The Vandixhoorns’ book on marriage stands out for a few reasons: one is its length (only 160 pages). Another is the stark way that they assume our own sinfulness, but also set before us the great mercy of God toward us and the ability we now have in Christ to please God and live for our spouse. Borrowing from William Gouge’s own book on marriage, they draw upon this old book on marriage to show couples today how they can grow in the grace of Christ and love for one another.

Every time I perform a marriage, I require premarital counseling. This book is required reading, and I can say that 100% of the time, couples always thank me for requiring this wonderful book, which forces its readers to confront the limitations of this person that they are marrying. Harvey reminds us that in Christian marriage, we are marrying a sinner, and because of this the Gospel cannot help but be the unifying factor in any marriage.

Twice as long as the Vandixhoorn book listed above, it is hard not to appreciate the depths of marriage that Keller unearths and sets before us in this book. Taking on such myths as the “soul mate” myth, and the myth that singleness is somehow a “lesser” state for a Christian to be in, I think this is a wonderful book for a couple to read together.