Married Without Masks

Rating:
Summary: Read with caution!
Review: A previous reviewer suggested that this book was more than about marriage, and I would have to agree, however it does zero in on the marriage relationship in a way I found to be somewhat vague and arrogant. Nancy Groom, who has written other books on co-dependency (a dubious concept), and abuse, seems to infer in this book that a wide audience in the Christian community seem to suffer from what she describes as abuse of the husband, in his domineering role, and in its way calls it sin, which it may be, and the partnering of the woman in the same sin by keeping her mouth shut and being the submissive wife (again, it may be sin). She takes from contemporary examples and related questionable psychological theories, and after every chapter, asks some questions which raise questions of their own. She somehow believes she is more right and wrong, and if I were to critique this book, I would have to say that this is Nancy Groom's story more about trying to adapt it to everyone else, and assume that "everybody else is doing it, too." There are some displays of biblical characters as you read through the questions, but in the beginning she doesn't even come close to calling into question Sarah and Rachel and Esther and the other women who fill the pages of Scripture, but she cleverly asks the questions to support her own agenda, as well as all the chapters which deal with abuse and codependency. Again, I believe she is speaking for herself throughout this book and that is it. Take the shopping cart approach with this book and only use what you can. Groom is only one of many to broach this subject, and I found it to be on the heavy-handed side more than the balanced side. If you want to be provoked, this is a good book, but read with caution!

Rating:
Summary: Not just about marriage
Review: Nancy Groom gives a clear and encouraging picture of how God has designed human relationships. Without saying "all men are like this" and "all women are like this" (like most books about marriage do) she discusses the biblical roles of men and women and how God can and will bless your marriage when you follow His plan. Groom makes it clear that relying on human relationships for fulfillment is pointless. Only when you allow God to meet all your needs will you be able to meet the needs of others, whether it's your spouse, child, or best friend. This book has very practical advice and was really encouraging to read.