Steve Bollman

A book of seven principles which tend to lead to robust marriages.

The author speaks highly of his in-laws, who in a figure are present throughout the "discussion" in the book; his father-in-law's advice for a good life and marriage, "sit in church with your family every Sunday and have dinner with your family every night," is the catalyst for the rest of the book. The book revolves around 7 principles for a "superabundant" marriage: honor the wedding vows both before and during the marriage (avoiding sexual immorality), maintain healthy financial principles (avoid debt, give to others), give God time (participate in religion, relationship with God), set one's mind on things above (study, prayer, and Scripture, although with an unhealthy dependence on secular science in the book), finding God in yourself (personal faith development, observance of moral code), finding God in others (developing relationships, treating others with dignity and respect), and extension of mercy to facilitate the good and not the bad.

The principles are sound (with the noted concern about science). The author gives one of the more creative attempts to reconcile the story of Genesis 1 with modern views regarding the age of the universe.

The author seems to be Roman Catholic and that influences much of what is seen in the book, including the desire to reconcile faith and science. His examples are often from Catholicism or Orthodoxy; he attempts to use the "Holy Family" as an example a bit too often, presumes them to be Christian as opposed to Jewish, and makes much of Paradise and the theology around it. Original sin and Catholic views of Mary are also introduced.

I personally found the imposed structure of the work in terms of a conversation going on with the in-laws (who passed some time back, as told at the end of the book) to be a bit grating, attempts to "prove" the benefits of which he speaks with scientific data a bit distracting, and in general something which would speak more to a Catholic audience than a more generic Christian one. Yet, in general, good reminders for how we are to conduct ourselves in marriage.

**--galley received as part of early review program… (altro)