This Momentary Marriage summary

Marriage as a Display of God's Covenant

In This Momentary Marriage, John Piper begins by asserting that the ultimate purpose of marriage is to display the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His church. He argues that the biblical vision of marriage is one where spouses are not just lovers, but also friends, and partners in the pursuit of God's glory.

Piper emphasizes the significance of the marriage covenant, drawing parallels between the vows made by a husband and wife and the covenant promises made by God to His people. He argues that marriage is not only about the happiness of the individuals involved, but also about reflecting the faithfulness and sacrificial love of Christ.

Marriage and the Pursuit of God's Glory

According to Piper, the pursuit of personal happiness should not be the primary goal of marriage. Instead, he suggests that the ultimate goal of marriage should be the mutual pursuit of God's glory. He encourages couples to seek their joy in God, rather than in each other, and to view their marriage as a means to glorify God.

Furthermore, Piper delves into the role of gender in marriage, arguing that God has designed men and women to fulfill distinct, complementary roles within the marriage relationship. He believes that embracing these roles, rather than resisting or blurring them, leads to a more harmonious and God-glorifying marriage.

The Sanctifying Power of Marriage

Piper acknowledges that marriage is often challenging, and that it has the potential to reveal our deepest flaws and weaknesses. However, he views these challenges as opportunities for growth and sanctification. He believes that God uses the difficulties of marriage to mold and shape us into the image of Christ.

According to Piper, the key to enduring marital difficulties is to view them as part of God's loving, refining work in our lives. He encourages couples to respond to their trials with faith, patience, and a willingness to learn and grow from them.

Sexual Intimacy and the Glory of God

Piper also addresses the topic of sexual intimacy within marriage, asserting that it is a gift from God designed to display His glory. He argues that the physical union between a husband and wife is a powerful symbol of the spiritual union between Christ and His church.

He stresses the importance of mutual respect and selflessness in the marriage bed, and encourages couples to view their sexual relationship as an opportunity to demonstrate their love and commitment to one another, as well as to honor God.

Marriage as a Temporary Reality

In the final section of the book, Piper reflects on the temporariness of marriage in light of eternity. He notes that in heaven, there will be no marriage as we know it, as we will all be eternally united to Christ as His bride. However, he argues that the temporary nature of marriage does not diminish its significance, but rather, enhances it.

In conclusion, This Momentary Marriage presents a profound and challenging perspective on the institution of marriage. It calls couples to view their union as a sacred covenant, designed to display God's glory and refine them into the image of Christ. It is a call to a high, holy, and joy-filled view of marriage that transcends the popular notions of romantic love and personal happiness.