Reviewed Book: Dominian, Jack. Dynamics of Marriage: Love, Sex, and Growth from a Christian Perspective. Mystic, Conn: Twenty-Third Publications, 1993

Frederick, Jacob A.

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Dynamics of Marriage: Love, Sex, and Growth from a Christian Perspective

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 21Issue 1 Women and Men in Theological Education:Exploring the Present, Creating the FutureArticle 295-1-1995Dynamics of Marriage: Love, Sex, and Growthfrom a Christian PerspectiveJacob A. FrederickFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationFrederick, Jacob A. (1995) "Dynamics of Marriage: Love, Sex, and Growth from a Christian Perspective," Consensus: Vol. 21 : Iss. 1 ,Article 29.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol21/iss1/29Book Reviews 161However, the congregation can’t do it alone. And this is where FindingLeaders for Tomorrow’s Churches makes its greatest contribution. '‘^Withgrowing awareness that this new ‘mission frontier’ is in the local parish, itis time for all of us concerned about recruitment and screening to figureout how the values and wisdom of local congregations can be factored intothe process.” That will take new, more inclusive strategies and initiativesinvolving national judicatories and seminaries in support of congregations.Oswald proposes them in a chapter entitled Responding Across Boundaries.The ideas are multiple and varied: from Regional Consultants, Seminary-University Networks, Vocation Days, College Chaplains and Religion De-partments, to Parish Identifiers, College and High School Internships andTrained Clergy Selectors. Are congregations aware of their formative roles?Give them this book.Everyone interested in leadership for today’s church will find some-thing in it; candidates for ministry, parents whose children could be leaders,parishes who are seeking pastors, pastors who recognize themselves as rolemodels, seminary professors who are preparing students for ordination or,synod councils who are involved in screening and supporting candidates. Itis short and punchy, filled with facts, insights and practical ideas.But reading it is not enough. Like any “idea. ..” book, its value lies inits stimulus to action. After all, recruitment is a task, not a topic.Lawrence W. DenefEvangelical Lutheran Church in CanadaWinnipeg, ManitobaDynamics of MarriageJack DominianMystic Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1993167 pp. $9.95 U.S.This book is written with sincere concern for the woman and man in-volved in the intimacy of marriage. The reader is informed very clearly;|i about the melding of procreation and spousal love.jThe first concern that I had in reading this book was the qualificationsIjjof the author, and I was informed that he is a practicing psychiatrist andi! founder and director of the Marriage Research Center at the Middlesex\Hospital in England. Jack Dominian has more than thirty years experienceIas a lecturer on marriage.IIDominian states that his desire is to inform us in a down to earth man-Iner about marriage from a theological stance. This is accomplished withIconcern for the institution of marriage as a viable and loving relationship.Marriage is explained from the first glimmer of attraction through thepassion of courtship, into the intimacy of the pitfalls and pleasures of en-suing years.162 ConsensusNot only are the years and stages of marriage explained (or at least in-sights offered), but also the factors that arise from birth through childhoodwhich affect the manner in which we establish future relationships.“Infant bonding to parents”, has always been of great interest to mepersonally. This aspect of early childhood behavior is discussed by Do-minian and he highlights the importance of understanding the past to havea better conception of future developments in marriage.Three aspects of marriage which I have used in marriage counselingare: patience, kindness, and unselfishness (1 Corinthians 13). These termsof affection cover a lot of territory in the arena of marriage and Dominiancovers them in chapters titled: “Sustaining Love, Healing Love and Growingin Love”.The relationship of the divine to marriage is seldom separated in thisbook. The love of God and the relationship of love in all its aspects aremaintained.It takes a lifetime to get to know each other and respond accurately,but in the process, in the Christian sense, we are developing thequalities of the Trinity, in which three persons know each otherperfectly and respond to each other fully. The growth of maritallove is like this process, and it takes a long time to achieve it. (p.167)Sexuality is explained as a gift from the Lord which is enjoyed withinmarriage without pious censure. The creative nature of sexual union is wellknown, but Dominian accentuates that in sexual union there should alsobe a union of intimate personal knowledge of each other. The place wherethis can exist is in an aura of love and commitment (marriage).Individually there will be certain chapters that will be more appealingthan others, but, as an overall guide, this book may serve the purposefor marriage counseling. I think that I am wise in the ways of marriage(married for 38 years), and as I read, I may comment, “I know that”. But,oh, if I had known 38 years ago!This is a good book!Jacob A. FrederickTrinity Evangelical Lutheran ChurchWindsor, Ontario

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Dynamics of Marriage: Love, Sex, and Growth from a Christian Perspective

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