Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints

In this retrograde guide, husband and wife Chad (God’s Ambassadors), a professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Emily Van Dixhoorn, a Bible studies leader, provide largely outdated marriage advice for Christian couples. Drawing on personal stories, scripture, and the writings of pastor William Gouge, the authors lay out the biblical foundations of marriage, offer verses for dealing with conflict, and advocate for extending grace to one’s partner (“Let us never forget that each of us is marrying a sinner and not a savior”). The Van Dixhoorns unpack Bible verses about marital gender roles, considering Peter’s possible meanings when he calls wives “weaker vessels,” and concluding that “a woman is a wonderful gift to a man.” Citing Paul in Corinthians, the authors assert that Christians should only marry other Christians: “All other arrangements, no matter what the motive, are forbidden.” They also recommend “mutual submission,” by which both spouses strive to make the other’s “task as much of a joy as possible.” Conservative stances on gender roles (“wives are to submit to and respect their husbands”) and gay marriage (“marriage is for a man and a woman”) ensure that this will only appeal to the staunchest of traditionalists. This largely feels like an artifact of a bygone time. (June)