"An exposition of the the church's union with Christ through the biblical analogy of marriage"--

“We all know that the perfect family does not exist, nor a perfect husband or wife”. (Pope Francis – Feb. 2014) In his thought provoking book, John Cogavin, sets out to demonstrate how every wife and husband, despite imperfections, can deepen and develop their relationship through their spirituality. Reflecting on personal, Christian and married spirituality the book goes on to delve into the timeless question: What is Love? It facilitates the couple as they journey together on their special path, exploring each other’s individual uniqueness as human and spiritual beings. Tracing the history and significance of marriage in society, the book unfolds the fundamentals of the commitment of love, involving the totality of each person. Showing how as a couple grow in friendship, fun and freedom they become what it is they wish to be in their own space, time and place. A place where each can be vulnerable, feel like they belong and in a communion of hearts surrender to the other in the intimacy of love. The Spirituality of Married Life; can give a once-in-a-life time opportunity to step back from the hectic pace of life, to reflect on your own spirituality from a holistic and married perspective. The book will help those preparing for marriage, others setting out on the journey and those couples seeking added spiritual richness within their relationships. John writes from his own life experience. He is married to Elaine and they have three adult sons. The book reflects their search together as a couple supporting each other in finding real meaning and purpose in their married life.

When it comes to marriage these days, anything goes. No wonder you can find a book on marriage from every perspective--or no perspective. How can you experience a great marriage that lasts? What works? This book answers that question by shining a light on the biblical design for marriage. In a world of sexual and relational confusion, isn't it time to consult the One who created marriage? Author and pastor Chip Ingram, with his characteristic compassion, transparency, and engaging storytelling, discusses - what marriage really is - the biblical model - a man's unique role in marriage - a woman's unique role in marriage - the bigger picture of why God created marriage A marriage that works, says Ingram, is more wonderful than you thought possible and harder than you imagined--but worth the work. Couples will learn the power of making a covenant with their spouse and fulfilling their design in an atmosphere of respect, resulting in the spiritual, psychological, emotional, and physical oneness they long to have with each other.

"As a paradigm patterned after the chaste union of Mary and Joseph, spiritual marriage upheld Christian doctrine; as a spontaneous practice, however, it aroused the suspicion of the very church authorities who extolled its virtues. Through this union women could achieve a measure of spiritual and physical autonomy, which threatened not only their husbands' authority but also that of the clergy. Elliott shows how spiritual marriage could be manipulated by male-dominated institutions as well: it enabled early medieval kings to mask their unilateral repudiation of infertile wives, the church to establish the roots of a ritually pure priesthood, and the late medieval clergy to underline female submission to patriarchal authorities. Far from being a curiosity peripheral to the study of Christian sexuality, spiritual marriage emerges as far-reaching in its implications and long-lasting in its influences."--BOOK JACKET.

Christian marriage offers the daring proposition that, inspired by faith, two people might unconditionally bind themselves together for life without destroying each other in the process! This revised and updated edition offers a set of honest and penetrating reflections on the challenges of living faithful Christian marriage today. Chapter 1: Alerts couples to today's cultural forces that shape their understanding and practice of married life. Chapter 2: Our deepest religious convictions provide a basis for a spirituality of marriage. Chapter 3: It is important to see our spouses as "companions" on the journey. Chapter 4: Married couples must also embrace the call to conversion and recognize that their marriage will be the privileged place wherein they will work out their salvation. Chapter 5: Reflections avoid both an overly romantic treatment of marital sexuality and the reduction of sex to procreative obligations. Chapter 6: Marriage is a vocation to Christian mission. One's obligations as parents are an invitation to create in the home a school for Christian discipleship. Gaillardetz creatively draws on the deep wisdom of our Christian tradition while reflecting on the lived experience of marriage. Written with a refreshing sense of candor and humor, this book is informative, lively, and personal, providing wonderful insight into the daring adventure of Christian marriage. Paperback

The Spirituality of Christian Marriage By: Rev. Fr. Cyril O. Apassa Ed.D. The Spirituality of Christian Marriage shows readers that they are called to respond to God’s call to holiness – and that holiness is not limited to the sanctuary. Those who have been cohabitating should endeavor to legitimize their union. This is a resource book for those preparing candidates for marriage.

Peter Jeffery explores in depth the Catholic tradition which has shaped our teaching and our living, following two principal themes--marriage as covenant and family as a domestic church. He shows how the family, with all its relationships, is sacramental.

Most women in the church don't aspire to "lord" it over men, nor do they want to scramble for position. Instead, they want to be accepted as full participants in God's work, sharing in kingdom tasks in ways that use their gifts appropriately. In Gender Roles and the People of God, author, radio host, and professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Alice Mathews surveys the roles women have played in the Bible and throughout church history, demonstrating both the inspiring contributions of women and the many hurdles that have been placed in their path. Along the way, she investigates the difficult passages often used to preclude women from certain areas of service, pointing to better and more faithful understandings of those verses. Encouraging and hopeful, Mathews aims for an "egalitarian complementarity" in which men and women use all of their gifts in the church together, in partnership, for the glory of God.

This book seeks to open the possibility of a unique spirituality for any couple seeking to respond to God's presence in their lives.