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

“Over the past few years we have seen a sudden outburst of gospel-driven, gospel-focused, gospel-shaped, and other gospel-hyphenated books. Gospel-Shaped Marriage is among the best of them and, I suspect, among the few that will have some longevity—and that’s because marriage truly is shaped by the gospel since it exists to display the gospel. It combines sound biblical teaching with helpful real-life application and does so in a way that can help change, improve, and perhaps even transform any marriage.”

“We need our local church family to teach us and train us and to remind us of God’s enabling grace. A good marriage is in one respect like a golf swing in that it is not easy but it is straightforward. Only in Jesus do we find freedom from the distortions created by sin, including in our marriages. My wife and I are greatly encouraged by this book. It is a privilege to be able to commend it to you in this way.”

“Sometimes the commands and ideals for marriage in the Scriptures can seem so far away from the reality of our relationships. We find our expectations for marriage and our roles as husbands and wives are shaped by many other things than what the Scriptures teach. In Gospel-Shaped Marriage, Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn thoughtfully work their way through pertinent passages with insight and humor, helping readers evaluate their attitudes, expectations, and aims in order to pursue marriages that are shaped by the gospel of grace.”

“You will find this: careful theology, brought to everyday life, with help and advice from Augustine, William Gouge—whom I didn’t know but writes as though he understands modern marriage—and others who thought about these matters long before us, written by a couple whom I deeply respect. Next up for my wife and me: talking about the questions for each chapter.”