The main reason for the delay in reading the book was my work load at the time it was on my shelf. With college classes and ministry piling up, I had to fight my way through it.Please keep that in mind when reading this review.
One of the norms of Mark Driscoll is his ability to pull absolutely no punches in his speaking, or in his writing. God has placed him in a church that has been placed in a position to reach a certain people in a certain context. Would I agree with all his theology? No. Would I agree with all his ministry philosophy? Certainly, no. Can I glean from his straight forward communication style? Yes. Can I appreciate the emotion and passion he displays for God and for what God can do through him and through a people? Absolutely.
IN typical Make Driscoll fashion, he and his wife have put together a passionate and very blunt book. They spend a chunk of the book giving personal testimony about the struggles, difficulties, discoveries, and growth in their lives as a committed married couple. The reality of couples bringing physical, emotional, and even sexual baggage into a relationship is a reality that needs to be discussed.
In this area, this book addresses something that is missing from almost every marriage book that I have been in contact with. In my opinion, there is a definite need to prepare couples for their marriage in terms of physical intimacy. Too many have been taught that, in the words of a Christian humor writer, 'doves would be singing on your honeymoon night if you save yourself for marriage.' And while that is a humorous statement for those of us raised in church culture, 'lifers' if you will, the expectations that we bring into our marriage affect our marriage.
Probably the only book that was out there that was designed to prepare the couple for marriage was 'Intended for Pleasure.' It was a good book, and worth going over again for married couples, but for those in premarital counseling, at least for me, it was almost too dangerous to look at until the week before the wedding.
In that realm, I believe we get into my thoughts on Driscoll's book. It is a good book, it deals with sexual issues that are starting to come up more and more in our increasingly sexual society. The questions that young couples and even older couples are asking today need to be addressed. They need wisdom and insight.
But the book does dive into some areas that might cause some very conservative minds to get a little color in their cheeks. So a warning must be given. You will be exposed to some areas you might not have even thought much about.
A problem that comes along with that is there might be exposure to something that has not crossed the readers mind. In light of that, I believe that this is a book for leaders/counselors within the church as they are preparing to counsel others.
To do a full fledged read-through/book study with a group at large would not be appropriate in my opinion. And it is obviously not for young people who are not married.
Overall, it is another good tool in the tool belt of on who is ministering to others. Even good to discuss with your mate.
This was a book provided to me for review by booksneeze.
Pastor Dave Burman.
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