REAL MARRIAGE

I had the great privilege of attending the Real Marriage conference this weekend with my wife (thanks Tim & Michelle).  There was a firestorm on the blogosphere surrounding Mark & Grace Driscoll coming to speak at Liberty University  (The University founded by the late Jerry Falwell) due to the “provocative” nature of their book, among other things. 

I have to be honest and say that this conference was a blessing to my wife and I and will be an impetus for needed conversations between us.

While at the conference I was able to pick up a copy of Real Marriage, The Truth about Sex, Friendship and Life Together.  Mark and Grace have set out to write a book that is, “ biblically faithful, emotionally hopeful, practically helpful, sociologically viable, ad personally vulnerable.”  In looking through the book I would say that they have done just that. It is refreshing to have a couple in Christian leadership who speak honestly about their own struggles and triumphs for the edification of the body. Moreover, speak to those things that are happening in marriages that most pastors/churches are not speaking to at all.

It is rare to find people brave enough or wise enough to speak into the shame of others with an unwavering commitment to scripture and the gospel.  It is hard to find someone speaking biblically, articulately, and humbly, to the confusion and brokenness of others.  This weekend Mark and Grace exemplified these qualities.

I am thankful for not only this conference but Mark Driscoll’s bold engagement of some of, what I would say are the biggest issues facing modern culture – masculinity, pornography, and marriage, to name a few.   I would assert that pastor Driscoll is doing this better than most.   I am thankful for his ministry, I am thankful for the conference.