The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

HOPING to teach Bahamians how to transform the average marriage into what God truly intends, Bahamian author Calvin Dean launched his new book, “Mirror in the Marriage”.

According to Mr Dean, the new book informs readers about the Biblical parallel between Christ and the church and a husband and wife. He noted that his mission is to help married couples exemplify the attitude and relationship Christ has with his church. The book is accompanied by a workbook to “ensure effectiveness”.

“There are so many marriages out there that are in a state of disrepair and there is finally a book that both parties can relate to and emulate the components there in. Getting married can be the greatest joy in one’s life, staying married can be the greatest fight of one’s life and being happy in one’s marriage can be the greatest contentment in one’s life. Hence, many people are hungry for the knowledge of a fail proof marriage and this book offers the principles for that,” said Mr Dean.
During the private launch of the book last week at the Kingdom Life Church, Mr Dean said it all turned out very well, gathering close to 40 people.

“We are doing a major launch at the Mall at Marathon next Saturday. The book will be available at the 100% Bookstore, the Christian Bookstore, BFM Bookstore and Logos,” he said.
Speaking about one of the chapters in the book, “Naked”, Mr Dean told Tribune Religion he writes about getting naked in a marriage. Mr Dean said he writes about being open in a marriage.

“If you are projected to be a person that is not really you, the other person will fall in love with a lie and this is what we mean when we talk about getting naked in your marriage,” he said.
Mr Dean said we are living in a world where people are getting married and divorced almost instantaneously. They are married today, and divorced tomorrow, he said.
“Some have turned it into a craze and are marrying just because it is the popular thing to do. But they do not weigh the importance and sanctity of this honourable institution. Added to all of this, many marriages are being invaded by infidelity, Hollywood, the Internet, self-centred thinking, greed, and pride, when they really should be occupied with fidelity, sharing, selflessness, humility, love and service.

They are no longer about sharing, but all about egotism and personal fortification; no longer about commitment, but about our personal autonomy, said Mr Dean.
He said if persons take a look at Ephesians 5:22-33, they can see where in fact, under the inspiration of the holy spirit, the Apostle Paul tells his people that the relationship that Christ shares with his church, should be mirrored in the relationship husbands should have with their wives.
Mr Dean said it was about 15 years ago when he was led to write a book on marriage but at that time his knowledge of marriage issues was limited because he was only married for just over one year. But now, he said the lord asked him to write on marriage based on his relationship with the church.

“Most of the time when people seek advice in counsellors, the advice they get in return is based on a man’s experience. When you apply how God feels about it, you cannot go wrong,” said Mr Dean.

“This book will teach people how to act and live their life towards their partners in a Godly way. It helps us to serve our spouses on either side, as Christ would have served his disciples. It talks about us being a friend to one another,” said Mr Dean.