Christian Marriage : A Comprehensive Introduction

Why should we care about marriage?

There is a lot of confusion about the purpose of marriage today: outside the church as well as within it. Written by a distinguished Christian sociologist, Christian Marriage is a theologically rich, biblically robust, and sociologically informed treatise on the nature and value of marriage. Drawing on recent social science research, empirical data, and social history, Ayers paints a picture of marriage as an institution meant for human flourishing.

Along the way, Ayers addresses such topics as:

· Dating and selection of a spouse
· The importance of premarital counseling
· Sex and procreation
· Mentoring and supporting unmarried believers
· Divorce and remarriage
· Current controversies surrounding premarital sex and same-sex marriage

Though the book is academically and theologically informed, it is written with a pastoral heart. It seeks to provide a rich resource for pastors and counselors on a topic of supreme importance to a vibrant church and society.

David J. Ayers is professor of sociology in the Alva J. Calderwood School of Arts and Letters at Grove City College, Pennsylvania. Until recently he also served as dean and is currently interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. He holds his Ph.D. in Sociology from New York University and has written two books, Experiencing Social Research (2001) and Investigating Social Problems (2004), as well as numerous articles and book chapters. He has taught courses on marriage and family for about 30 years.