God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation (Second Edition)

by Andreas J. Köstenberger and David W. Jones

Book Overview

The release of the landmark first edition of God, Marriage, and Family provided an integrated, biblical treatment of God's purposes for the home. Since then, explain authors Andreas K stenberger and David Jones, the crisis confronting modern households has only intensified, and yet the solution remains the same: obedience to and application of God's Word.

In the second edition of God, Marriage, and Family, K stenberger and Jones explore the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1433503646
• ISBN13: 9781433503641
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Crossway
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation

God Marriage and Family is a great resource. Myself and my fiancee read this together in preparations for premarital counseling, and this book brought up so much that we would not have even thought about until it could have been a point of struggle in our lives later on. It is very thorough, giving many different views for the topics that it covers. It is grounded in the teachings of the Bible, comparing the views in both the Old and New Testament while not taking things out of context. I would recommend this book to any and all couples that are currently married, but would also recommend this for engaged couples, as well as dating couples and for parents of children in high school age where dating starts getting "serious".

God, Marriage, and Family

I am reading this book for my senior bible class (I attend a Christian school), Marriage & Family. I love how Kostenberger uses the Scriptures to support what he says, instead of just trying to "Dr.Phil" the reader. It really helps me to understand WHY it's important to have a biblical marriage, and HOW that can be achieved. I will keep this book after senior year to use once I'm married!

Superb and Biblically Balanced

This is one of the best books that I have read concerning God's intent for the marriage relationship. It covers the difficult issues of divorce, abortion, homosexuality, and others that many are afraid to address. The authors return the reader to Adam and Eve and Old Testament principles, progressing to Jesus' teachings and New Testament principles on each issue. A special section concerning spiritual warfare is provided depicting not only the "what" but the "how to" of spiritual warfare. I recommend this to anyone who desires a thorough understanding of God's desire for the marriage and family relationship.

Solid and encompassing

I had one of these authors for two classes in seminary and he was always informative and provoking. This book is an exhaustive, for the average person, biblical treatment of the subjects of marriage and family. Anyone who works with families and children should have this book, and will use it time and time again. I have worked it into parenting classes, and while it may be a little on the thick side for a new Christian it lends itself nicely to borrowing ideas and material to give a more shallow curriculum some meat. Get a few copies to give away during counseling and classes.

Best book for this subject available

At a time of crisis in marriages and in family relationships, this refreshing and thought provoking book is one of very few that examines and tackles what the Bible has to say about marriage, family and other related subjects. There are ethical discussions on reproductive health and rights, and a discussion on the role of women in society. It may change your views on birth control and reproduction as Dr. Köstenberger addresses "how to think GOD'S way." It honestly discusses Jesus' teachings on homosexuality, the gift of singleness, celibacy, parenting, and divorce and remarriage. The ideas are not only for married men and women, but for all of us! They offer practical advice on the issue of purity, even for those who consider themselves anything but pure! At a time of crisis in relationships, this Scripture based book shares examples of restoration of God's ideals for marriage and family, reminding men and women to take proper care of their relationships to ensure themselves the happiness they yearn for in marriage. It was helpful as Dr. Köstenberger addressed gender roles, men submitting to Christ, and the husband's authority over women with the husband being the ultimate authority over family. It presents the woman's role, discussing the Proverbs 31 wife, giving everyday advice on how to be a "suitable helper," presenting children, and providing her husband with companionship. He spends a chapter on sex and communication that I found helpful because he spoke from both the perspective of the wife and the husband, and addresses key issues for each. There is a fascinating chapter devoted to biblical teachings about child rearing, obedience, proper discipline, and introducing children to a personal relationship with "God in Christ." While the child's responsibility toward their own parents changes after they have established a new family, Köstenberger emphasizes that children are mandated to honor parents, and that rebellion against parents is tantamount to disrespect toward God himself, putting it "on the same level as treason and idol worship." I highly recommend this book. It is practical and down-to-earth, inspiring us to persevere in marriage as a sacred covenant entered into before God. Dr. Köstenberger writes on how to have a great marriage by keeping God at the center of our relationships, and to bear and raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He addressed spiritual warfare and proper use of spiritual weapons. His examples were great for supporting a case to defend marriage as well as a case against homosexual unions. I found the insight on divorce to be helpful. The end of the book contains a helpful personal and group study guide. I would recommend this book to Christian as well as non-Christian couples. "Marriage and family are good gifts from a great God." I have already applied some principles of this in my life, and it DOES make a difference.