My Review of THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE by Timothy Keller

“There has never been a book on marriage like THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE.” This blurb on the inside dust jacket of Timothy Keller's latest book, co-written with his wife Kathy, is exactly right. Keller, using his usual use of words to communicate important concepts in fresh and stirring ways, elevates marriage to the place that the Bible elevates it.

In a world where marriage is often treated as something to be tried out and thrown away if left unsatisfying, Keller shows how marriage is actually an incredible gift to humanity and an important way for people to grow into the people God desires them to be. Marriage, though at times difficult, is meant to provide some of the greatest joy that two people can experience, as well as some of the most beneficial growth contexts.

Keller takes us on a journey through some of the most prevalent misconceptions about marriage and how important our perceptions are in how we approach marriage. Using the most important biblical texts on marriage, Keller shows us how marriage is meant to draw us closer to the heart of God and reflect the incredible love and sacrifice of Jesus. For marriage to thrive, Keller tells us, we have to put our inherent self-centeredness to death. In fact, self-centeredness is the number threat to a healthy marriage.

Keller shows us the power of grace, love, and truth in marriage as we learn to love someone who is really a stranger who we are discovering more and more of throughout the relationship. He shows how the biblical view of marriage is marriage as covenant, and he makes a compelling case for commitment and promise-keeping as a means to deeper love, stronger passion, and closer friendship.

I picked up THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE as a husband and as a follower of Jesus. I've been married to my wife for eight years, and I can say that she makes me better than I could be on my own. Desiring to always grow as a husband, father, and Christ follower, I found THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE to be insightful, biblical, and incredibly motivating to follow Jesus more and to pursue my wife even more.

Timothy Keller has been one of my favorite writers since I read his first book THE REASON FOR GOD a few years ago. THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE is an important book both for married couples and singles wanting a biblical and life-giving view of marriage.

I received this book for free for review from Dutton, a division of Penguin Books