May 14, 2012
Hey, husbands—do you want to recapture that romantic spark you felt early on in your marriage? Buzzard, a popular author, speaker, and a pastor in Silicon Valley, offers advice to married men on wooing their wives in the same way they did during courtship. He posits that “dating your wife” implies taking initiative in the relationship; not getting lazy; treating your wife with respect and dignity; and remembering the fascination that drew you to her initially. This is all helpful advice, especially for younger couples whose “honeymoon effect” is fading. But this also comes with a particular religious worldview. Lest one think that a marriage is between two parties, however, the author makes clear that he believes the best and most successful unions are God-centered. This may make sense to some; other potential readers will find the author’s conservative Christian theology arguable. His belief that Adam and Eve were historical figures and the first married couple will lose credibility with all but ardent Christian conservatives. At other points, the author’s tone is condescending and close to sexist. Still, the practical advice, such as that offered in the appendix with 100 ideas for dating your wife, could be a positive catalyst toward a healthy marriage for all who want more advice than theology.