Staying Married is Not About Staying in Love is the title of Chapter One in John Piper’s This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence. Very different from the world has to say on the subject of marriage, isn’t it? In fact, the entire book is very contrary to society’s take on the bonds of matrimony. To the world, they are bonds easily broken without a second thought. To which Piper responds, “Staying married, therefore, is not mainly about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant” (p. 25).
This Momentary Marriage is a work that flies in the face of conventional thought on marriage, specifically its purpose. Piper delves into the Scripture to uncover what marriage portrays to the world around us.
The ultimate thing we can say about marriage is that it exists for God’s glory. That is, it exists to display God. Now we see how: Marriage is patterned after Christ’s covenant relationship to his redeemed people, the church. And therefore, the highest meaning and the most ultimate purpose of marriage is to put the covenant relationship of Christ and his church on display. That is why marriage exists. If you are married, that is why you are married. If you hope to be, that should be your dream. (p. 25)
Piper points out, through Scripture, the roles a husband and wife must assume in order to achieve a covenant-keeping marriage. He doesn’t say it will be easy. He does say that it will be worth the effort. (By the way, Piper and his wife have been married 40 years.)
Whether you’re still single, a newlywed, or even if you’ve just celebrated your silver anniversary, This Momentary Marriage is a book that will change the way you feel about marriage. It will cause you to strive for something more meaningful than the love that chick flicks and romance novels sell us. It will open your eyes to the greatest love ever found.
At 5 Minutes for Books, we rate our best of the best books as 5 Star Reads. This book has been added to that list. Check out the others.
If you’d like to win one of THREE copies (U.S. residents) please leave a comment here if you’d like to win. We’ll announce the winners in next Monday’s book review column right here.
The winners of Chicken Soup for the Soul’s True Love are #29 Lavonne, #7 Linda Kish, #36 Cindi.
Disclosure: Thanks to Crossway for allowing me to review this book.
5 Minutes for Books contributor Melissa & her husband are nearing their 17th anniversary, but she still has much to learn about marriage. She resides in Virginia and blogs at Breath of Life.
I’d love to read this. Thanks for the possibility.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds wonderful – God has been opening my eyes in the last year or so to His meaning of marriage, and this book sounds like it will be even more revelatory!!
I would love to read this book!
My family are all big John Piper fans and I’ve never read anything of his. I’d LOVE to read this one, as I’m always up for a new perspective on marriage and family. Thanks for the chance.
Would love to read this!
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/02/this-momentary-marriage.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I’d love to read about marriage from this perspective! I am fortunate to have a wonderful marriage, but there’s always more to learn!
I have your button linked on my blog.
I am a subscriber.
I’m a subscriber.
I hope I’m not too late. I could really use this book.
Sounds very interesting, and I’d really like to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
My husband and I love Piper, so this would be a great addition to our library.
This looks like an amazing book, I would love to win a copy!
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
i’d love to win thanks
I would love to add this book to my collection of books on marriage!
I’d love to win and read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
This one sounds even better than last week! Thanks, BTW, for the win of that one. I do love marriage books. 🙂
I would like to read this book, seems to be the “real deal” about marriage.
This books sounds wonderful!!
Wow. This sounds like a fantastic book that I would love to read and then pass around my circle of friends. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a great book..cant wait to read it!
Sounds like a wonderful read! Thanks for the chance
matternu@gmail.com
I love this subject. Count me in!
I almost ordered this for Valentine’s Day – I guess that means I’m supposed to win. 🙂
Although not personally married, I would like this for my son and his wife.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I’d love to read that book!
I would like to read this. It is a rough time in my own marriage even though I am a Christian Christ follower. It sure would not hurt me and help is always just around the corner.
I’d love to win this book. John Piper is one of my favorite authors.
I’m looking forward to meeting you at Disney Social Media Moms!
This is a Piper book I don’t have, but I would love to win it!
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love John Piper, this sounds like a great book!
I’d like to win!
I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity.
I follow Mellisa’s blog and she is a blessing! I would love to have a copy of this book!!! Thanks for the opportunity!
Very timely read in society today.
We are huge Piper fans in our household. I am sure this book will not disappoint!
I would love this book. I have read some of Piper’s other books and enjoy his very Biblical perspective. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love to win a copy – John Piper is someone I would like to read more of. Thanks for the great giveaway! And the review was awesome, too. 🙂
Piper has a way of getting to the heart of a matter. I’d love a copy.
I’ve enjoyed John Piper’s sermons. Count me in.
I would really like to read that book. I’ve read another book about marriage, and the premise is along the same lines. It would be wonderful to add this one to my library.
Ooh! Pick me! I want to read it!
Sounds good…would like to try reading it.
this sounds like a great book!
This book sounds incredible! 🙂
This sounds like a great book and I would love to win a copy.
Wow. That is a different perspective on marriage from what the world teaches us. Sounds like a good book.
Oh, WOW!! This book is on my “wish list.” I would love to read it. Another great one I’m currently reading: When Sinners Say ‘I Do.’
After six years of marriage, I definitely am benefiting from re-visiting the biblical foundations of the God-ordained institution of marriage!
I’d like to read this for sure.
Count me in
looks like a great read!
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!
I love books about marriage and this sounds like a great one. Count me in!