There are three things I really appreciate about the Beekes’ How to Build a Godly Marriage: 12 Principles for Flourishing and Lasting.  

As a biblical counselor, I see it as essential to lead off by dedicating the first of two sections to show how marriage building must begin with loving God.  (It is refreshing to note, however, that this by no means indicates that the second section is devoid of Scriptural truth or godly exhortation.  Balancing this mix is just one aspect of the subtle beauty of the Beekes’ collaboration.)   

As a Christian psychologist, I have ample practice-based evidence that the latter concepts of “Foster Close Friendship” and “Parent as a Team” are anything but miscellaneous, and the Beekes are diligent to maintain their momentum so that these critical aspects of marriage do not appear as afterthoughts.   

As a husband, I was intrigued by intentional word choices in the descriptive chapter names (viz., “Practice the Art of …,” “Embrace the Duties of…”).  Those who are familiar with biblical wisdom will be pleasantly surprised with content that is sound, as well as useful and encouraging. 

In fact, I found myself noting so many of the specific examples of godly, prosocial habits, that I will be recommending this book as required reading for our class on holy matrimony at the Institute of Christ-Conforming Conjoint Education, Discipleship, and Therapy (ICCCED-T). 

Review By: Dr. Ronnie Eng, author of Faith Working Through Love: Biblically-Grounded, Trauma-Focused, Evidenced-Based Practices for Holy Matrimony

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.