of exemplary Christians are not always models of Christian love, as Petersen shows in several of these accounts of the married lives of 25 well-known past and contemporary Christians. For example, John Wesley, father of the Methodist Church, entered an explosive union with Molly Vazeille, who finally left him after 25 years of marriage. Quaker author Hannah Whitall Smith (The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, 1874) ironically endured a marriage made wretched by her husband's instability and infidelity. Author Petersen, the editorial director of Fleming H. Revell and Chosen Books, writes in an engaging style that is humorous yet tempered with compassion.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Baker Pub Group; 2nd edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801057531
• ISBN-13: 978-0801057533
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,167,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Petersen is a retired senior editor with Revell and the author of more than 20 books, including "One Hundred Christian Books That Changed the Century" and "The One Year Book of Psalms." Ardythe Petersen has collaborated with her husband, William, on many books. They live in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading to see the example of a marriage unto God, February 14, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 25 Surprising Marriages: Faith-Building Stories from the Lives of Famous Christians (Paperback)

What a book! I have found each and very chapter interesting, encouraging and something that challenges me! This book goes through the lives of many godly saints through the years, and shows the value of a marriage unto God. It also shows the tragedy that can occur if one does not abide in Christ while being married, or if one spouse, specifically the wife, refuses to submit to the call of God on a preacher's life. These are normal, everyday men and women who heeded the call and what really happened behind the scenes. DLMoody and his unending energies married to a calm, sweet woman that behind the scenes held it all together. Charles Spurgeon and his wife, near genius herself and how she reverenced him, supported him and did him good all the days of his life. These are just some of the wonderful stories you will encouraged by. This is a must have for any serious Christian library and worth every penny spent!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ah, a realistic look at Christian marriages, May 8, 2002

By 

KK "kendraks" (Central IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 25 Surprising Marriages: Faith-Building Stories from the Lives of Famous Christians (Paperback)

It is nice to know that some of the great Christians may or may not have had storybook marriages. This was a great history read as well as a realistic look at marriage...personality differences, religious differences, or perfectly melded relationships. I could see myself and/or my husband in some of these stories and it gave good insight and brighter hope in cherishing differences but celebrating similiarities

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for all ministry couples!, March 29, 2000

By 

J. G. Alban (Lynchburg, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 25 Surprising Marriages: Faith-Building Stories from the Lives of Famous Christians (Paperback)

This was an excellent book that should be in the hands of all young couples entering into ministry. What can make or break a Christian marriage is certainly exemplified in the lives of these outstanding men of God! Consider this as a vital wedding gift to challenge the newlyweds to read from this together and set guidelines in their ministry marriage!