Marriage: It's a God Thing

By William P. Roberts

Book Overview

A much richer understanding of the meaning of Christian marriage as a sacrament has evolved. This book...in concrete, practical ways tries to show how that can make a difference in the day-to-day lives of the couple striving for a happier, more fulfilling and holier marriage. --From the Foreword

Marriage is not a mere social convention or an inferior way of following Christ, but truly a vocation. Rather than providing obstacles to spiritual growth, marriage can be the very vehicle by which it is achieved. By offering practical tips on what might seem a very esoteric subject, this book can help a couple achieve a deeper intimacy with one another and God by understanding the importance of their relationship and responding to its challenges with prayer, honesty and introspection.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0867167475
• ISBN13: 9780867167474
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Franciscan Media
• Length: 163 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Enriching the Vocation of Marriage

William P. Roberts, Ph.D., a professor of theology at the University of Dayton, has written and edited numerous books and articles on Christian marriage and the family. In Marriage: It's a God Thing, he writes of marriage as an ongoing journey enriched by a deepening relationship with God and our spouse as we experience the realities of married life. Using subheads, lists, notes, and discussion questions, Roberts provides a clear and practical resource for married couples and those who minister to them. The work is organized into three sections, each consisting of an introduction; several chapters containing reflections, examples, and scriptural references; a concluding prayer; and questions for discussion. Part 2, Marriage as a Unique Vocation, is based on the premise that Christian marriage is a God-given vocation rooted in our baptismal call. Roberts looks into three characteristics of the "dark side" of marriage: selfishness, patriarchal entitlement, and destructive forms of rivalry. He then suggests ways to convert each into its positive opposite: generosity, equality, and cooperation. In the same section, he examines aspects of holiness from Matthew's version of the beatitudes: poverty of spirit, gentleness, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. These, Roberts writes, exemplify the "fullness of holiness and the perfection of love" for which married couples strive. In the epilogue, Roberts describes practices within marriage, such as dedicated service to spouse and family and marital faithfulness, through which couples "can help disperse the clouds that threaten society and family life today."