relationships Archives - Public Square Magazine

A behind-the-scenes moment of melancholy intimacy on a film set, showing the sad state of marriage in movies.

A New Marriage Story

Amanda Freebairn1 week ago3 days ago07 mins

We’ve mastered cynicism about marriage; it’s time to recover the drama of reconciliation.

A couple in a church fellowship hall works together to sort donated items at a food drive. Strong Black families link faith and stewardship through anonymous giving and community service.

The Service Ethic Behind Strong Black Families

Antonius Skipper2 weeks ago010 mins

Researchers find that for many Black married couples, faith turns service into stewardship—building stronger homes by lifting neighbors and communities.

An older couple shares stories during an interview, highlighting faith and resilience in black marriages.

Studying Strong Black Marriages Changed My Own

Antonius Skipper3 weeks ago08 mins

A thousand pages of interviews changed one PhD student’s marriage. Now he documents Black couples who draw on faith to build strong families.

A roofline under gray skies with several crows perched along the ridge, one crow pecking near a skylight, a gutter visibly clogged with wet leaves and peanut shells, early morning light. Peacemaking grows harder when daily irritations pile up like debris.

The Continuous, Habitual Struggle for Peace

Samuel B. Hislop1 month ago07 mins

How can conflict be redeemed? The answer is slow, practiced love that resists pride and chooses reconciliation.

Two spouses in jeans and sweaters fold laundry together, laughing softly. Ordinary shared work shows how daily sacrifice strengthens commitment in marriage.

The “Me-First” Ethic Is Breaking Marriages Before They Begin

Briella Smith2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Can couples lower divorce risk? Yes—shared religious worship predicts greater stability, meaning, and satisfaction.

The Final Lesson of Peacemaking: Ask Better Questions

Skyline2 months ago2 months ago09 mins

What sustains peacemaking? Thoughtful questions grounded in empathy, clarity, and humility guide resolution.

A therapist sits in despair on the therapy sofa beneath credentials, the empty chair representing therapist divorce.

The Divorce Epidemic Among the People We Pay to Prevent Divorce

C.D. Cunningham4 months ago011 mins

Why do therapists divorce more than most? High stress, blurred boundaries, and perfectionism strain marriages.

A couple prays separately with wedding rings behind them, representing distorted priorities in Christian marriage counseling.

When Therapy Undermines Marriage: How Differentiation Fails the Christian Model

C.D. Cunningham4 months ago013 mins

Can Crucible Therapy align with Christian marriage? It exalts autonomy over covenant and lacks proven results.

A woman prays while her husband watches in silence, capturing the start of shared spiritual transformation.

How Faith Transforms Relationships: A Journey of Personal and Relational Change

Loren Marks6 months ago015 mins

Can real people experience change? Couples of faith were shaped by gradual, sudden, and sacred transformation.

Two people sit back-to-back in quiet tension, symbolizing emotional distance in conflict resolution

Disagreements Bring Balance: When Silence Isn’t Peace

Skyline7 months ago012 mins

Why do people stay silent in disagreement? Many avoid disagreement due to empathy, anxiety, or flawed logic.

A guiding parent evokes the dual role of God in religion and family—both nurturing and directive.

The Dual Role of God in Family Relationships

David Dollahite7 months ago011 mins

How does a person’s view of God affect family life? Seeing God as loving and authoritative fostered stronger unity.

A peaceful father leads his child past hostile slogans, illustrating the steady purpose of modern masculinity.

The Voice of our Fathers: The Forgotten Power of Good Men

Kristine Stringham8 months ago012 mins

What can stop a culture of cads? Faithful fatherhood offers enduring guardrails and societal strength.