The Christian Family
BOOK REVIEW

By Stanley O. Williford
Director of Publications

Before you complete those wedding plans, do yourself a favor and read Apostle Frederick K.C. Price’s book, The Christian Family, to get a clear concept of what marriage and family life are all about.

You just may save yourself a lot of misery and heartache down the road. Aside from the Bible, The Christian Family is one of the most definitive books you’ll find on how to come together in marriage, and what it all means.

In fact, if you’re already married and wondering whether you should be married, or should remain married, there is information in this book that may dissolve your concerns and lead you to make the proper decision.

First, everyone needs to understand that God ordained marriage.  It was His idea.  He ordained it as a union between a man and a woman.  There can be no substitute for marriage other than what He declared it to be.

“God ordained that there be husbands and wives,” Apostle writes. “Therefore, it is easy to see that anyone who promotes relationships between men and women outside of marriage is in total and direct opposition to the clearly revealed Word of God. Anything outside marriage is not right and will have to be answered for at the Judgment.”

“God's order is for male and female sexual activities to be confined within the context of marriage,” he continues. “That does not mean that everyone must marry. One can live unmarried if they desire. That is their choice. But if they do not marry, then they should not participate in marriage activities. They can participate, of course, but they will not be operating within the blessing and sanction of God.”

The foregoing information may seem basic to many, but every Christian should know the basic information. There is so much beyond the basics in The Christian Family that even couples who have been married for years can enhance their knowledge and understanding – and their enjoyment.

Here are some points Apostle Price makes early:

  • New life (babies) should only be created in the crucible of marriage.
  • Choose your mate spiritually, become one flesh, and then stay married for life.
  • Though God allows it, He does not approve of divorce.
  • God placed the man as head of the house, but not as the “God” or “priest” of the house.
  • Men should treat their wives as Jesus treats the church.
  • Make sure your spouse is in agreement before inviting relatives in to live with you.
  • Live godly before your spouse and do not nag.
  • If your spouse is not in agreement with tithing, only give what you can.

Apostle Price goes deeply into the subject of divorce, and what he shares on that subject may free a lot of divorced Christians who are unclear on whether they are allowed to marry again. 

There is information on the duties of the husband and the duties of the wife. There is information on the division of labor, and on who should handle the finances. There is information on the disciplining of the children.

There is information on the marriage bed and, of course, sex.

Apostle Price laments that young people are left to learn about sex “in back alleys, locker or shower rooms at school, or from others in bits and pieces that are distorted.”  Just as bad, they learn about sex from movies, television and magazine pornography.

“Because we have not clearly defined teaching from the Word, the Church leaves people to learn about sex on their own. As for sex among married couples, First Corinthians 7:4-5 says:

The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.  And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

God sees us as one in the marriage relationship, he reminds the reader.  Therefore, the two-in-one share everything equally – and that includes their bodies.  Belonging to one another equally is what sex is all about, and the experience should be beautiful.

The Christian Family also discusses the duties of parents and the duties of the children.

At the end of the book, he offers answers to written questions on marriage and the family, while Dr. Betty R. Price shares her insights on family living. 

https://store.crenshawchristiancenter.net/p-2291-the-christian-family.aspx




     
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