Justin Bieber revealed he has turned to an incredibly conservative Christian self-help book for relationship guidance in the wake of his tearful public exchange with fiancee Hailey Baldwin.
The 24-year-old Canadian pop star, who was pictured crying while comforting an equally-emotional Hailey, 21, earlier this week, was seen carrying the religious book about marriage while out and about in New York on Wednesday.
Justin seemed to credit the book with helping him to overcome ‘bad days’ as he spoke to photographers outside of Hailey’s Brooklyn apartment building – however it is unclear whether he is following all of the advice in the tome, which also tells men and women to abstain from sex before marriage, suggests that wives should submit to their husbands, and depicts the Bible’s view of marriage as being monogamous and heterosexual.
‘Good days and bad days’: Justin Bieber is consulting a self-help book about marriage after his emotional scenes with fiancee Hailey Baldwin on Tuesday
Happier mood: The 24-year-old pop icon told TMZ as he left Hailey’s apartment building, ‘It’s not real if it doesn’t have any bad days’
Justin did seem to suggest that he is leaning on the book heavily for guidance as he and Hailey navigate their relationship ahead of marriage, holding it up and showing it to photographers and fans when they asked about how he and his fiancee are doing after their emotional display on Tuesday.
‘You got good days and you got bad days,’ the pop icon told TMZ as he left Hailey’s apartment building and was asked how was he was doing.
The Sorry hitmaker then waved the book in front of a photographer, saying, ‘This’, after being questioned about why he and Hailey and been so upset.
‘It’s not real if it doesn’t have any bad days,’ he added, suggesting that this was advice he had in fact gleaned from the tome in his hands.
It appears Justin was in a much more jovial mood than he had been earlier in the week, when he and Hailey were pictured sobbing while on a day out in New York City.
The duo sparked feverish speculation online after the model was seen comforting her fiance as he openly wept while they were out on a bike ride, before both Hailey and Justin broke down during an emotional exchange in a cafe.
However, by Wednesday evening, Justin was back on top form – even showing off his ‘floss’ dance skills for the photographers and waiting fans, all the while with his trusty self-help book in-hand.
The book Justin was carrying around with him is by Presbyterian pastor Timothy Keller, with input from his wife Kathy, and is titled The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God.
Smiling: Justin appeared to be in a much better mood as he was filmed dancing in the hallway of Hailey’s apartment building before skipping down the steps
Guidance: Justin was happy to show off the book to his fans waiting photographers
Friendly: Justin happily chatted to fans and posed for pictures before heading out
The Meaning of Marriage: Inside Justin Bieber’s self-help book
The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God is an incredibly conservative Christian guide to marriage written by Presbyterian pastor Timothy Keller and first published in 2011.
The book, which Justin seemed to suggest he is using to help him strengthen his relationship with Hailey Baldwin, has received rave reviews on Amazon – despite its rather controversial subject matter.
In addition to discussing the relationship between a couple, and the importance of their bond with God, Keller’s book, which currently boasts a 4.8 star rating on the site, and has more than 1,000 five-star reviews, also suggests that wives must submit to their husbands, and advises men and women to abstain from sex before marriage.
Through his writing, he aims to show everyone – ‘Christians, skeptics, singles, lontime married couples, and those about to be engaged’ – what the Bible’s view of marriage really is which, according to Keller, is monogamous and heterosexual.
‘It needs to be said … that this Christian vision for marriage is not something that can be realized by two people of the same sex,’ the book explains.
‘That is the unanimous view of the Biblical authors, and therefore that is the view that we assume throughout the rest of this book, even though we don’t directly address the subject of homosexuality.’
The New York Times bestselling author also focuses on why marriage is seen as more of a temporary union in modern society, highlighting the fact that it is a lifelong commitment in God’s eyes, and therefore should still be considered as such by all those who enter into a religious union.
‘Modern culture would have you believe that everyone has a soul mate; that romance is the most important part of a successful marriage; that your spouse is there to help you realize your potential; that marriage does not mean forever, but merely for now; and that starting over after a divorce is the best solution to seemingly intractable marriage issues,’ the Amazon description reads, before adding: ‘But these modern-day assumptions are wrong.
According to its description, the book, which is based on an ‘acclaimed’ series of sermons by Keller, ‘offers instruction on how to have a successful marriage, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to know God and love more deeply in this life’.
Keller, who also credits Kathy, his wife of 44 years, with sharing her ‘insights’ in the book, is a pastor and theologian who founded the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and 1989, and has since authored several books on the subject of religion.
In the self-help guide, which is based on a series of sermons, Keller discusses the vision of what marriage should be ‘according to the Bible’ and is aimed at ‘Christians, skeptics, singles, longtime married couples, and those about to be engaged’.
Among other suggestions on how a couple can strengthen their bond, both before and during a marriage, the book offers more conservative pieces of advice drawn straight from the bible, including the idea that women should submit to their husbands, and warns that sex before marriage must be avoided.
The book also discusses the idea of same-sex marriages, claiming that only heterosexual unions are recognized by God as far as the Bible is concerned.
‘It needs to be said … that this Christian vision for marriage is not something that can be realized by two people of the same sex,’ the book explains.
‘That is the unanimous view of the Biblical authors, and therefore that is the view that we assume throughout the rest of this book, even though we don’t directly address the subject of homosexuality.’
Justin and Hailey are both known to be religious, and were pictured in June attending a church conference in Miami together, shortly before announcing their engagement.
Popstar Justin is also known to be a dedicated member of the congregation of Hillsong, a global Pentecostal ‘megachurch’ that was founded in Australia and has since set up locations across the US, including in Los Angeles.
Justin is said to have a very close personal relationship with Carl Lentz, the senior pastor of the church’s New York chapter.
And in 2017, the singer made the decision to cancel a series of concert dates in his Purpose Tour, with sources claiming at the time that he had experienced a ‘spiritual awakening’ that made him reflect more deeply on ‘his own view on the path in life he should be taking’.
Justin was spotted jumping into a waiting SUV with the book which discusses the vision of what marriage should be ‘according to the Bible’
Lots to talk about: The couple were seen together just minutes before the Canadian crooner emerged with the book
However this is the first time that Justin has been associated with Keller, who founded his own church – the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City – back in 1989.
Since then, Keller has authored several books on the subject of religion, including The Meaning of Marriage.
According to its description, the book – which has rave reviews and a 4.8 star rating on Amazon – ‘offers instruction on how to have a successful marriage’ amid a modern culture ‘which has it wrong’.
Keller sets out to explain why marriage has lost its meaning and become so temporary in today’s society.
The book summary reads: ‘Modern culture would have you believe that everyone has a soul mate; that romance is the most important part of a successful marriage; that your spouse is there to help you realize your potential; that marriage does not mean forever, but merely for now; and that starting over after a divorce is the best solution to seemingly intractable marriage issues. But these modern-day assumptions are wrong.
‘Timothy Keller, with insights from Kathy, his wife of thirty-seven years, shows marriage to be a glorious relationship that is also misunderstood and mysterious.
Heartache: Both Justin and Hailey were pictured sobbing in New York on Tuesday, first while out on a bike ride
Devastated: Hailey was then seen breaking down while the pair sat in a cafe, before Justin also began crying
Solo outing: Hailey was spotted out on Thursday showing off her pins in a white mini dress and sneakers
‘The Meaning of Marriage offers instruction on how to have a successful marriage, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to know God and love more deeply in this life.’
Justin is turning to the self-help book after the couple were seen consoling each other during a bike ride, and then later in a cafe in New York on Tuesday.
The pair were openly crying wiping tears from their own and even each others eyes.
But Justin appeared to be in a much better mood as he was filmed dancing in the hallway of Hailey’s apartment building before skipping down the steps and doing another dance as he exited the building on Wednesday night.
The Baby hitmaker made time to ask his waiting fans if they were having a good night and stopped to chat to some before posing for pictures with them.
Justin and Hailey – who dated briefly in 2016 – got engaged in July after a whirlwind romance which has seen them appear almost inseparable since reuniting in June.
The couple are devout Christians and have been going to church together since rekindling their romance.