Marriage For Further Reading

Broad Approaches

Bagot, Jean-Pierre. How to Understand Marriage (Crossroad, 1987) presents the history and Catholic theology of marriage in a positive and uncritical manner.

Dominian, Jack. Marriage, Faith and Love (Crossroad, 1982) is a thorough and well-written exposition of the many dimensions of marriage in contemporary society.

Martin, Thomas. The Challenge of Christian Marriage (Paulist Press, 1990) is a readable textbook that covers a wide range of topics.

Phypers, David. Christian Marriage in Crisis (MARC Europe, 1985) looks at many aspects of contemporary marriage from a conservative Protestant perspective.

Roberts, Challon and William. Partners in Intimacy (Paulist Press, 1988) touches on all the bases for discussing contemporary marriage, including its religious dimensions.

Scott, Kieran, and Michael Warren, eds. Perspectives on Marriage (Oxford University Press, 1993) offers a fine selection of pieces from books and periodicals on a broad range of topics.

Thomas, Gloria Blanchford. Contemplating Marriage (Sheed and Ward, 1995) is a collection of over forty articles on almost every aspect of the subject.

Whitehead, Evelyn and James. Marrying Well (Doubleday, 1981) discusses thoroughly almost every aspect of marriage from a variety of perspectives.

Particular Topics

Achtmeier, Elizabeth. The Committed Marriage (Westminster Press, 1976) discusses permanent commitment in the light of biblical teaching, modern psychology, and the contemporary stresses on marriage.

Dominian, Jack. Dynamics of Marriage (Twenty-Third Publications, 1993) looks at marriage from a Christian perspective as an interpersonal relationship that promotes growth.

Carmody, Denise and John. Becoming One Flesh (Upper Room, 1984) contains thoughtful and practical reflections on ways to grow personally and religiously through marriage.

Garland, Diane and Richard. Beyond Companionship (Westminster Press, 1986) balances psychology, sociology, and theology to understand the challenge of Christian marriage today.

Lawler, Michael, and William Roberts, eds. Christian Marriage and Family (Liturgical Press, 1996) contains articles on theological and pastoral dimensions of marriage.

Fecher, Vincent. Man, Woman, and God (Alba House, 1993) is an extended essay on Christian marriage based on the author's theological training and pastoral experience.

Holt, Mary van Balen. Marriage: A Covenant of Seasons (Liguori Publications, 1993) presents reflections the experience of marriage through the natural changes in the relationship.

Everett, William Johnson. Blessed Be the Bond (Fortress Press, 1985) develops a Christian understanding of marriage as communion, covenant, vocation, and sacrament.

Garvey, John. The Ways We Are Together (Thomas More Press, 1983) offers insightful sketches on marriage, family, and sexuality.

Hart, Thomas. Living Happily Ever After (Paulist Press, 1979) is a very approachable theology and spirituality of Christian marriage.

Kehrwald, Leif. Marriage and the Spirituality of Intimacy (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1996) is an experience based discussion of healthy close relationships by a Catholic family minister.

Kippley, John. Marriage Is for Keeps (Foundation for the Family, 1994) is written for leaders and couples in Catholic marriage preparation programs.

Padovano, Anthony. Love and Destiny (Paulist Press, 1987) presents poetic reflections on the deeper spiritual meaning of mundane realities.

Reilly, Christopher. Making Your Marriage Work (Twenty Third Publications, 1989) describes the knowledge and skills that couples need in order to have a satisfying and lasting relationship.

Silberman, Eileen Zieget. The Savage Sacrament (Twenty Third Publications, 1983) looks at the theology and reality of marriage from a Christian feminist perspective.

Thomas, David. Written on Scrolls, Inscribed in Hearts (Abbey Press, 1989) presents thoughts about marriage based on the author's experience of life and knowledge of scripture.

For Further Study
History

Brooke, Christopher. The Medieval Idea of Marriage (Oxford University Press, 1989) explores the topic through law, theology, literature and art, setting the religious aspects of marriage in the context of the secular.

Duby, Georges. The Knight, the Lady and the Priest (Pantheon Books, 1983) examines the development of the modern Catholic understanding of marriage during the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

Fuchs, Eric. Sexual Desire and Love (Seabury Press, 1983) traces the origin and evolution of the Christian ethic of sexuality and marriage.

Gies, Frances and Joseph. Marriage and Family in the Middle Ages (Harper & Row, 1987) documents, among other things, the church’s struggle to gain control over marriage in the twelfth century.

Goodsell, Willystine. A History of Marriage and the Family (Macmillan, 1974) contains a wealth of information on Christian and other marital institutions.

Hunter, David. Marriage in the Early Church (Fortress Press, 1992) presents texts with an introductory chapter on their background and the development they disclose.

James, E. O. Marriage Customs Through the Ages (Collier Books, 1965) presents an overview of Christian and other marriage practices.

Mace, David and Vera. The Sacred Fire (Abingdon Press, 1986) is a very readable history of Christian marriage from biblical to modern times.

Mackin, Theodore. What Is Marriage? (Paulist Press, 1982) examines the human institution and social reality of marriage through the ages, giving special attention to Christian customs and beliefs.

Martin, Thomas. The Challenge of Christian Marriage (Paulist Press, 1990) looks at how marriage has been understood and lived in the succession of Christian cultures from New Testament times to the present.

Reynolds, Philip Lyndon. Marriage in the Western Church (E. J. Brill, 1994) is a detailed historical treatment of the gradual Christianization of marriage in the Roman Empire and early medieval Europe.

Schillebeeckx, Edward. Marriage: Human Reality and Saving Mystery (Sheed and Ward, 1965) is a thorough examination of the scriptural and historical background for the Catholic teaching on marriage.

Stevenson, Kenneth. Nuptial Blessing (SPCK, 1982) is a lengthy study of marriage ceremonies from ancient Judaism to contemporary Christianity.

Webber, Christopher. Re-Inventing Marriage (Morehouse, 1994) reviews the history of marriage from ancient times to the future.

Witte, John. From Sacrament to Contract (Westminster John Knox, 1997) exposes the understanding of marriage in five different Christian traditions through an analysis of church and civil laws.

Theology

Alessio, Luis, and Hector Munoz. Marriage and Family: The Domestic Church (Alba House, 1982) contrasts the meanings and values in Catholic, religious, and non-religious marriage.

Buijs, Joseph, ed. Christian Marriage Today (Edwin Mellen Press, 1985) contains interdisciplinary essays on marriage and divorce from a Catholic symposium in Canada.

Burke, Cormac. Covenanted Happiness (Ignatius Press, 1990) takes issue with the view that the legalization of contraceptives, consentual divorce and abortion represents moral progress.

Carmody, Denise Lardner. Caring for Marriage (Paulist Press, 1985) is a prolonged essay on the biblical meaning of agape in light of contemporary feminist concerns.

Deming, Will. Paul on Marriage and Celibacy (Cambridge University Press, 1995) analyzes 1 Corinthians 7 in light of the Greek philosophical views current at the time.

Demmer, Klaus, and Aldergonde Brenninkmeijer-Wehrhahn, eds. Christian Marriage Today (Catholic University of America Press, 1997) presents papers from an international symosium on marriage.

Elliott, Peter. What God Has Joined (Alba House, 1990) explains and defends the traditional Catholic teaching on the sacramentality of marriage.

García de Haro, Ramón. Marriage and Family in the Documents of the Magisterium (Ignatius Press, 1993) documents the official Catholic teaching on marriage since the sixteenth century.

Gleason, Edward. Redeeming Marriage (Cowley Publications, 1988) reflects on the theology of the marriage ceremony in the Book of Common Prayer.

Graham, Callan. Marriage Versus the Theology of Marriage (Litho Press, 1996) is a personal reaction against the legalism and formalism often found in official Catholic treatments of marriage.

Hillman, Eugene. Polygamy Reconsidered (Orbis Books, 1975) argues that the traditional Christian rejection of plural marriage is culturally conditioned and shows little understanding of African society.

Hogan, Richard, and John LeVoir. Covenant of Love (Doubleday, 1985) is an exposition of Pope John Paul II's writings on marriage, the family and sexuality.

Kasper, Walter. Theology of Christian Marriage (Crossroad, 1991) explains the Catholic doctrines of sacramentality and indissolubility while acknowledging the pastoral problems they entail in contemporary society.

Kerns, Joseph. The Theology of Marriage (Sheed and Ward, 1964) is traditional in its approach but is full of illuminating historical references.

Lawler, Michael. Secular Marriage, Christian Sacrament (Twenty-Third Publications, 1985) traces the theology of marriage from biblical to contemporary times in a search for the essence of marriage. Marriage and Sacrament (Liturgical Press, 1993) develops an understanding of marriage based on experience, psychology, scripture, history, and canon law.

Mackin, Theodore. The Marital Sacrament (Paulist Press, 1989) exhaustively investigates the development of marriage as a sacrament from biblical times to the present day.

Malone, Richard, and John Connery, eds. Contemporary Perspectives on Christian Marriage (Loyola University Press, 1984) is a collection of papers written by members of the International Theological Commission of the Catholic Church.

Martinez, German. Worship: Wedding to Marriage (Pastoral Press, 1993) develops a liturgical, scriptural, anthropological and doctrinal theology of marriage.

Meyendorff, John. Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1975) clearly presents the tradition and thinking of the Orthodox churches about marriage and related issues.

Roberts, William. Commitment to Partnership (Paulist Press, 1987) is a fine collection of serious essays on the theology and reality of marriage in the Catholic Church today.

Searle, Mark, and Kenneth Stevenson. Documents of the Marriage Liturgy (Liturgical Press, 1992) introduces translations of marriage rites and other historical texts from a variety of liturgical traditions.

Shivanandan, Mary. Crossing the Threshold of Love (Catholic University of America Press, 1999) develops a comprehensive understanding of marriage based on Pope John Paul II's philosophical anthropology.

Stevenson, Kenneth. To Join Together: The Rite of Marriage (Pueblo, 1987) examines the development and theology of the present Catholic wedding ceremony.

Thomas, David. Christian Marriage (Michael Glazier, 1983) presents a well-rounded theology of marriage, including a summary of the history of Christian marriage.

Tetlow, Elizabeth and Louis. Partners in Service (University Press of America, 1983) develops a biblical theology of marriage as a sacramental relationship that participates in the mission of the church to serve others.

Urbine, William, and William Seifert. On Life and Love (Twenty-Third Publications, 1993) gives an overview of the Catholic teaching on marriage and family, and summarizes nineteen church documents.

Canon Law

Gramunt, Ignatius, and others. Canons and Commentaries on Marriage (Liturgical Press, 1987) gives clear explanations of the sections in the revised code that pertain to marriage, annulment, and divorce.

McAreavy, John. The Canon Law of Marriage and the Family (Four Courts Press, 1997) is a detailed commentary on canons 1055–1165 and other parts of the Code dealing with marriage.

Orsy, Ladislas. Marriage in Canon Law (Michael Glazier, 1986) examines the canons on marriage in the new code and discusses the problems left unresolved.

Scicluna, Charles. The Essential Definition of Marriage According to the 1917 and 1983 Codes of Canon Law (University Press of America, 1995) closely compares and contrasts the two definitions.

Siegle, Bernard. Marriage According to the New Code of Canon Law (Alba House, 1986) is just what the title says it is.

Divorce, Remarriage, and Annulment

Atkinson, David. To Have and To Hold (William B. Eerdmans, 1981) examines the effect of liberalized British laws and Anglican Church policies regarding divorce and remarriage.

Brunsman, Barry. New Hope for Divorced Catholics (Harper & Row, 1985) challenges the theory of indissolubility which conceives of marriage in terms of validity and makes annulment a legal necessity.

Catoir, John. Catholics and Broken Marriages (Ave Maria Press, 1979) discusses marital breakdown, the annulment process, and pastoral suggestions for common types of cases. Where Do You Stand With the Church? (Alba House, 1996) steers between canonical rigidity and pastoral permissiveness in discussing the situation of divorced Catholics.

Coleman, Gerald. Divorce and Remarriage in the Catholic Church (Paulist Press, 1988) presents historical, pastoral, and theological perspectives in a clear and sensitive treatment of the subject.

Collins, Raymond.Divorce in the New Testament (Liturgical Press, 1992) thoroughly examines the divorce texts in Paul and the synoptics, with an extensive review of recent scholarship.

Divorcing, Believing, Belonging (Paulist Press, 1984) contains stories, reflections, and suggestions for Catholics suffering from marital breakdown today.

Doherty, Dennis. Divorce and Remarriage: Resolving a Catholic Dilemma (Abbey Press, 1974) discusses the moral, theological, and canonical implications of divorce, based on historical precedents.

Doogan, Hugh. Catholic Tribunals (E. J. Dwyer, 1990) is a large collection of articles by canon lawyers explaining all aspects of church courts and the adjudication of marriage cases.

Grib, Philip. Divorce Laws and Morality (University Press of America, 1985) recommends that the Catholic Church tolerate civil divorce laws and attend to the justice issues that they generate.

Hégy, Pierre, and Joseph Martos, eds. Catholic Divorce (Crossroad, 2000) contains articles that are critical of the theory of indissolubility and the policy of requiring annulments.

Hershey, Terry. Beginning Again (Thomas Nelson, 1986) is a practical handbook for Christian divorced persons who need to rethink and rebuild their lives.

Hosie, John. Catholics, Divorce and Remarriage (E. J. Dwyer, 1991) is a short, clearly written book about the social, legal, psychological and spiritual dimensions of marriage transition.

House, H. Wayne, ed. Divorce and Remarriage: Four Christian Views (InterVarsity Press, 1990) presents and analyzes theological positions on the issue based on different readings of relevant scripture texts.

Kelly, Kevin. Divorce and Second Marriage (Geoffrey Chapman, 1996) takes a personalistic approach and argues that Catholics who remarry without an annulment may participate in the life of the church.

Luck, William. Divorce and Remarriage (Harper and Row, 1987) makes a thorough examination of the biblical passages on divorce and remarriage, written from the perspective of a scriptural literalist.

Mackin, Theodore. Divorce and Remarriage (Paulist Press, 1984) thoroughly investigates how marital failure has been regarded down through the Christian centuries. James Young,

Pospishil, Victor. Divorce and Remarriage: Towards a New Catholic Teaching (Herder and Herder, 1967) is a ground breaking study of the scriptural, historical, and theological issues surrounding Catholic remarriage.

Roberts, William, ed. Divorce and Remarriage (Sheed and Ward, 1990) is a collection of stimulating articles on the religious, moral, and psychological dimensions of these two issues.

Robinson, Geoffrey. Marriage, Divorce and Nullity (Novalis, 1984) presents a doctrinal and practical perspective on marriage, with one chapter on the annulment process.

Vasoli, Robert. What God Has Joined Together (Oxford University Press, 1998) argues that most annulments in the United States subvert the authentic Catholic teaching on marriage.

Wrenn, Lawrence, ed. Divorce and Remarriage in the Catholic Church (Newman Press, 1973) has articles which take a further look at the scriptural, historical, and contemporary aspects of marriage and divorce.

Young, James, ed. Divorce Ministry and the Marriage Tribunal (Paulist Press, 1982) collects articles on the process of annulment and suggestions for pastoral improvements.

Zwack, Joseph. Annulment: Your Chance to Remarry Within the Catholic Church (Harper & Row, 1983) is an handy and well written guide to the ins and outs of the annulment process.

Sexuality and Intimacy

Anzia, Joan Meyer, and Mary Durkin. Marital Intimacy: A Catholic Perspective (Loyola University Press, 1980) skillfully blends research, theology, and experience into a developmental description of sexual intimacy.

Dennehy, Raymond. ed. Christian Married Love (Ignatius Press, 1981) selects essays that explain and defend papal teaching on sex, marriage, and birth control.

Durkin, Mary. Feast of Love (Loyola University Press, 1983) expands on Pope John Paul II’s teachings on intimacy and sexuality in marriage.

Fox, Thomas. Sexuality and Catholicism (George Braziller, 1995) reports on issues and the controversies surrounding them, presenting official and dissenting views.

Gallagher, Charles, and others. Embodied in Love (Crossroad, 1987) develops a sacramental spirituality for married persons based on the dynamics of sexual intimacy.

Genovesi, Vincent. In Pursuit of Love: Catholic Morality and Human Sexuality (Liturgical Press, 1996) is a through treatment that presents both sides of debated issues.

Grace, Mike and Joyce. A Joyful Meeting (International Marriage Encounter, 1980) offers earthy, humorous, and balanced advice about sexuality in marriage.

Hogan, Margaret Monahan. Finality and Marriage (Marquette University Press, 1993) is an essay about the nature of marriage and the purpose of sexual intercourse as understood within the Catholic tradition.

Kelsey, Morton and Barbara. Sacrament of Sexuality (Amity House, 1986) suggests that if sexuality is sacramental, it can be a healthy part of integral spiritual development.

Kippley, John. Sex and the Marriage Covenant (Couple to Couple League International, 1991) argues that since marriage is the only legitimate context for sexual intercourse, artificial birth control is immoral.

Lawler, Ronald, Joseph Boyle, and William May. Catholic Sexual Ethics (Our Sunday Visitor, 1998) presents the foundations of Catholic sexual morality, and then summarizes, explains and defends the Church's position.

Lester, Andrew and Judith. It Takes Two (Westminster John Knox, 1998) gives direction to couples who intend to achieve and maintain an intimate relationship.

May, William. Sex, Marriage, and Chastity (Franciscan Herald Press, 1981) presents a reasoned exposition of the official Catholic doctrine on sexual behavior within and outside marriage.

Oliver, Mary Anne McPherson. Conjugal Spirituality (Sheed and Ward, 1994) develops a spirituality for married persons that includes their relationships to one another, to God, and to others.

Rousseau, Mary, and Charles Gallagher. Sex Is Holy (Element, 1991) is a theological and pastoral presentation of the Catholic understanding of sexuality within marriage.

Tyrrell, Thomas. The Adventure of Intimacy (Twenty-Third Publications, 1994) is partly autobiographical, partly philosophical, partly spiritual, and partly theological.

Whitehead, Evelyn and James. A Sense of Sexuality (Crossroad, 1994) places sexuality within the context of intimacy, partnership, and marriage.

Marriage and Religious Diversity

Airhart, Phyllis, and Margaret Lamberts Bendroth, eds. Faith Traditions and the Family (Westminster John Knox, 1996) discusses family life and values within a wide variety of (mostly Christian) religious traditions.

Cowan, Paul. Mixed Blessings (Doubleday, 1987) gives a historical perspective on marriage between Jews and Christian going back into the nineteenth century.

Driskill, J. Lawrence. Cross Cultural Marriages and the Church (Hope Publishing House, 1995) tells stories about seventeen interracial and intercultural marriages, their strengths and weaknesses.

Ho, Man Keung. Building a Successful Intermmarriage between Religions, Social Classes, Ethnic Groups or Races (Abbey Press, 1984) covers advantages, problems, and strategies for increasingly diverse marriages.

Kilcourse, George. Double Belonging (Paulist Press, 1992) covers a wide range of topics from individual and institutional perspectives regarding marriages between persons who are active in two different Christian churches.

Lawler, Michael. Ecumenical Marriage and Remarriage (Twenty-Third Publications, 1990) treats practical, pastoral, theological and canonical dimensions of the issue.

Lawless, Richard. When Love Unites (Abbey Press, 1982) is a very basic introduction to the realities of interfaith marriage.