Life-Giving Love: Embracing God's Beautiful Design for Marriage

by Kimberly Hahn, Scott Hahn (Foreword)

God has a beautiful design for your marriage. Have you discovered it? Hahn offers a fresh but deeply rooted perspective on the true meaning of marital love and its implications for a number of significant issues: natural family planning, contraception, infertility, abortion, sterilization, and miscarriage. She draws from Scripture and Church teachings as well as poignant personal experiences from dozens of families who share their stories.

Genres: Catholic, Marriage, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith, Parenting

384 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2011

About the author

Mrs. Kimberly Hahn has been married to Scott since 1979. They have six children: Michael, Gabriel, Hannah, Jeremiah, Joseph, and David. Kimberly has been a full-time, stay-at-home Mom since their firstborn’s arrival. Currently, she home schools her younger children. She enjoys speaking with Scott, but ministry is a priority after family commitments.

Kimberly became a Catholic at the Easter Vigil of 1990 in Joliet, Illinois, after a difficult struggle during the four years following Scott’s entrance into the Catholic Church. She has completed a book with Scott on their journey into the Catholic Church entitled Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism. It has been translated into Spanish, French, Czech, Polish, Chinese, Italian, German and Dutch.

In addition to Rome Sweet Home, Kimberly’s newest books are Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage and Life Giving Love: Embracing God’s Beautiful Design for Marriage published by Servant Publications. She has contributed chapters to Catholic for A Reason: Scripture and The Mystery of the Family of God, Catholic for A Reason II: Scripture and The Mother of God; Catholic for a Reason III: Scripture and the Eucharist, Catholic for a Reason IV: Scripture and the Mystery of Marrigae and Family Life, and The Gift of Femininity. She has also co-authored a book on Catholic home education with Mary Hasson entitled, Catholic Education - Homeward Bound: A Guide to Home Schooling.

Kimberly’s educational background includes a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Arts from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania, in May of 1979 (magna cum laude), followed by a Masters of Arts in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in May, 1982 (magna cum laude).

During past school years, Kimberly lead a weekly Bible study at Franciscan University. Her studies on the Mysteries of the Rosary, Proverbs 31, Knowing the Will of God, Finances, Praying from the Hearth, Dating and Courtship, and Women of Hope are available on audiocassette through St. Joseph Communications as are many of her talks on topics related to family life and the Catholic faith.

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Catholic couple should read this book. I dig the Hahns.

[Ramón S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro que todo matrimonio católico debería leer, asimismo los sacerdotes y aquellos que preparan los cursos prematrimoniales. Excelente, con los pies en la tierra, muy claro , doctrinalmente impecable. Toca temas muy necesarios como la esterilidad , la perdida de un hijo durante el embarazo, la reversión de una ligadura de trompas o vasectomia, la apertura a la Vida....
Me ha ayudado muchísimo

[Tirzah Eleora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimberley Hahn's heartfelt appeal to the men and women who are followers of Christ to open themselves to the life God chooses to give them will touch your heart and gently nudge your conscience. Many Christians that are convicted about these wonderful teachings are sadly quiet about them, so reading this testimonial was very refreshing. Recommend it!

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good points and good perspective

Kimberly presents good points, anecdotes as well as practical advice by reflecting on the true worth inherent to all human beings. Furthermore, she expands on how the knowledge of this inherent value needs to carry us in our daily lives. Highly recommended.

[Serina Creekmore-leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, it opened my heart and my husband's heart to leave our family planning up to God. It made me realize that using birth control was a way of saying "No" to God's plan for us and our marriage. We wanted God entirely in our marriage.

[Sarah McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helped me grasp the teachings of TOB and inspired me to live them out within my marriage.
Should be required reading for all pre-cana couples!

[Betsy Koestler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite inspiring and well-researched. I love Hahn’s perspective on life, to be “life-giving lovers and life-loving givers.” I give it only 4 stars because of a few ideas I find odd, and some that go too far. For instance, Hahn believes a couple can use NFP for “selfish” reasons. In real life, that is practically impossible. Hahn believes teens are not equipped to handle information about fertility, which I find quite insulting and believe the opposite, that this science is for all. Also, in many parts of the book, Hahn seems to operate under the idea that the church says “more is better” in regards to children, which it never has.

[Sabrina Bernauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book I thought would give me practical tips to growing in holiness as a wife and mother. It is predominantly a TOB book and was not what I was expecting or needing. It presents the feminine point of view and application of TOB, so would be good if contemplating marriage, children, etc. again, just not what I was looking for as a middle aged woman who has been married almost twenty years and has five kids.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a perfect introduction into what married life looks life: the challenges of relationship between spouses, of childbirth, of natural family planning, infertility, sterility, child(en)'s education and much more.

[Larissa Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hahns get a lot of hype but there’s something about a wife referencing her husbands book that felt evangelical to me and so I’ll go back to my rule of only reading Catholic literature written by our priests, nuns and Saints - read like something Olsteen would write.

[Jaqueline Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leitura obrigatória para quem quer entender e viver a doutrina católica acerca do matrimônio e da abertura a vida.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life-Giving Love helped me more fully and personally understand the Church's teachings against contraception. I read it with a group of women because I wanted to hear others' real-life responses to a tough teaching in our faith. I'd say it was life-changing. I don't think I'd recommend this as an "outsider's" guide, but for a new Catholic hoping to understand these teachings, it's valuable.

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe books have their own time. I was given this book 5 years ago when I was starting my family. It was there on the shelf for that long. Until now. After and as I read it let me just say that I am in love. (I don't think this book would've caused the same emotion back then.) Thank you Tia for lending it to me.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own this book. I thought the book was beautifully written. The Hahn's testimony, offered through Kimberly's perspective, is heartfelt. You get a better understanding of marriage, motherhood, and God's plan for the two.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I learned a lot about the Catholic teachings. It covered every possible aspect that a couple could be dealing with and offered a lot of sound advice and guidance. Good read, if a hard truth for many.

[Riko · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Catholics (and non-Catholics as well!!) should read this book.

[Lia Brasali Ariefano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. Change my point of view on marriage life and children.

[Amy Wyckoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eye opening book. It is one of my favorites that I have read many times.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing insight to family!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the Catholic beliefs about family planning and marriage (the "theology of the body") and a heartfelt sharing of Scott and Kimberly Hahn's own story and struggles.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to the understanding of marriage, the body, and the human person that informs Catholic teaching on contraception, sterilization, and abortion.

[Jordan]

this book is fantastic it changed everything I thought I knew

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have been reading this book with our book group for the past year. It has such good, clear teaching about living out trust in God with our fertility.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful road map to "happily ever after." A very encouraging read into the keys to a faith-filled marriage.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading. It gave me such a great perspective on living open to life.

[Caroline Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough good things about this book. Very important read for Catholic women who want to do Gods will in their lives.