Review: NO INNOCENT AFFAIR

NO INNOCENT AFFAIR: making right the wrong of adultery

Edward Mrkvicka with Kelly Helen Mrkvicka

2011

OK: Tate Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-61777-768-4

$15.99

Edward Mrkvicka is a lay minister and Christian counselor who passionately writes about marriage, family and other related issues from the Biblical perspective. No Innocent Affair is his latest contribution to his writings.

In the beginning, Ed Mrkvicka is very clear about his Biblical stance. He is aware through experience in his counseling on the issue of adultery that he makes many people uncomfortable with the truth. He makes no apology. He hopes that the truth will guide people to better behavior and a place in heaven.

The first section features a significant portion of those Biblical passages used later in the text as guideposts. Familiarity with what the Scripture says about marriage and adultery is primary for understanding the conclusions.

In subsequent sections the issue of adultery is systematically dissected and right principles applied. The conclusion is simple. Adultery is wrong. There is no other way to see it from either a personal or a Biblical stance. The numbers of victims of adultery grow with each encounter. Of course, those closest suffer the most damage: spouse, children, parents, siblings and close friends. Usually the only person who thinks adultery is okay is the adulterer.

So the author suggests that adulterers stop the adultery immediately. Take correct position, the Biblical position of no adultery and live life within the bonds of holy matrimony, as promised. Only after the death of a spouse is the other free to find someone else.

It’s on the adulterer to correct the relationships by humbly repairing the broken trust. Unrepentant adulterers usually demand forgiveness from their spouse and children, beseeching the victims to understand or forget about their breach of trust. Sometimes trust can be repaired quickly, sometimes slowly, sometimes not at all. The adulterer needs to live with the consequences of their actions, not justifying to or belittling those they have injured.

Biblically there is no way out of the promises made before God. If the marriage doesn’t work out, the only option is a celibate life.

In past eras, the blameless spouse would go live at a convent or monastery away from temptation until after the offending spouse had died. In today’s economic world, joining a religious order may still be a better option financially as well as spiritually.

The author cautions mainstream Christian churches who have modified their stances about divorce and second marriages. The Scripture provided to verify his stance as Biblical states that second marriages are also adultery. The only option for a Christian is celibacy.

Recommend: The best audience for this book is the spouse of the adulterer. Ed Mrkvicka provides the Biblical answers to the harmed spouse, suggests future behavior to remain a true Christian through adverse times. This book should be read by adulterers but it’s unlikely given that their behavior is condemned and the consequences they experience from bad behavior is deserved.