Reforming Marriage [Paperback]

Douglas Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995

How would you describe the spiritual aroma of your home? The source of this aroma is the relationship between husband and wife. Many can fake an attempt at keeping God's standards in some external way. What we cannot fake is the resulting, distinctive aroma of pleasure to God.

Reforming Marriage does what few books on marriage do today: it provides biblical advice. Douglas Wilson points to the need for obedient hearts on the part of both husbands and wives. Godly marriages proceed from obedient hearts, and the greatest desire of an obedient heart is the glory of God.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas Wilson is pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho and editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine. He is the author of Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning and contributor to Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of the Reformed Faith.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Canon Press; Revised edition (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885767455
• ISBN-13: 978-1885767455
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Wilson is the minister of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, which is a member of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). After his stint in the submarine service of the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Idaho, where he obtained an MA in philosophy.

As one of its founders, he has served on the board of Logos School, a classical and Christian school (K-12), since its inception. He is also a Senior Fellow of theology at New St. Andrews College. He is the author of numerous books, including Reforming Marriage, The Case for Classical Christian Education, Letter from a Christian Citizen, and Blackthorn Winter. He is also the general editor for the Omnibus textbook series. His blog can be found at www.dougwils.com.

All his favorite authors begin their names with initials--C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, H.L. Mencken, J.R.R. Tolkien, N.D. Wilson, and P.G. Wodehouse. The one exception is Nancy Wilson, a favorite author to whom he has been married for over thirty-four years. They have three children and fifteen grandchildren.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Magnifying God through Marriage April 21, 2001

By Brian G Hedges

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I read the sentence, "the chief end of marriage is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever" (p. 12), I was hooked. This is the best Christian book on marriage that I have read (and I've read a lot of them!). It is straightforward and to the point, Biblical, enjoyable, and practical.

Wilson covers topics well, dealing with the divine purpose for marriage (chapter 1), headship and authority (chapter 2), husband and wife roles (chapter 3), courtesy and romance (chapter 4), conflict resolution (chapter 5 - excellent!), temptations (chapter 6), sex (chapter 7), children (chapter 8), and divorce/remarriage (chapter 9).

There were several insights in this book that were especially helpful to me: particularly on the headship of husbands and the God-given (though different) orientations of men and women. Wilson wisely says: "The fundamental orientation of an obedient man is to his calling or vocation under God. Under normal circumstances, he cannot fulfill his calling alone - he needs help. The fundatmental orientation of an obedient woman is to give that help. Another way of saying this is that the man's orientation is to do the job with her help, while the woman's orientation is to help him do the job. He is oriented to the task, and she is oriented to him." (p. 65). That is excellent! If more couples understood that, a lot of needless misunderstanding would be avoided.

As a pastor, I have started using this book in premarital counseling. I think every Christian couple should read this book and do some hard thinking about marriage from a Biblical perspective.

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Finest Marriage Book Ever Written July 25, 2000

By Rod D. Martin

Format:Paperback

In just over 100 pages, Wilson manages to do what thousands of pages of the normal pablum never get done: explain clearly what marriage is in God's eyes; the exact inter-relationship between headship, service and love; and how to put things on track from the beginning (or put them back on track if need be).

Wilson's deep understanding of the practical outworking of covenants shines through every (often-humorous) paragraph, and his solidly-rooted theology keeps everything completely Christ-centered.

Yet while every theologian should read Reforming Marriage, this is not a book written for theologians: it is a book for every Christian. Your systematic theology prof and your seemingly-retarded teenager will draw equally well from its wisdom. That's quite a feat; and an accomplishment carried out by few so well or as consistently as by Wilson. Praise God that he carries it out with this particularly vital topic.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't hesitate; push the 1-Click Button now! October 4, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

If your marriage is in trouble, then get this book. I bought five copies of it, and I cycle them amongst my friends. My marriage is in great shape due to the sound, Biblical teachings in this book. It clearly defines the roles of both husband and wife. A must read for all Christians!