DESCRIPTION

Neither a comprehensive marriage manual, nor a complete exploration of the theological significance of marriage, Friends and Lovers focuses on two key ingredients in a vital marriage: friendship and sexual intimacy. Drawing from the wisdom of the Bible, especially the Book of Proverbs, Joel Beeke shows you how to grow closer to your spouse both emotionally and physically.

About the Author

Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

EXCERPTS

http://www.scribd.com/doc/77192217/Sample-of-Friends-and-Lovers-Towards-Companionship-and-Intimacy-in-Marriage

Table of Contents

Part 1: Friends

Introduction
1. Remember: The Foundation of Friendship in Marriage
2. Nourish: The Cultivation of Friendship in Marriage
3. Resist: The Temptations of Friendship in Marriage

Avoiding Correction
Imbalance in Other Relationships
Personal Crises

Part 2: Lovers

Introduction
4. Cherish: Sex Is the Act of Cherishing Each Other as God’s Image-bearers
5. Multiply: Godly Lovers Delight in Multiplication
6. Obey: Sex in Marriage Is Obedience to God’s Commandments
7. Forgive: Sexual Freedom Comes through Forgiveness of Sins
8. Believe: Faith in Christ Empowers Sexual Love
9. Reject: Sex Is More Loving with Self-Denial
10. Appeal: Our Father in Heaven Can Heal Fear and Shame
11. Repent: Sexual Idolatry Requires Repentance
12. Appreciate: Gratitude and Contentment Sweeten Sex
Conclusion
Appendix: Questions to Ponder

ENDORSEMENTS

A book about love, marriage, and sex from Joel Beeke that is surprisingly candid yet without a trace of smuttiness. Putting Puritans in a new light perhaps, Beeke manages, at the same time, to be theologically thorough and pointedly practical. Fresh and refreshingly straightforward, this is the best book of its kind. – Derek W H Thomas, Minister of Preaching and Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia SC

Marriage is hard work. And wonderful. And sometimes, it’s both at the same time. Friends and Lovers is like a personal mentoring session on marriage with a man whose heart is devoted to seeing Christ honored in how we love each other as husbands and wives. It’s full of practical wisdom and grace. A delight. – Bob Lepine, Co-Host, FamilyLife Today

By laying the theological, emotional, social, and spiritual foundations of marriage before heading to the bedroom, Joel Beeke provides a healthy corrective to the excessive and obsessive sex-focus of our generation and even of some pastors. But, thankfully, he also goes on to provide wise, practical, down-to-earth direction for couples wanting to discover or recover physical intimacy that will both satisfy themselves and honor God. – Dr. David Murray, Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Central to the historical account of the creation of the human race is the marriage of Adam and Eve, their marriage being utterly vital to God’s purposes for humanity. The pure delight our ancient parents had in each other, touching every aspect of their lives together, was sadly lost at the fall. What this book powerfully shows through the teaching of the Scriptures, though, is that this delight is recoverable to a great degree in Christ. Christian marriages should know a depth of intimacy, in all the best senses of that word, which other marriages do not have. It is a matter of sadness that some do not. Here, the biblical wisdom about marriage in these pages can help enormously. A mini-addendum: I appreciated enormously the way in which the divine gift of human sexuality is handled, with biblical honesty but without any pandering to our culture’s prurient ways. – Michael A.G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Recently, a number of well known teachers have published books on marriage, some of which have caused quite a stir among Christians. Although these books offer some helpful insights, some are marred by an imbalance and even unbiblical teaching. Dr. Beeke’s book, Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage, introduces biblical sanity into the discussion. With characteristic piety, scriptural knowledge, and practical guidelines, Dr. Beeke sets before us these two essential ingredients (friendship and intimacy) for a durable and happy marriage. This book will strengthen the marriage of everyone who reads it. I know it has mine. – Joseph A. Pipa Jr., President, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

After years of marriage some of us still have to pray, “Father, forgive me for my sins against those who love me the most.” We never stop needing counsel to better nourish and cherish those who are flesh of our flesh, our co-inheritors of the grace of life. There is no better book than this to renew the affection of happy marriage. – Geoffrey Thomas, Pastor, Alfred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, Wales

To buy this book go to:

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Publisher’s Description:

With a “gutless orthodoxy,” Christians today quickly affirm biblical truth regarding evangelism and mission, but, author Jeremy Walker reminds us, “we cannot pretend that we know and believe the truth about men, souls, heaven, hell, and salvation unless it is making a difference in the way we think, feel, pray, speak, and act.” How do Christians develop this sense of urgency to see lost sinners saved? What motivates our evangelism? We must have the character of the brokenhearted evangelist, the David of Psalm 51, who recognizes the greatness of his own sin, looks to God for forgiveness, then recognizes his undeniable obligation to teach transgressors God’s ways. In an engaging style and with pastoral warmth,Walker urges Christians to exercise their obligation and privilege to teach transgressors God’s ways, providing both spiritual truth and practical guidance for carrying out this necessary gospel duty.

Sample Chapter:

Walker, Jeremy. The Brokenhearted Evangelist (sample b)

Rob’s blog Endorsement:

This book is a challenging call to our great responsibility and glorious privilege of personally sharing the gospel of Christ with others.  In this work, Pastor Jeremy Walker does a superb job of showing us from the life of David that mercies received from God are to be a key motivating factor for us telling others about Him.  Filled with much practical instruction and penetrating insight, The Brokenhearted Evangelist is very helpful in teaching us how to become wise in winning souls for Jesus.  Would we live up to such a high Biblical calling in our lives?  Would we do our Master’s bidding as He calls us to?  May the Lord be pleased to use this stirring work to these holy and blessed ends.

John MacArthur’s endorsement:

In recent years providence has brought a number of people into my life and ministry who are passionate about evangelism. Some of them are especially keen to win friends, fellow-workers, and family to Christ; others are engaged in various kinds of open-air evangelism, bringing the gospel to people they have never met before. I thank God for all of them and the passion that drives them. This excellent book by Jeremy Walker explains the biblical principles that underlie and provoke such passion, reminding us that time is short, the need is urgent, the laborers are few, and the fields are white unto harvest.

Conrad Mbewe’s endorsement:

Jeremy Walker’s book is in the tradition of the Puritan classic, Joseph Alleine’s Alarm to the Unconverted, but this is more Jeremy Walker’s Alarm to the Converted. It is a pleasant surprise, coming as it does from a part of our world where Christianity has largely entered a “garrison” (bunker) mode. The book, based on Psalm 51:13, is not meant simply to teach us about evangelism; it demands a verdict. He enlists the help of the great soul winners in history to reinforce his appeals. Even before I finished reading the book, I was already asking myself whether my heart was truly broken about the lost around me – and if it is, what am I doing about it?

Paul Washer’s endorsement:

The Brokenhearted Evangelist will refresh, strengthen, and equip the most timid saint for the work of soul winning. Jeremy Walker’s consideration of evangelism from the perspective of Psalm 51 is like fresh water drawn from a new well. He does not merely exhort us to greater faithfulness in evangelism and then leave us bewildered and guilty. Instead, he takes us to the very fountain from which all true motivation and strength for evangelism springs forth – the gospel and its glorious impact upon our own lives.

To order please go to:

http://www.heritagebooks.org/products/The-Brokenhearted-Evangelist.html

Publisher’s Description:

“You have likely read the parables of Christ before, perhaps many times. But have they read you?” With this thought-provoking question, author Gerald Bilkes introduces readers to the concept of interpreting the Scriptures experimentally as he takes a heart-searching look at Christ’s parables. In this spiritually rewarding Bible study, the author shows students of Scripture how to read the parables in a way that takes into account the truth that Scripture searches us as we subject ourselves to it. When we recognize this, we can expect Scripture to transform us. An ideal tool for personal or group Bible study, with questions following each lesson, Glory Veiled and Unveiled considers the contexts and main messages of twenty-five parables and puts our hearts under the “searchlight” of Scripture, guiding us into the knowledge of Christ, our gracious and glorious king.

Sample Chapter:

Bilkes, Gerald M. Glory Veiled and Unveiled (sample)

Rob’s blog Endorsement:

In this book, Dr. Bilkes masterfully expounds and applies some of our Lord’s most well loved parables.  In this volume, the author encourages the reader to approach the parables experimentally.  That is, he calls us to read them with the purpose of having their truths challenge and change us.  Written for both laypeople and pastors, this resource deserves wide circulation.  Among the several books that I have on the parables, this volume ranks among the finest!

Derek Thomas’s Endorsement:

We have come to expect good things from Dr. Bilkes, and in Glory Veiled and Unveiled we are not disappointed. He has given us a marvelous exposition of the parables, revealing astute awareness of the subtleties of the genre and a keen eye for their current application. With pointed questions, each chapter is designed for use in personal and corporate Bible study. Individuals and churches will profit enormously from this book.

Contents