Book Review {Mark Driscoll’s Real Marriage}

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In true Mark-Driscoll style, Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship, and Life Together  is in-your-face but full of Biblical truth. Ben and I have long been followers of the Driscolls because they, like us, are church planters and it’s nice to see somebody who did that *crazy* thing and survived!

It was very eye-opening to read about the Driscolls’ problems in early marriage. Upon planting the church, they entered into a very high-stress, over-working situation (yes, I understand this!) and basically, their marriage was not doing well. At all. In their words, “… in reality, we were more life partners than lovers and friends…”  I love their honesty in the book, and how they decided that something needed to change.

Mark mentions that they read and/or perused over 40 books on marriage before writing this one, and not one of them had a chapter on friendship in marriage! That is a true tragedy as it’s one of the greatest things about marriage- you get to live with your best friend!  Grace says, “It is easier for a woman to think of doing life with a friend than with a dictator or unemotional ruler.” Amen sister, amen.

I also love that they bring up the topic of selfishness. Honestly, that causes just about 99% of problems in marriage, and the Driscolls point out how our world  spurs on selfishness.

Basically, this book is very helpful and encouraging in many ways. Whether you have been married 20 years or are considering marriage, I recommend that you read this New York Times #1 Bestseller.

One disclaimer, the chapters on sex are pretty detailed, which is fine for married or very-close-to-married people, but if you are single I would encourage you to wait to read these chapters. As I told a friend earlier, it is better not to “awaken love before it is ready.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, paraphrased by me)

You can click the Amazon link below to buy the book, or check it out at your library.

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