Marriage and the Counsel of God - Biblical Guidance for Couples

In this review of Marriage and the Counsel of God the reviewer finds a thoughtful, pastoral resource aimed at couples and church leaders seeking a Scripture-centered approach to marriage. The book and accompanying workbook are the product of over twenty-two years of study and counseling, and the single biggest reason to buy is its consistent integration of Genesis and Ephesians with core Christian beliefs to guide premarital preparation, marriage support, and recovery work.

Key Features

• Biblical foundation: The text connects the marriage model in Genesis and Ephesians to practical guidance couples can apply in daily life.
• Pastoral experience: The material reflects more than two decades of pastoral counseling, making examples and suggestions grounded in real-world church practice.
• Workbook support: The included workbook format helps couples and pastors translate teaching into discussion and action steps.
• Christian doctrine integration: Core beliefs such as the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, and the Lord's Prayer are treated for their direct relevance to marriage dynamics.
• Scripture-rich: Abundant Scripture references are provided so readers can follow and verify the biblical basis for each point.

Who It's For

This resource is best suited for engaged couples preparing for marriage, married couples seeking structured support, and pastors or lay leaders looking for a theologically informed curriculum to lead premarital or marriage-education sessions. The workbook format makes it practical for small-group or one-on-one study where discussion and application are priorities.

Those looking for secular marriage advice, quick self-help tips without theological context, or a modern psychology-heavy approach should look elsewhere; this work prioritizes Lutheran-informed Christian teaching and pastoral counsel over therapeutic techniques divorced from doctrine.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong scriptural focus aligns teaching with recognizable passages from Genesis and Ephesians for clear doctrinal coherence.
• Practical workbook elements turn theological discussion into guided action for couples and leaders.
• Experience-based examples from pastoral counseling make the material relatable for congregational use.

Cons

• The approach is distinctly Christian and doctrinal, so readers seeking secular or clinical counseling methods may find it limited.

Specifications

Title	Marriage and the Counsel of God
Author	Michael A Eschelbach
Content focus	Genesis and Ephesians-based biblical model for marriage
Includes	Text and accompanying workbook
Use cases	Premarital preparation, marriage support, recovery counseling
Doctrinal elements	Ten Commandments, Apostles Creed, Lord's Prayer, baptism, Communion, confession/absolution

Our Verdict

Marriage and the Counsel of God is a valuable, theologically grounded resource for churches and couples that want marriage instruction rooted in Scripture and pastoral practice. It delivers practical workbook exercises alongside abundant biblical references, making it good value for congregational programs and serious couples committed to a Christian framework for marriage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this include study materials for couples?
Yes. The product pairs a text with an accompanying workbook designed for discussion and practical application.

Is the approach doctrinal or secular?
The approach is explicitly Christian and doctrinal, emphasizing Scripture and traditional Christian practices.

Who wrote the material?
The work reflects over twenty-two years of biblical study and pastoral counseling by Michael A Eschelbach.