Customer Reviews

Forgiveness (Intimate Marriage)

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The Intimate Marriage series is hit and miss. The "Forgiveness" study is not very strong.

The doctrine is solid. For example, they explore the effects of sin in marriage by studying Genesis 3:1-7 (the Fall) and Romans 7 (Pauls' personal struggle with sin). They encourage honest self-evaluation according to Psalm 51 (David's confession after sinning with Bathsheba) and according to the log and the speck in Matthew 7:1-6. They encourage couples to consider the grace of God in the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35. All of this content is solid.

However, the study questions and side-bar insights fall flat. The study fails like a sermon that is entirely correct, but not well applied. Stronger studies by the same authors include Sexual Intimacy: 6 Studies for Individuals, Couples or Groups (Intimate Marriage) (benefiting from Longman's expertise in the Song of Songs) and Communication: 6 Studies For Individuals, Couples or Groups (Intimate Marriage) (benefiting from Longman's expertise in the Proverbs). In both studies the scholarship is deep, the insights profound and the questions penetrating. Another weak study is Dreams and Demands: 6 Studies for Individuals, Couples or Groups (Intimate Marriage). (That study addresses a random collection of marriage problems including barrenness, jealousy, financial stress and past abuse - but no subject is handled thorougly.)

For couples who want to study sin and forgiveness, I would recommend the book When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage. Easy to read, Gospel-centered, insightful, joyful and convicting.