"Dr. Miles successfully navigates the turbulent waters of modern sexual life and traditional Christian morality. She calls both husbands and wives to greater mutual love and regard through her careful reading of the passages of Ephesians and Matthew most challenging to today's Christian. The delightful chapter on the Song of Songs is worth the price of the book."--Jennifer Roback Morse, author of Smart Sex: Finding Lifelong Love in a Hook-up World"Combining keen observations with sociological evidence, this book offers an understanding of the factors that have shaken the institutions of marriage and the family in modern societies and what can be done about it. Building upon both previous scholarship and a generous but responsible use of biblical writings, the author explains how we can be liberated from a self-centered 'economic' view of gender and sexuality relationships. The Redemption of Love calls for nothing less than a new ethics for marriage, gender, and family relationships, which in reality is a reaffirmation of biblical ethics. I look forward to using this well-written and insightful book in my gender and sexuality course.

"--Jack Balswick, Fuller Theological Seminary"The Redemption of Love is a book we have needed for a long time! While there are plenty of books on the topic of marriage, few offer a genuine assessment of the impact of economics on marriage customs from the Garden of Eden through the present. This book is a must read for marriage counselors, pastors, professors, and lay leaders. With its biblical emphasis, The Redemption of Love belongs in every church library. It is an understandable and significant resource for lay people as well as professionals."--Mimi Haddad, president, Christians for Biblical Equality (www.cbeinternational.org)"This elegant, sensible, and faithful book peels away centuries of misunderstanding about Christianity and marital love."--Rodney Stark, author of For the Glory of God"So many books on marriage are saying the same old thing; this book by Carrie Miles is a fresh perspective.

I learned from her focus on economics about the many ways our materialistic, capitalist culture puts a strain on families and draws us away from the wisdom of scripture. Her application of the Bible to our lives today is a welcome relief from the politics of hierarchy we hear all too often. In persuasive and clear tones, Miles argues for greater mutuality in marriage between men and women, and helps us see what it really means to put God first. Miles sets our hearts and minds back on the right course: mutual submission and married love that honors Christ."--Alan G. Padgett, Luther Seminary"In this candid and sensitive book, Carrie Miles shows how much of the 'traditional family values' were shaped by economic necessity. These values are not supported, however, by changing economic realities that in fact seem to support other values. Dr.

Miles responds with a sophisticated analysis of biblical teachings on marriage, especially in the Song of Songs."--Andrew Greeley, University of ChicagoPLEASE DO NOT ALTER THE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENT:"I regard this winsomely written, meticulously researched, hopeful, and wise book as a must-read. Dr. Miles has brilliantly connected an astute analysis of the relation of the pre-industrial economics of scarcity to traditional sexual divisions of labor and gender norms in the 'fallen world of thorns' with her insightful and persuasive readings of Genesis, the Song of Songs, and Ephesians. Many readers will find truly eye-opening her detailed investigation of the intimate relation between human survival and the focus of marriage changing from production to consumption. And her emphasis on the here-and-now consequences of redemption in Christ for marriage and sexual relationships is both theologically sound and wonderfully practical. This book can change your life and your marriage for the better."--S.

Scott Bartchy, UCLA.