Aflame: Ancient Wisdom on Marriage

by Sam Torode

Featuring beautiful words and photographs alongside each other, Aflame offers ancient wisdom on eight aspects of marriage: unity, beauty, harmony, joy, purity, desire, fruitfulness, and fidelity. The eight sections each begin with a Scripture verse, and consist of select excerpts from ancient Christian books, sermons, and wedding liturgies, all drawn from a rich variety of cultures - Greek, Roman, African, Middle Eastern, and Celtic.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802829031
• ISBN13: 9780802829030
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 133 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

Delightful and Challenging

Sometimes, you know a book will become a favorite, even before you buy it. When I found out that Sam and Bethany Torode had compiled a book of "ancient wisdom on marriage," I knew it would be a good one. And when Aflame arrived in my mailbox today, I felt I could write the review even before cracking its cover. But as I peaked through its pages over lunch, I liked it even more than I had judged by cover alone. Gem after gem of truth on marriage, arranged by topic, illustrated--not with provocative statues--but photographs of fields and flowers and trees. An asthetically delightful and mentally challenging little book, it's the perfect wedding gift, and an excellent addition to anyone's library!

Passionate and Powerful

Aflame is the perfect title for this lovely little book. The diverse sources of ancient wisdom compiled in these pages is almost dangerous. It could cause a marriage to spontaneously combust! Full of passion, purity, and power this book is sure to flame the fires of both marriage and a deeper appreciation for any believers desire for Christ. Great for a wedding, anniversary, or St. Valentines Day present, or anytime a couple needs to renew the blaze. A must have book.

Lovely and Compact

This compact, lovely book offers an eclectic collection of quotes from the first 400 years of Christianity, drawn from Roman, Byzantine, Celtic, Coptic, Syrian, and Armenian sources, coupled with striking black and white photographs. Aflame gracefully challenges the notion that the early church was ambiguous about marriage and sexuality. I plan to tuck this book in with wedding gifts. It's a great (and affordable) resource in a refreshing, readable format that will inspire couples for years to come.

A Treasure!

This beautiful little volume offers a treasury of quotations compiled from ancient Christian writers on the value and beauty of marriage. It certainly disproves the false notion that the early Christians were afraid of sexuality and marriage or thought negatively towards the physical body. It's arranged topically, with chapter headings: Unity, Beauty, Harmony, Joy, Purity, Desire, Fruitfulness, and Fidelity. All in all, it's an inspirational, insightful, elegant and attractive book that will make a lovely wedding or anniversary present.

an ideal wedding gift

Books like The Da Vinci Code have given many readers the impression that early Christianity took a negative view of marriage and sexuality. The many quotations from ancient sources collected in "Aflame" provide not only a powerful challenge to that familiar stereotype but are exciting to read simply for the freshness of their insights regarding married love. The book is also a pleasure to look at -- Eerdmans has done well with the photos and typography. I can't think of a better wedding gift. It would be useful as well to anyone contemplating marriage or working to renew their marriage.