Biblical Marriage
Two Sinners and a Gracious God
Foreword by Gavin Peacock
Imprint: Resource Publications
Throughout history, many marriages have been characterised by confusion, conflict, and pain. Today, the very institution of marriage is often reviled and rejected as irrelevant. It has even been redefined to accommodate changes in societal thinking and beliefs. This is why, for the professing Christian, the distinction of biblical marriage, as instituted and defined by the Most High God, is so utterly fundamental to understand. In this book, John-William Noble unpacks what it means for two sinful people to enter into a covenant relationship covering a number of contemporary issues and questions.
What should a couple realistically expect as they prepare for marriage? How important is communication in a marriage? In what ways can we and should we fight to preserve our marriage? This book is written to take the Christian to Scripture as the author gives examples and applications from his own marriage where two sinners have become one flesh built upon the restoration and foundation of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
John-William Noble is Pastor of Grace Baptist Church Aberdeen, which he planted in 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen and is the author of The Basics of Christianity (2016). John-William and his wife, Binglin, have two young children, Amos and Endian.
“In his book, Biblical Marriage, John-William Noble provides the church with a concise and accessible addition to Christian marriage literature. It is not only theologically robust, but it is pastoral and practically wise: even using examples from Pastor Noble’s own marriage to teach the reader. This is an excellent pew-level resource which should be widely read. Buy it!”
—Gavin Peacock, Associate Pastor, Calvary Grace Church, Calgary, Director of International Outreach for CBMW, author, former professional footballer and BBC Sport broadcaster
“Throughout the years, so many unhelpful books have been written on marriage that fail to demonstrate the beauty of a man and woman typifying Christ and his church. John-William Noble has served the church well by providing a work that does just that. The title, Biblical Marriage, properly defines this excellent work. Thoroughly biblical and theologically sound, Noble paints the portrait of a marriage, not as culture defines it, but as Scripture commands it.”
—Dustin Benge, Provost and Professor of Church History, Union School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales
“Marriage books that are God-centred, gospel-saturated, and biblically driven are rare in a market chock-full of tomes on relationships. John-William Noble’s new book, Biblical Marriage, is a breath of fresh air in a climate not always friendly to the idea of distinctly Christian marriage. Even though the definition of marriage seems to be ever-evolving in our culture, no such evolution exists in Scripture. Marriage is a holy union between a man and a woman for a lifetime. Marriage is a great drama that tells the deeper and more wonderful story of the love of Jesus for his church. John-William Noble serves the church well in Biblical Marriage, a book that will land you on the certain foundation of the Bible, provide for you a vision of a Christ-exalting marriage, and offer you practical counsel that you can put to work in your marriage. Get this book, read this book, practice this book.”
—Ray Rhodes Jr., author of Yours, Till Heaven: The Untold Love Story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon
“John-William’s book is a refreshing addition to Christian literature on marriage. Whilst many books have been written from the point of view of psychology, there are relatively few that build principles firmly on the solid rock of the Bible’s teachings. John-William does not shy away from countercultural views when they are based on Scripture, showing how the word of God can and should inform every aspect of a successful marriage.”
—Luke Jeffery, Director, Onwards and Upwards Publishers
“This book’s opening chapter lays a firm biblical foundation, and the final chapter pleads for a biblical culture in understanding marriage. In between, the author rigorously asserts biblical principle, defining marriage as a reflection of God’s covenant love in Christ. He faces the practicalities of married life with self-awareness and realism and offers wise counsel. His own experience of a cross-cultural marriage and the fact that he is a young man enhances the book’s value.”
—Jonathan Bayes, UK Director, Carey Outreach Ministries, and Pastor, Stanton Lees Chapel, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
“In this book Pastor Noble reveals an overriding concern that our marriages should glorify God, and he deals very honestly with the practical topics treated. He is very clear that even the best of marriages is a marriage between two sinners, and that biblical ideals cannot be implemented without both the grace of God and real effort on our part. This is a challenging and thought-provoking book.”
—Gilbert McAdam, Pastor, Harbour Mission Baptist Church, Wick, Scotland
“This book is worth reading as it helps to understand the biblical perspective of marriage. The time in which we are living we see the devil is distorting the truth of the Bible on marriage and its essence. Marriage was God’s idea between a man and woman. God blessed the marriage between one man and woman. I do pray that this book changes lives. The writer is a true man of God who has unpacked biblical truth about marriage.”
—Amir Shahbaz Bhatti, Pastor, Agape Church and Mission for Pakistan
“I highly recommend this book especially to single people who are planning to get married. This is not to say that married couples won’t benefit from it. The wisdom and clarity of thought are on full display as John-William Noble offers practical biblical help to understand what a biblical marriage should look like.”
—Sonny Simak, Pastor, Grace Church Southall, United Kingdom
“Biblical Marriage is a book that accomplishes much for its size. It not only outlines the biblical framework of what marriage is, but deals with a host of practical matters, including the topics of trust, sexual purity, and finances. John-William Noble has, therefore, written a tremendously helpful book. He does not stop at faithfully presenting the biblical teaching on marriage but goes on to faithfully apply it to everyday life. And yet none of this was a surprise to me. Biblical Marriage is simply consistent with what I know about its author: a sinner saved by grace, who seeks to love God and neighbour, and who seeks to be scriptural in all of life. I very gladly recommend this volume to all who are married, and to those who are pursuing marriage in the future.”
—Daniel Funke, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church Govan, Glasgow, Scotland
“Marriage is at the heart of God’s vision for family life, so where better to seek enlightenment on the topic than in God’s word? That’s exactly what John-William Noble does. From the theological foundations to day-to-day applications, we are presented with God’s relational wisdom, in this concise, straight-talking, and warm little book.”
—Richard Lucas, Leader of The Scottish Family Party, Glasgow, Scotland
Related Titles
