Married Christians, and those preparing for marriage, know that they’re sinners—and that their sin threatens God’s great purposes for their union, including mutual support, companionship, and intimacy. But how often do believers recognize that they are also saints, equipped through God’s power to create a healthy, loving marriage?
In Gospel-Shaped Marriage, Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn encourage couples with how Christ calls and enables them to love their spouse. They give a brief assessment of the biblical design for marriage while offering practical, proven advice for husbands and wives. Drawing from Scripture and the writings of Puritan minister William Gouge, their advice also prepares churches, friends, and others to support married couples in their lives.
- Comprehensive and Theological: Includes a summary of marriage in redemptive history, recommended Bible verses with each chapter, and prayer prompts
- Accessible: Offers guidance for singles preparing for marriage, young and mature couples, struggling couples, and those who want to strengthen their relationship
- Practical Advice: Written by a pastor and his wife, this concise, easy-to-understand guide includes discussion questions for each chapter
Read Chapter 1
Foreword by Alistair Begg
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Bible and Marriage
Chapter 2: History and Marriage
Chapter 3: Grace in Marriage
Chapter 4: Women and Marriage
Chapter 5: Men and Marriage
Chapter 6: Winning in Marriage
Chapter 7: Family and Marriage
Chapter 8: Bedtime in Marriage
Chapter 9: Growing in Marriage
Appendix: How to Change Your Spouse in Three Easy Steps
Authors
Chad Van Dixhoorn (PhD, Cambridge University) is professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary and a former pastor in the United Kingdom and in Virginia. He is the author of Confessing the Faith and God’s Ambassadors.
Emily Van Dixhoorn (MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a stay-at-home mom who leads and loves Bible studies and women’s retreats. Her first publication was a study guide to the book Confessing the Faith, a commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith. Chad and Emily have five children.
Endorsements
“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.” - Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher; author, Blessed
“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.” - Edward T. Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation
