Description
Product Description
This book tells how one couple's lives and love story became swept up into an ancient, beautiful story much larger than themselves. The world of romantic love and sexual ethics looks different when seen through the lens of this narrative. In Love describes their attempt to live out this ancient story's wisdom in modern times.
Review
"There is so much more to marriage than meets the eye; our relationships on earth have the potential to help us understand a much larger reality. Ryan Messmore points to this bigger story, and in so doing, he helps us develop a deeper understanding of the gifts of sex and marriage. For college students wrestling with questions about human sexuality and relationships, for couples preparing for marriage, or for any of us wanting to see how our real-life relationships can point to a much deeper spiritual reality, this book is a treasure trove of insight and inspiration." - D. Michael Lindsay, President, Gordon College, United States
"Every love story is really an epic waiting to be told. Ryan Messmore shows us how he discovered that epic dimension in the divine. He discovered God's action in the small details of his relationship with his wife Karin, and their love began to flourish in unexpected ways. This is more than another intellectual conversion story. It's a romance. It's theology. It's the kind of story that changes all kinds of lives for the better." - Scott Hahn, professor of theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, United States
"If love is not forever, what's forever for? Ryan and Karin's story shows how our deepest human longing can be made beautiful, fresh, compelling and highly realistic-even in the age of the hook-up culture. In Love is a love story that opens up a brighter prospect for our generation." - Os Guinness, author of The Call, United States
"Every so often a book comes along that jolts us, commanding attention and inspiring the embrace of goodness, truth and beauty. Ryan Messmore has gifted us with such a book. The story of Ryan and Karin's love and marriage, told against the backdrops of Jewish betrothal practices and the Bible's account of God's covenant love for creation, is delightful and challenging. What kind of people will our sexual practices shape us to become? Ryan Messmore explores the question in this intimate and profound book. Read it!" - Rod Thompson, Former National Principal, Laidlaw College, Auckland, New Zealand and Minister, Springwood Presbyterian Churches, NSW, Australia
"Our culture has become increasingly confused about marriage and its meaning, but Ryan Messmore has helped clarify the importance of this vital institution. By recounting his own courtship and engagement and illuminating the full, rich picture of marriage throughout the Old and New Testaments, we begin to gain a glimpse of marriage as God intended it. What's more, Ryan has given us greater insight into Christ's passionate pursuit of His bride." - Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family, United States
"Ryan Messmore has a gift for sharing wisdom in a winsome and accessible way. This book is profound, well written and short-a trifecta! Messmore points out the false stories we tell ourselves today about love, sex and marriage, and proposes a more excellent way. In Love will help readers place their own lives and loves in the right story. I'll be sharing it with friends. So should you." - Ryan T. Anderson, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation, and author of 'Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom', United States
"Ryan Messmore brings the ancient Jewish betrothal tradition to life in a way that helps us revitalize modern-day relationships and also understand the larger biblical story. From questioning phrases like 'fall in love' to exploring pre-engagement counselling to describing sex as body language, this book helps readers approach their own love stories with intentionality and hope." - Kelly Monroe Kul