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On the Bookshelf: Loveology

Loveology

ABOUT THE AUTHOR & BOOK

Loveology John Mark ComerI live in Portland, OR, with my wife Tammy and our three kids – Jude, Moses and Sunday. Portland is this great city in the Pacific Northwest buzzing with culture – food, drink, coffee, indie bands, and lots of depressed people. I love it.

I’m the pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church, right in the center of the city (by Powell’s Books if you’ve ever been to Portland). We have this saying – “In Portland as it is in heaven” – that basically sums up what we’re all about.

I’m also the author of a few books; My Name is Hope, Loveology, Garden City, and my most recent, God has a Name.

As for education, I have a Masters Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary, and I hope to keep going eventually.

If any of the stuff on this site is helpful to you, great. My life’s ambition is to be with Jesus, become like him, and do what he did. My prayer is that the stuff I make helps you do the same.

The Book – Loveology: In the beginning, God created Adam. Then he made Eve.

And ever since we’ve been picking up the pieces.

Loveology is just that—a theology of love.

With an autobiographical thread that turns a book into a story, pastor and speaker John Mark Comer shares about what is right in male/female relationships—what God intended in the Garden. And about what is wrong—the fallout in a post-Eden world.

Loveology starts with marriage and works backward. Comer deals with sexuality, romance, singleness, and what it means to be male and female; ending with a raw, uncut, anything goes Q and A dealing with the most asked questions about sexuality and relationships.

This is a book for singles, engaged couples, and the newly married—both inside and outside the church—who want to learn what the Scriptures have to say about sexuality and relationships. For those who are tired of Hollywood’s propaganda, and the church’s silence. And for people who want to ask the why questions and get intelligent, nuanced, grace-and-truth answers, rooted in the Scriptures.

MY REVIEW – LOVEOLOGY

It has been a LONG time since I have read any book of this type (marriage, love, sex…ect). Most books I read like this one was in my late teens and early twenties because I had the very basic Christian girl fantasy that I was going to get married early on. I probably would be around 21 and by now I should have  3 kids by my side and one in the oven, and not to mention have a thriving ministry with my super anointed, good-looking, Jesus loving husband.

I think it was when I turned 25 that I had a reality check that wasn’t going to happen.  My bubble has been bursted to say the least haha. That’s probably why I have avoided books on the topic, but for some odd reason I was very compelled to read this book when I saw it on BookLook. So, I decided to request it and I’m very glad I did.

Comer does an excellent job digging through scripture to bring the truth on this very important subject. Throughout the whole book he always brings it back to the garden, where the first marriage happened; Adam & Eve. But he doesn’t stop there he weaves in and out of the New & Old Testament. His writing style is crisp, quick witted and fun and throughout the whole book you are learning new things or getting a new revelation.

For me personally, the two parts that really impacted me was “What is marriage for?”. He brings to light from the Word why and it’s not because we fell in love with someone. <— by the way I hate that term “fell in love…” No, you made a choice to love a person, and the butterflies in your stomach are just icing on the cake. Enough, of my opinion back to Comer! He breaks it down to 4 simple reasons:

He brings to light from the Word why and it’s not because we fell in love with someone. <— by the way I hate that term “fell in love…” No, you made a choice to love a person, and the butterflies in your stomach are just icing on the cake. Enough, of my opinion back to Comer! He breaks it down to 4 simple reasons:

1. Companionship – I like to call this the life buddy. You get married because you want a best friend who does EVERYTHING with you! How fun is that!?! I totally want a life buddy.

2. The Garden – Now this was music to my ears! Finally, someone had the guts to say it. Marriage is to help us achieve our calling in the Lord. Yes, that’s right calling matters in marriage….THANK YOU, COMER! AMEN & AMEN!

3. Sexuality – Hey babe, Hey babe, Heeeeeeey haha

4. Family – Have babies!! Raise up children to love God and people! <— What a honor that is and to top it off these little people are a mix of you and your life buddy. What could be better than that combo??
If you like here is a short video from John Mark about “What Is The Purpose Of Marriage?”

And the other thing I would like to share from Loveology that I felt was super good is that the author attacks the idea of “the one” head on. Which to be honest I’ve heard tons of teaching on, and I’m always left with a somewhat sour taste in my mouth and after reading this book I know why. It’s true the Bible never teaches that there is special perfect match out there just for you. That thinking is actually rooted in Greek mythology, but Comer doesn’t just stop there (thank God!). He goes on to teach out of the story of Isaac and Rebekah and that God will drop people in our life that would be a good match, but we still have a choice to pick them or not. It puts God back in the equation, but brings a level of freedom. We can’t mess it up; because no matter what marriage is messy!! One of the quotes that really makes you think is this:

That thinking is actually rooted in Greek mythology, but Comer doesn’t just stop there (thank God!). He goes on to teach out of the story of Isaac and Rebekah and that God will drop people in our life that would be a good match, but we still have a choice to pick them or not. It puts God back in the equation, but brings a level of freedom. We can’t mess it up; because no matter what marriage is messy!! One of the quotes that really makes you think is this:

The only person who can truly complete you and make you happy is God. No human, not even your spouse can do that. Well, I could go on and on about what I learned from this book, but I feel like you should just go buy it! It really is an excellent read and I highly recommend it!

If you like this review check out my post on: HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own

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