Sex, Romance and the Glory of God by C.J. Mahaney
This is a subject that remains taboo in many Christian circles within Northern Ireland…‘you can’t talk about that’…‘that’s dirty’…‘that’s not in the Bible’ – comments we may hear people mention under their breath on a subject that God devoted not just a passage to, not just a chapter to but a whole book of the Bible to – the Song of Solomon. This book is dealt with in the above-mentioned title along with many pieces of practical advice from a godly man married 31 years.
The best way to give an overview of this book is, I believe, to share the chapter titles, namely –
Ch. 1 - Great sex to the glory of God
Deeply satisfying intimacy is the inheritance of every Christian couple.
Ch. 2 – The divine purpose for your marriage
A profound mystery, revealed for all to see.
Ch. 3 – Learning, leading and loving
Before you touch her body, touch her heart and mind
Ch. 4 – How to make it all happen
Seven surefire ways to kindle romance.
Ch. 5 – The language of romance
Winning your wife with carefully composed words.
Ch. 6 – The gift of marital intimacy
A holy immersion in erotic joy.
Ch. 7 – Strong as death
The enduring power of covenant love.
Personally, I think this book does not go far enough in its exposition of Scripture from Song of Solomon and various other relevant passages. It also makes a number of statements that I would disagree with, such as “Is there a case to be made from Scripture that lovemaking is in any way less important to a marriage than praying together, studying the Bible together, or even attending church together? I don’t think so.” I don’t mean to sound prude, old fashioned or critical in this paragraph but I believe in Isaiah 26:8 and that through the Word God might sanctify us…however, I also believe sex is a God-given pleasure that may be experienced to its fullest in marriage for His glory and reflecting His union with His Church.
The book is extremely practical for husbands (of course wives are fully entitled to read this book), however I would recommend they just read the last chapter by C.J. Mahaney’s wife Carolyn, which (perhaps I am now being hypocritical) I read and thoroughly enjoyed – Carolyn exposits much more from the Bible in her short chapter and would be extremely useful to wives and wives to be who earnestly pursue holiness by the blood of your Bride Groom and the Holy Spirit.
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4 comments:
Bro, i'd tend to agree with the comment you quoted from C.J.
“Is there a case to be made from Scripture that lovemaking is in any way less important to a marriage than praying together, studying the Bible together, or even attending church together? I don’t think so.”
And I think Scripture agree's totally, Paul talked of it as being a protective activity against temptation from the evil one!
I can see entirely where you are coming from, sex is not eternal and when we are in heaven sex will not be an issue.
But here on earth, Sex is indeed a huge deal in protection! i'll write more later.. have to go at moment.
Sex between a husband and wife is an important ministry between them for uniting them and protecting thier marriage.
So praying together, reading together and making love together are vital to a Christ centred marriage. Infact it is a creation ordinance; before the fall God gave two commands, and if I may simplify them they were Don't sin (eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil) and make love (Be fruitful and multiply).
In this life there are many nessessary ministries like preaching, teaching, evangelism etc that will fade away when our King returns. Marital intimacy is the same, though one day it will be no more, and certianly our lives should not revolve around it nor worship sex itself, the same as any ministry ought not be given the central place that belongs solely to Christ, it is needed in marriage.
Good words.
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