Customer Reviews

Strengthening Your Marriage:this edition is out of print with the publisher Use ISBN 9780875523859

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wayne Mack completed his doctoral studies at Westminster Theological Seminary under the supervision of Jay E. Adams, who is world renowned for his Reformed approach to the field of counselling. Mack has largely followed in the footsteps of his mentor. He is the author of several books, all of which reflect the influence of the Jay Adams approach to counselling. Mack is currently the Director of the Christian Counselling and Educational Foundation in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Strengthening Your Marriage was initially developed as part of the requirements of Mack's doctoral program under Adams, and this practical volume is essentially the fruit of these studies. Not surprisingly, it reflects the sensible and solidly Biblical approach of Adams throughout.

Taking his starting point in the divine blueprint for marriage revealed in Genesis 2:24, Mack focuses on developing a Biblical understanding of becoming "one flesh" in all areas of marriage. Each area receives a solidly Biblical exposition, with the following topics being addressed: unity through understanding God's purpose for marriage; unity through a clear understanding of the wife's responsibilities and husband's responsibilities; unity through good communication; unity through financial agreement; sexual unity; unity through a common philosophy of raising children; promoting and maintaining unity by means of family religion. Each chapter is followed by a comprehensive set of questions which reinforce the content of the chapter by requiring the readers to study various Bible verses and apply these Biblical principles to their relationship.

Mack's intention is to promote solidly Biblical pre-marital and marital counselling. The book is primarily intended to be used by pastors and counsellors as a guide and workbook in such counselling. However, it also has the potential to be used as an effective tool by couples on their own.

The main strength of Strengthening Your Marriage is that it is thorough, Reformed, and Biblical. Mack constantly refers to Scripture, and yet has the gift of being very concrete and practical at the same time. Be warned however - the density of its content means that this book is not an easy armchair read. However, Mack never intended this to be an armchair read in the first place - it requires systematic study and work on the part of readers. Such study and work, however, is sure to reap rich rewards.

In short, pastors and elders alike will find Strengthening Your Marriage to be an excellent tool for dealing with the basic aspects of marriage. Jay Adam's recommendation is one I enthusiastically endorse: "Dr. Mack has produced a volume to which you will turn again and again. Buy it; it belongs on your shelf!"

I would have liked to give this three and a half stars, but since I have to use whole numbers only...

I picked this book up after seeing it recommended by my church. I was looking for a study my husband and I could do together, and this one seemed useful.
The book is laid out in outline format, with study questions at the end that you're supposed to go over with your spouse. We both liked that, because too many marriage books are verbose to a fault, laboring over simple points. While this author can tend to ramble, the outline format really limits that fault. The study questions range from simplistic to complicated, which is nice (again, too many study books have only simple questions). I was also impressed by the amount of scripture used to back his points. However, I think that he was a little free with his interpretation of scripture, stretching certain passages to say what he thinks they should say. There were a few other faults we found with the book, mostly having to do with the organization of materials and the quality of the writing.
Overall, I would recommend this book, both for pre-marital counseling and for use in established marriages. There are plenty of useful points, and it's a good refresher on old information (for those who are Christians and who have been married for a while...like my husband and me). It's definitely better than a lot of marriage counseling books out there, and our complaints are minor in light of the usefulness of the information presented here.

Wayne Mack wrote this book 19 years ago and it continues to be the best and most practical and effective for couples seeking long term biblical change. This is an explicitly Christian resource. It is understandable and down to earth. It is also only for the stout of heart who are ready to look hard at themselves and who want God's help to change in the setting of their marriages.

It clarifies many issues on marriage such as communication, finance, sex and the roles & responsibilities of each spouse from the light of the holy scripture. Pertinent and practical ideas and advice are offered. There is a section for discussion which is especially useful for bible study purpose.

I use this text as a small group Bible study leader, as well as a reference for biblical counseling. It is satured in Scripture as it explores a wide variety of marital issues, beginning with the biblical origins and purposes for the institution. Wayne Mack leaves no stone unturned in addressing the most common, and often the most perplexing, issues raised by real couples living out real marriages before the Lord.

This volume is best used for the purposes mentioned above for two reasons. First, the text is written in outline form rather than straight prose. Although the author's thoughts are effectively communicated, I found this a bit distracting -- thus four stars instead of five. Second, the real value of the book is found in the voluminous guided study exercises at the end of each chapter. These are excellent in the small group setting, or as homework assignments for counselees to delve into the Scriptures in a purposeful, directed way. As a biblical marriage counselor, this book should be on the short list of your most useful tools.

Reading this book and applying it's concepts have been a blessing to my marriage .I bought this book to help me improve my relatioship with my wife,especially in those areas concerning financial responsibilities,I thirst for knowledge especially as a newly wed living in a these times where divorce is the order of the day.I had to equip myself,I made a $10 investment I can tell you today that the returns from that investment have exceeded my expectations.

The practical explanations and biblical references made in the book makes it an easy read.I recommend this book to anyone looking to make their marriage all what God wants their marriage to be..and more !!!

This book was very Helpful. I found myself using all the information it provided, and it helped me avoid problems in the beginning part of my marriage. I would recommend this book to anyone getting married.

Wayne Mack sets up this book in an awesome and understandable format. He uses an outline format for the whole book in which he makes points about different things pertaining to the marriage relationship. He uses Scripture to support every single point that he makes in the book and shows God's blueprint or idea for marriage throughout the pages. I am not finished reading the book for I am going through it with my campus pastor who is doing premarital counseling with my fiance and I. Thus far however I am so excited about this book and look forward to all that God will teach me through it!

This book was in very good shape to be used. As for reading, it is awesome. Thank you.

So far this book has really been a wakeup for our group, especially in how we relate to our parents and what not to do as our kids grow...