Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? [SACRED MARRIAGE] [Unknown Binding]

Product Details

• Unknown Binding
• Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company (February 28, 2002)
• ASIN: B001TIKJIA
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,309,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships. Gary's unique message will help you:

* Embrace the unique way that you interact with God.
* Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse.
* Build a closer, grace-based family.
* Enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.

Find out more at: www.GaryThomas.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EVERYONE Should Read This Book!, January 21, 2010

By 

Nana Shutters (Lafayette, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Marriage Participant's Guide: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? (Paperback)

Next to the Bible itself, Sacred Marriage has been more helpful to me than any other book I've ever read -- and I've read a lot! I've read way too many of what my sister calls "Suck it up, Sweetie" books -- you know, the ones that tell you that if you make menu plans, get the laundry done regularly and have sex at your husband's every whim you will have a wonderful marriage. Those books are more discouraging than anything else, and I believe they cause more harm than good.

Gary's book isn't like that. It hleps you to focus on the true goal - not how to have a wonderful marriage, but how to how to have a wonderful relationship with God, no matter what your marriage is like. Of course, I've found that following the biblical principals in this book, my marriage is much more satisfying -- even though nothing much has changed other than my own heart and my own focus.

Thank you, Gary, for writing a no-nonsense book that simply gives us the message of the Bible in relevant ways. The principals in this book not only apply to marriage, but to every aspect of life. I highly recommend it! (I've already worn out 5 copies and have given out at least that many to others.)

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and bears repeat reading, without question, January 24, 2010

By 

Brett D. McLaughlin (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? [SACRED MARRIAGE]

"Sacred Marriage" continues to be my go-to book on marriage (which by definition for me could be restated as "Christian marriage"). This is my third reading, and I still find myself underlining passages, "hmm"-ing out loud, and learning. Thomas treats marriage as a vehicle for relating ourselves toward God and sanctification rather than an end unto itself. That along makes the book unique and profound.

The subtitle explains the premise of the book: "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" This question is one that is explored on every page of every chapter. Thomas' concept is simply stated, albeit hard to live: is the end of marriage personal happiness, or sanctification? It's obvious that Thomas believes the end of marriage is indeed personal sanctification, and Scripture would bear out his conclusions.

Because of this unusual premise, the chapters in the book are not what you might expect. Each chapter deals with one area of personal holiness that marriage deals with: truth about God, good prayer, building character, serving, and so forth. In other words, you won't find the typical chapters on "finances," "in-laws," "sex," and so forth. That sort of inward focus--how can this or that area of marriage be improved--goes against the very nature of what Thomas writes: God is most glorified not when a marriage is pleasing to those involved, but when those involved are focused on Christ, rather than themselves or even each other.

As much as the book is excellent, though, it needs some complementing. Because of the Godward-focus, there are areas that married coupled should investigate, in light of a God-glorifying lens. Sexuality must be examined, probably in greater light than does Thomas. The same is certainly true for gender roles and headship. This is not an end-all resource, but it doesn't seem to attempt that goal. It does purport to be a central guide and correction for marriages that are focused on satisfaction in self and each other, though, and that is much needed.

If you believe Scripture to be true, you really have no good excuse for not purchasing this book. It bears repeated readings, and will challenge your ideas about marriage many times over.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sacred Marriage, July 14, 2009

By 

R. Whitaker (Newnan, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Marriage Participant's Guide: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? (Paperback)

I found this book to be a unique view on marriage. So many books out there are all about what can marriage do for me and instead this book is about how God intended marriage to be and how that works for your spouse and yourself. It also is not a to do list of the things to do to improve your marriage. This book is more about the basis for a good marriage designed by God.