Gary Chapman Books | Five Love Languages

Gary Chapman

About Gary Chapman

Gary Chapman is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Wheaton College and Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in anthropology from Wake Forest University. Gary Chapman also received Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Gary Chapman is also the senior associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Gary Chapman joined the staff in 1971 and shares the responsibilities of teaching and family care. Dr. Gary Chapman regularly speaks during the Sunday morning worship services. Gary Chapman is an intellectual Bible teacher who uses a singular wit and dry humor in his teaching style.

Gary Chapman is perhaps best known for his concept of "love languages," which posits that every person feels most loved when love is expressed through one of five modes: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, or physical touch. Gary Chapman argues that while each of these modes is enjoyed to some degree by all people, a person will usually prioritize one mode over the others and will not feel as loved if the love is not expressed in that "language."

The first of many books promoting this concept was The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, published in 1992. The book has sold over 3 million copies in English — having been translated into 33 other languages[1] — and the 1996 edition consistently ranks in the top 100 sellers on Amazon.com, ranking in the top 50 as of February, 2007. Since then, Gary Chapman has gone on to apply the concept in additional books focusing on children, singles, men, and teenagers, and the topics of God and apology.