The Spiritual Work of Marriage

Learn how to help couples to navigate and resolve the spiritual themes present in marriage Statistically speaking, about half of all first marriages fail. The Spiritual Work of Marriage comprehensively discusses an issue that is central to addressing committed relationships and intimacy—the difficult, and yet very common, spiritual work that exists within marriage. This insightful guide goes deeper into ways to improve marital intimacy by explaining its spiritual dimension and describing a variety of spiritual themes that every couple deals with and must resolve. The book contains practical case study material, questions for group discussion, and a series of spiritual and theological theories tied to powerful marital dynamics. Author Dr. David Olsen, certified pastoral counselor and certified marriage and family therapist, explains approaches that every counselor can use when attempting to help couples navigate and work through marital intimacy and spiritual issues. The Spiritual Work of Marriage boldly and sensitively examines the themes of acceptance, working through idolatry, the longing for redemption from old family issues, and the necessity of repentance. Topics discussed in The Spiritual Work of Marriage include:

marriage as spiritual crucible
acceptance as a key element in spirituality and recovery
idolatry as something that clocks acceptance
redemption from old wounds
repentance as a mental concept
the complexity of forgiveness in marriage
the possibility of salvation in marriage The Spiritual Work of Marriage is an essential resource for pastoral counselors, clergy, seminary professors teaching pastoral care, and marriage and family therapists interested in spirituality.

Introduction. The Longing to be Known. The Idolatry of Attempting to Change Your Partner. The Sins of the Fathers and the Longing for Redemption. Repentance and Relationships: You Really Do Have to Say “I’m Sorry”. Intimacy and Forgiveness. Salvation, Marriage, and Grace. References. Index.