The Mystery of Marriage 20th Anniversary Edition: Meditations on the Miracle

The author penned the draft of this book when he was 30 years old wrestling with the mystery of marriage. Decades later I read this book when I’m a newly-wed 30 year-old. I never felt so understood by someone I’ve never met before.

I have read or reviewed dozens of books on marriage. Some are good, some not so good, but none compare to The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason. If you are contemplating marriage, there is not better explanation of what it is. If you are married and have lost your way, this book is not just a road map but a landmark showing the way. But it's not a how to book. This is a meditation. It's almost poetry. 10 concepts which define the unique mystery of marriage are explored from the point of view of a passionate participant. There is scripture, but it's not a book of exposition. It's a book of exploration, and in Mason's own words, there is nothing so limitless to explore as a human being, execpt for two human beings joined together. I have purchased dozens of copies of this book since my then fiance and I read it together while we were engaged. 20 years later I have still not found a better encouragement to continue the exploration of the strange and marvelous celebration that is marriage. Whether you are unmarried or you've been married 50 years, you'll find profit in contemplating anew the Mystery of Marrige.

The book arrived quickly, is in great condition, and very pleased with the price!

As a thirty-something never-married single, I read The Mystery of Marriage to gleam whatever wisdom I could on an institution I one day hope to enjoy. If Timothy Keller's  The Meaning of Marriage  is a comprehensive treatise on the nuts and bolts of marriage, Mike Mason's The Mystery of Marriage is a love song. Ravi Zacharias explains that wisdom comes into our lives in three ways: theory, the existential, and the pragmatic. Argue from the first, illustrate from the second, and apply at the third, he says. Mason weaves a picture of marriage that speaks to our very heart and emotions - the second level.Curiously, I loved Keller's book but found myself impatiently looking ahead in Mason's to see how soon I would be done. My cursory analysis is that never having been truly "in love" myself, I understood Keller's philosophical arguments but couldn't fully identify with the emotion of Mason's prose. However, by the time I reached Mason's last few chapters I felt a growing connection and awe of the beauty with which marriage is praised. The overwhelming feeling by the end was that Mason is the person you want speaking at your wedding; he captures the essence and beauty of marriage, presenting it with an intensity commensurate with the rapture of seeing your bride walk down the aisle to be yours forever.

Along with some principles of marriage and what makes for passion and health, what Mason brings to the discussion is Paul's promise that God has now revealed a mystery, and that mystery is Christ in YOU (Col. 2).When you understand that you have died and Christ now lives in you (Gal. 2) and that in Christ your partner has died and now the life they live is Christ, you see that marriage is a picture of Christ living his life for you as you and for your partner and as your partner.You don't have to do anything, Christ lives through you and the mystery is him living through both people in a marriage (again, both people who have died) and then the husband and wife just rest in the effortless life that is allowing Christ to live his life through them. Stop trying and just be and you will find all of life far more fulfilling!

Very good book! We are covering for our bible study and for the most part has been great. The only downside for this book is the overly descriptive words he uses. It seems as if he took time to look for challenging words to describe every bit of details. I'd strongly recommend this book for anyone to enhance their marriage, understanding of what God truly desires for us and how we should live our lives.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It painted a very different, but yet real picture of the marital relationship and how it parallels our own personal relationship with Almight God. I wish more people had an understand of what it truly means to love someone. We would have a lower divorce rate.This book has challenged me in my own marriage. On a daily basis it causes me to reflect on whether or not I am loving my wonderful husband or if I am protecting myself and seeking my own desires.In a culture where we are taught to only think about our personal happiness, this book is a breath of fresh air. Every married couple or someone thinking about marriage should definatley read this book.

So far love this book

Reading this book is awesome. It does not feel like anything has been sugar-coated which is a welcomed breath of fresh air. I recommend this book for anyone looking the realities of true married life.

This is a beautiful book. Not one of those 'how to' books on marriage, with advice, but more of a 'wow what is this?' book, exploring what it rightly calls a mystery. Full of fresh insights on the amazing gift of God which is marriage, and what it says about us and God also. I have bought 6 copies of this recently, one for me and my husband (as an update of the old edition which I had already read) and 5 to give away to newly married couples I know. I won't go to a wedding again in the near future without giving this as part of my wedding present to the couple.

Great book - love the author's insights. Very original and inspiring.

The content is wonderful but I am not a fan of the writing style used.

Excellent.