Books for Christian Couples?

[RedHawkCircles]

Hey guys,

My boyfriend and I are about to celebrate our one year anniversary. We’re 20 years old. I’m a practicing Catholic and he is a protestant leaning about the true faith. (I don’t like to call him protestant… he knows sola scriptura/sola fide is bull but he still has a lot to learn.)

Aaaannnyway, a few days ago he brought up the idea that we should buy some kind of Christian couples book to help our communication regarding Him. Something that we can read and learn from together.

Does anyone have any suggestions? We’re not really looking for a couples’ bible. We don’t need any help with abstinence either. In fact I’m not sure what we’re looking for. Definitally not anything evangelical. Any help would be great!

God bless,
Cat

 

[puzzleannie]

Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West, must read for anyone in the time of life for discerning dating, relationships, marriage and family vocation.

 

[1ke]

Are you looking for marriage discernment type books? I can recommend a few:

Catholic:
Three To Get Married by Archbishop Fulton Sheen
For Better… Forever by Greg Popcak

Generic Christian:
Date or Soul Mate by Neil Clark Warren

 

[RedHawkCircles]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the reconmendations. I’ve taking classes on the Theology of the Body and will keep Christopher’s book in mind.

We’re not really looking on marriage prep books. We’ve only been together a year. Moreso looking for books about growing closer to your partner in Christ and through Christ.

 

[TallyCatholic]

Pope John Paul II Love and Responsibility

Anything by Christopher West.

I know you said you don’t want any marriage prep, but you also say you don’t need any help with abstinence. So if you two agree on those issues, you can really understand the Church’s teaching while it pertains to those issues and if you can find common ground on issues that you have an intial understanding of, then you are on the right track.

Christopher Wests’ stuff isn’t all marriage prep. Its more what does it mean to be chaste, to be pure, to be a loving person. What does it mean to be a man? To be a women? And how is Christ the example for that. So its still a great book for anyone to read.

Hope that helps.

 

[bluerose]

Try this: “Mother Angelica’s Answers, Not Promises”

What’s it about? Everything! “What does God want with me?” “Why do we suffer?” “Why won’t God answer my prayers?” “How can I free myself from guilt?” “How can I forgive someone who hurt me so much?” “Why am I afraid to die?” “What will Heaven be like?”

I bugged my husband for months to read this book and it opened up a dozen lines of communication. Things we never really thought about sharing with each other have come out in the open and I feel we know each other better now (we’ve been married 18 years, so this ain’t just for newlyweds!)

It’s easy to read, entertaining and has a lot of food for thought. Hope you like it!

 

[leonie]

How about Rome Sweet Home–though may be too much about conversion.

How about doing a Bible study together?

Or, my favorite Bible study: *The Great Adventure *by Jeff Cavins. It’s an audio set. My friend is doing a study with Catholic and Protestant friends. They all love it! There is a four tape set and a 24 set. The longer one is pricey, but worth it. You can split the cost! But, make him sign a paper that if you break up, he gets the promise ring and you get the tape set.

Or, *You Can Understand the Bible *by Peter Kreeft. It’s fascinating and really readable.

Those aren’t really couples books are they?

How about the Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman. Kimberly Hahn recommends it.