A history of marriage

I have just returned from holiday during which I read “Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage”, by Stephanie Coontz.  It was a good read.  It stimulated my thinking and gave me much to think about.  In it she describes how the meaning and solidity of marriage has changed over time in line with the changes to the things we value most in our relationships.  In earlier days it we valued security, position, family, duty, and covenant more than we did love, intimacy, passion, romance.  Today these things have been reversed.  This raises all kinds of questions for me, especially as I try to minister truth and love in this radically new context.

I’m looking forward to posting a few comments up to help me work some things through.