Journal: Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Volume: JBMW 21:2 (Fall 2016)
Article: A Review Of Rob Green. "Tying The Knot: A Premarital Guide To A Strong & Lasting Marriage." Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2016. 159 Pp. $17.99.
Author: David Young

JBMW 21:2 (Fall 2016) p. 72

A Review Of Rob Green. Tying The Knot: A Premarital Guide To A Strong & Lasting Marriage. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2016. 159 Pp. $17.99.

David Young

Student
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas, Texas

While there is no shortage of marital advice coming from bookstores, radio and television programs, blogs and pulpits, the overwhelming volume and variety of advice can leave engaged couples confused and concerned as they consider the road ahead. The Bible has much to say about marriage, yet a deep understanding of how it all works together eludes these couples who have never experienced a day of married life. What does it look like for a husband practically to love his wife as Christ loves the church? In a culture that celebrates the liberation of women from traditional marital roles, how should a fiancée think about what it really means to step into a submissive role with her future husband? For those who are looking to live in a Christ-centered marriage, Rob Green presents answers to these questions and many others facing those who are stepping into the new reality of married life.

Rob Green is the Pastor of Counseling and Seminary Ministries at Faith Church in Lafayette, Indiana. He writes not only as an ACBC certified counselor and a board member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition but also as a husband of 22 years to his wife Stephanie. Many of the stories and illustrations come directly from his own experiences working through the difficult challenges of marriage. He writes this book for couples who want Christ-centered premarital counseling and encourages them to work through the material with a pastor or with mentors. For these mentors, there is a special section at the end of the book that walks through each chapter of the book and gives advice for those who help a couple work through the material. While this book seeks to reach any couple, whether they are a young couple getting married for the first time or an older couple with previous marriages, not every scenario is covered, and Green encourages mentors to spend time on issues that may arise that are not discussed within the content of this resource.

The thrust of Tying the Knot is Christ-centered marriage. Green starts off by addressing that Christ

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must be the center of your life as an individual before you can have a Christ-centered marriage (chap 1). From there he goes on to cover what a marriage looks like when there is Christ-centered love (chap 2), Christ-centered problem solving (chap 3), Christ-centered roles and expectations (chap 4), Christ-centered communication (chap 5), Christ-centered finances (chap 6), Christ-centered community (chap 7), and Christ c...