Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.
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Test The Strength of Your Marriage
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Put your dog and your wife in the trunk of the car for an hour.
When you open the trunk, which one is happiest to see you?
Sex Books
The following books are recommended in the book Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor:
Sexual Sin: Combating the Drifting and Cheating, by Jeffrey S. Black
Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship, by Joshua Harris
Not Even A Hint: Guarding Your Heart Against Lust, by Joshua Harris
True Sexual Morality: Recovering Biblical Standards for a Culture in Crisis, by Daniel R. Heimbach
God, Marriage, And Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation, by Andreas J. Kostenberger and David W. Jones
Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God: What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know, by C. J. Mahaney
Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother, by Carolyn Mahaney
Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye? Trusting God With a Hope Deferred, by Carolyn McCulley
Whoredom: God’s Unfaithful Wife in Biblical Theology, by Raymond C. Ortlund
Pornography: Slaying the Dragon, by David Powlison
Pre-Engagement: Five Questions to Ask Yourself, by David Powlinson and John Yenchko
Teens and Sex: What Shoud We Teach Them?, by Paul David Tripp
Addictions, A Banquet int eh Grave: Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel, by Edward T. Welch
Homosexuality: Speaking the Truth in Love, by Edward T. Welch
Marriage Studies
The following books are required reading in the course “Marriage Studies” taught by Roc Bottomly at Focus on the Family Institute.
Anderson, N. T. (2000). The bondage breaker. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.
Anderson, N. (1996). The steps to freedom in Christ. Ventura, CA: Gospel Light.
Burkett, L. (1989). The complete financial guide for young couples. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor.
Chapman, G. (1992). The five love languages. Chicago, IL: Northfield.
Dayton, H. (1996). Your money counts. Gainesville, GA: Crown Financial Ministries.
Dillow, L. & Pintus, L. (2002). Gift-wrapped by God. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook.
Eggerichs, E. (2004). Love and respect. Nashville, TN: Integrity.
Elliot, E. (1984). Passion and purity. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell.
Hunt, M. (1996). The financially confident woman. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman.
Nelson, T. (1998). The book of romance. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Parrott, L., & Parrott, L. (1998). Getting ready for the wedding. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Parrott, L., & Parrott, L. (1995). Saving your marriage before it starts. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Penner, C., & Penner, J. (1994). Getting your sex life off to a great start. Dallas, TX: Word.
Piper, J. (1990). What’s the difference? Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
Seamands, D. A. (1981). Healing for damaged emotions. Wheaton, IL: Victor.
Smalley, G. & Trent, J. (1990). The two sides of love. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
Stanley, S., Trathum, D., McCain, S., & Bryan, M. (1998). A lasting promise. San Francisco: Josey-Bass.
Swenson, R. (1992). Margin. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
Thomas, G. (2000). Sacred marriage. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Thomas, G. (2004). Sacred parenting. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Waite, L.J. and Gallagher, M. (2000). The case for marriage. New York, NY: Doubleday.
Winner, L.F. (2005). Real sex: The naked truth about chastity. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazo Press.
Wolgemuth, R. and B. & Devries, M. and S. (2003). The most important year in a woman’s/man’s life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The syllabus describes the course as follows – – –
DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to provide academic instruction on Focus on the Family’s “pillar principle” of the Permanence of Marriage. Many are asking, “How do I build a lasting marriage?” This course provides the basic steps toward a practical, biblical answer. The course is specifically designed to train students in the concepts, attitudes, and skills necessary to build a lasting marriage. Our goal is that each student will recognize the enormous value of a godly marriage, will be able to begin wisely, will have the determination to stay married, and will enjoy the rich rewards of finishing well.
The students study the biblical principles, read current authors, work practical exercises, and write a personal philosophy/preparation plan. The course explores four essentials for building a lasting marriage: understanding God’s design, recognizing the difficulties, building connection, and preparing responsibly.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand God’s design for marriage.
2. Recognize the difficulties all couples must overcome to build a lasting marriage.
3. Develop the life skills vital to building strong connection in marriage.
4. Prepare responsibly for marriage.
TOPICS:
Marriage Purposes
Marriage Responsibilities
Gender Differences
Personality Differences
Effects of Supernatural Evil
Effects of Past Damage
Time Margin
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Money Management
Sexual Intimacy
Having Children
Birth Control
Mate Selection
Courtship
Engagement-Wedding-Honeymoon-First Year
Family Life Studies
The following books are required reading in the course Family Life Studies taught by Sheryl DeWitt, at Focus on the Family Institute.
Arterburn, S. (2000). Every man’s battle. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook Press.
Arterburn, S. (1998). How will I tell my mother? Nashville, TN: Nelson.
Carroll, Bruce. (1999), Sometimes miracles hide. Howard Publishing.
Clark, Jeramy. (2000), I gave dating a chance. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook Press.
Cloud H. (1995). The mom factor. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Dallas, J. (1991). Desires in conflict. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.
Dobson, J. (2001). Bringing up boys. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
Dobson, J. (1983). Love must be tough. Dallas, TX: Word.
Dobson, J. (1984). The strong willed child. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale
Dobson, J. (1989). Preparing for adolescence. Regal Books.
Dobson, J. (1992). The new dare to discipline. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale,
Dobson, J. (1995). Life on the edge. Dallas, TX: Word.
Dobson, J. The new hide and seek. Fleming Revell Company.
Focus on the Family, (1997). Beyond Appearances. Colorado Springs, CO.
Harris, J. (1997). I kissed dating goodbye. Oregon: Multnomah Books.
Haley, M. (2003). 101 Questions about homosexuality,
Hunter, Lynda (1997). Parenting on your own. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Jantz, G. (1995). Hope, help and healing for eating disorders. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers.
Lucado, Max. (1997) You are special. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
McDowell, J. and Hostetler, Bob. (1998) The new tolerance. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
McGee, R. (1993). Father hunger. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant.
McGee, R. (2005). Search for significance. Houston, TX: Rapha
Nelson, T, (1998). The book of romance. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Reisser, P. (1997). Complete baby and childcare. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
The syllabus describes the course as follows – – –
DESCRIPTION:
It has been said that a culture’s health can be measured by the ways in which it treats its children. The purpose of this course, therefore, is to enhance students’ appreciation of the value of children, and the sanctity of human life. Students will be exposed to typical problematic issues that most parents are forced to confront as they attempt to raise healthy children. Additionally, students will be exposed to the principles that life is sacred, unique, broken, beautiful, and deserving of love and truth. Biblical teachings, existing research, and current popular techniques will be reviewed, with the goal of aiding each student in their development of a personal strategy for dealing with problematic parenting areas.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1. To further enhance students’ understanding of the value of children.
2. To help students reflect upon the role that their parents had in shaping their
current understanding of truth and love.
3. To help students develop a personalized strategy for conveying truth and love
as a parent.
4. To help students develop a strategy for dealing with potential parenting
problems.
TOPICS:
• Family of origin
• Parenting and child discipline
• Family planning
• Children and self-esteem
• Children and education
• Parenting teens
• Teen issues
• Teen addictions
• Singleness
• Dating
• Divorce and single parenting
• Disabilities
• Homosexuality
Family Issues In Christian Perspective
The following books are required reading in the course “Family Issues In Christian Perspective” taught by Roc Bottomly, at Focus on the Family Institute.
Anderson, N. T. (2000). The bondage breaker. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.
Anderson, N. T. (1996). The steps to freedom in Christ. Ventura, CA: Gospel Light.
Arterburn. S. (1998). How will I tell my mother? Nashville: Nelson.
Burkett, L. (1989). The complete financial guide for young couples. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor.
Carroll, Bruce. (1999) Sometimes miracles hide. Howard Publishing.
Chapman, G. (1992). The five love languages. Chicago, IL: Northfield.
Cloud, Henry. (1995). The mom factor. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Dallas, J. (1991). Desires in conflict. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.
Dayton, H. (1996). Your money counts. Gainesville, GA: Crown Financial Ministries.
Dillow, L. & Pintus, L. (2002). Gift-wrapped by God. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook.
Dobson, J. (2001). Bringing up boys. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale
Dobson, J. (1983). Love must be tough. Dallas: Word.
Dobson, J. (1989) Preparing for adolescence. Regal Books.
Dobson, J. (1992). The new dare to discipline. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
Dobson, J. (1995). The new hide and seek. Fleming Revell Company.
Eggerichs, E. (2004). Love and respect. Nashville, TN: Integrity
Elliot, E. (1984). Passion and purity. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell.
Haley, M. (2004). 101 Frequently asked questions about homosexuality. Eugene, OR:
Harvest House.
Hunt, M. (1996). The financially confident woman. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman.
Lucado, Max. (1997). You are special. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
McGee, R. (1993). Father hunger. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant.
Parrott, L., & Parrott, L. (1995). Saving your marriage before it starts. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Parrott, L., & Parrott, L. (1998). Getting ready for the wedding. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Penner, C., & Penner, J. (1994). Getting your sex life off to a great start. Dallas: Word.
Reisser, P. (1997) Complete baby and childcare. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
Seamands, D. A. (1981). Healing for damaged emotions. Wheaton, IL: Victor.
Stanley, S., Trathum, D., McCain, S., & Bryan, M. (1998). A lasting promise. San Francisco: Josey-Bass.
Thomas, G. (2000). Sacred marriage. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Winner, L.F. (2005). Real sex: the naked truth about chastity. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazo Press.
Wolgemuth, R. and B. & Devries, M. and S. (2003). The most important year in a
woman’s/man’s life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The syllabus describes the course as follows – – –
DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to equip students with personal strategies for promoting healthy families, by specifically focusing on marriage, parenting, and the sanctity of all human life. Students will be exposed to typical issues that most spouses and parents are forced to confront as they attempt to establish healthy marriages and families. Biblical teachings, existing research, and current popular techniques will be reviewed, with the goal of aiding each student in their development of a personal strategy for dealing with these areas whenever confronted by them.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1. To further enhance students’ understanding of the value of children.
2. To help students reflect upon the role that their parents had in shaping their current understanding of truth and love.
3. To help students develop a personalized strategy for conveying truth and love as a parent.
4. To further enhance students’ respect for the sanctity of all human life.
5. To equip students to build a lasting marriage by helping them to…
• Understand God’s design for marriage.
• Recognize the difficulties all couples must overcome to build a lasting marriage.
• Build strong connection in marriage.
• Prepare responsibly for marriage.
TOPICS:
• Family of origin
• Family influences and homosexuality
• Parenting and child discipline
• Parenting and self-esteem
• Parenting teens
• Spiritual training of children
• Divorce’s impact on children
• Parenting disabled children
• Marriage purposes
• Marriages responsibilities
• Gender differences
• Personality differences
• Effects of Supernatural evil
• Effects of Past damage
• Communication
• Conflict resolution
• Money management
• Sexual intimacy
• Mate selection
• Courtship and engagement
• Wedding, honeymoon and first year world
Family, Church, and Society Studies
The following books are required reading in the course “Family, Church, & Society Studies” taught by Del Tackett, at Focus on the Family Institute.
Agee, M. C., et al. (1996). The America we seek. National Review. March 25.
Beckwith, F.. J. (1990-1991). Answering arguments for abortion rights. Christian Research Journal.
Bonhoffer, D. (1954). Life together. San Francisco, CA: Harper Collins.
Briner, B. (1993). Roaring lambs: A gentle plan to radically change your world. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Burtoft, L. (ed.) (2003). Student reflections on the UNC Justice For All outreach.
Colson, C. (2003). Being the body. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group.
de Tocqueville, Alexis. (1835). Democracy in America, (Vol 1). (Reprinted by Vintage Books, New York, 1990).
Dobson, J. (2004). Marriage under fire. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Ellis, E. S. (1884). Not yours to give. Philadelphia: Porter & Coates (Reprinted by Conservative Printing, 2003).
George, R. P. and Ponnuru, R. (1996). The new abortion debate. First Things 62.
Grudem, W. (2003). Business for the glory of God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Kavanaugh, P. 1996. Spiritual lives of the great composers. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Klusendorf, S. (2002). Pro-life 101: Making your case. Signal Hill, CA: Stand to Reason.
Lee, D. (ND). Frequently asked questions. Wichita, KS: Justice For All.
Lee, D. (2002). The use of graphic visuals in pro-life work. Wichita, KS: Justice For All.
Leman, K. and Pentak, W. (2004). The way of the shepherd: 7 ancient secrets to managing productive people. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Minnery, T. (2001). Why you can’t stay silent: A biblical mandate to shape our culture. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Olasky, M. (1998). The American leadership tradition: The inevitable impact of a leader’s faith on a nation’s destiny. Wheaton, IL: Crossways Books.
Parker, K. (2001). Time to say we’re sorry. Chicago Tribune. June 20.
Pollock, J. (1996). William Wilberforce: A man who changed his times. McLean, VA: Trinity Forum.
Schlossberg, H. (1990). Idols for destruction. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Schmidt, A. J. (2001). Under the influence: How Christianity transformed civilization. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Sowell, T. (1995). The vision of the anointed. New York, NY: Basic Books.
St. Benedict Center. (ND). The fathers speak – for life!
Sullivan, Andrew. (2001). Only human. The New Republic Online.
http://www.tnr.com/073001/trb073001.html
Wolf, N. (1995), Our bodies, our souls. The New Republic. October 16. [R]
The syllabus describes the course as follows – – –
DESCRIPTION:
This is a course in Christian sociological and political thought and leadership action. Students will be challenged to think carefully and deeply concerning their personal leadership role in effecting transformation in every social sphere of life.
The course consists of two concentrations. The first will focus on understanding God’s design for social order and the relationships between the social spheres. This includes the roles, responsibilities, purposes and boundaries of each sphere as God created them. The second will deal with application of this understanding. This includes examination of the pathologies associated with each sphere and the burning issues those pathologies bring to our culture. Students will be challenged with issues ranging from homosexuality to abortion to taxation. This challenge will occur in the classroom and in the field, where they will receive intensive training in “pro-life apologetics”, followed by a two-day outreach on the campus of University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado.
The final application will include a historical study of the key aspects of the founding of the United States of America, with special attention given to the founders’ social vision and their understanding of the relationship between religion, morality and the state. Additionally, this section will help the student defend the existence of objective moral principles against postmodern ethical relativism.
Students will be challenged throughout this course to examine their personal and unique call to leadership roles and responsibilities. The pursuit of that call and its personal application will be considered a critical aspect of the desired outcomes of this area of study.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
• Understand God’s design for social order and the relationships between the social institutions
• Develop a deep sense of compassion for those trapped in the turmoil and destruction of social pathology and a consequential hunger and commitment to become a world changer for Christ.
• Explain the authority structure, roles, responsibilities, purposes and boundaries of each social institution
• Describe current issues and pathologies that are manifested within each social institution
• Articulate the Christian’s personal role in effecting transformation in every social sphere of life
• Explain the historical foundations of the American State
• To equip the students to engage various contemporary social issues with Christ-like compassion and insight, with particular emphasis upon the defense of the existence of objective moral values
• Understand key elements of shepherd leadership
• Give thoughtful consideration to one’s unique leadership role as an agent of change in culture
TOPICS & ACTIVITIES:
• Understanding God’s general design for social order
• Contemplating the triune nature of God in social design
• Intimacy and the divine mark within the family
• Shepherd leadership and God’s delegating call to rule
• Unio Mystica: The awesome reality of being a child of God
• The mystery: Christ and the church
• Understanding the Divine delegation of authority and the design of the state
• Law, politics and the foundations of the American state
• Contemplating Divine creativity and God’s design for labor and the marketplace
• Examining the lost art of community and God’s design to love your neighbor
• Evaluating the burning issues within our culture
• Pro-Life Apologetics
• Pro-Life Outreach at University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
• Risk-takers and world-changers; being “light” and “salt” in a needy world
Passionate Housewives Desperate For God
First Lady Of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Recommends Controversial New Book On Homemaking,Titled “Passionate Housewives Desperate For God”
Mrs. Paige Patterson Said: “Give Us Passionate Women Who Are Desperate for God and We Will Change the World!”
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) December 18, 2007 — An article in Family Circle magazine recently extolled the virtues of having a parent stay home. Benefits the article cited include a smoothly run household, home-cooked meals, washed and folded laundry, and children who are educated, read to and prepared for life. The article’s punch line revealed a sign of the times or what some consider the new normal–the stay-at-home dad.
Author Jennie Chancey of Birmingham, AL shared the story during a national radio interview (Listen Here,http://www.visionforum.com/Press/PHW/) promoting her new book Passionate Housewives Desperate for God (Vision Forum, Oct. 30, 2007), which she co-authored with Stacy McDonald of Peoria, IL. “It s ironic today that our culture can praise a homemaker to the heavens as long as it’s a dad,” Chancey observed.
Today, couples with the wife bringing home most or all of the bacon have become increasingly more common, especially among the nation’s twenty- and thirty-somethings. Among college-educated women with infant children in the U.S., 63 percent worked in the labor force in 2002 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). Three out of four households today have two working parents and most working adults find it challenging to take care of both their family and work obligations. Some 70 percent of married mothers work outside the home and are challenged to balance work and family early on in the parenting journey (Families and Work Institute). There were 5.3 million stay-at-home moms in 2003, while 39 percent of these mothers were under age 35 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005).
Passionate Housewives Desperate for God was not written to condemn working women, Chancey and McDonald state. However, the book was written to dispel harmful myths about modern housewives. “They picture this new, awful stereotype that is being pushed in modern television programming. Women who are at home fulltime are secretly bored, angry and frustrated, and they take it out on their children in private, and they take it out on their husbands by being adulteresses. And, this is really supposed to be the secret life of the American housewife,” Chancey continued.
The book advances the biblical model for womanhood as outlined in such passages as Titus 2 and Proverbs 31. The Proverbs 31 woman–one of the clearest descriptions of God’s design for woman–is not a mindless drone, but an industrious steward who looks well to the ways of her family and helps her husband manage a thriving household economy.
McDonald spoke to the heart of the two-year collaboration which she and Chancey wrote from their homes while raising 18 children between them. “We wanted women to see that it’s not some kind of female purgatory but a blessing to bring up our children. We are bringing up the next generation for the glory of God.”
Most recently, Passionate Housewives has found an ally in Mrs. Paige Patterson, whose husband is well-known in Southern Baptist circles having twice served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Patterson is currently serving as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This fall, Dr. and Mrs. Patterson launched a new academic program at Southwestern to reinforce biblical gender roles, including a controversial course on homemaking available only to women.
Mrs. Patterson wrote in her endorsement: “The biblical paradigm for womanhood is marked by clear, though often hidden, distinctives. Especially are these noted in the Proverbs 31 description of the ‘woman of strength.’ PASSIONATE HOUSEWIVES DESPERATE FOR GOD provides the bookends for the life of this remarkable woman–on the one hand, she is passionate, enthusiastic about everything to which she puts her hand, even the most mundane tasks in her home; on the other hand, she is totally committed to what God wants her to be and to do without being swayed by culture or peers. She makes no apology about devoting her foremost energies and greatest creativity to her own family and household, and in so doing she is confident of offering her best and most precious gift to the Lord! Give us passionate women who are desperate for God, and we will change the world!”
In looking to the future, the Passionate Housewives authors also send a strong message to the next generation. “We really need to encourage young women. The ages 12 and 13 are a big time in a young girls life. This is a time like no other in your life. Look to godly women in your church, your mom and your grandmother, and ask questions. You need to cultivate those relationships because they are priceless. You can’t function in the next phase of your life if you haven’t trained properly and built the foundation right now.”
McDonald is the author of Raising Maidens of Virtue: A Study of Feminine Loveliness for Mothers and Daughters. She and her husband, Pastor James McDonald operate Family Reformation Ministries (www.familyreformation.org).
Chancey is founder of Ladies Against Feminism (www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com). She and her husband Matthew parent and homeschool their brood of eight children.
For information about Passionate Housewives Desperate for God and its authors, visit www.passionatehousewives.blogspot and www.visionforum.com. Passionate Housewives Desperate for God is available for purchase in bookstores and online.
Marriage and Family books by Gary Chapman
The November/December 2007 edition of Facts & Trends recommends the following books by Gary Chapman on Marriage and Family.
Now You’re Speaking My Language
