Living Together

The old children's rhyme "first comes love, then comes marriage" means little to the over 4 million couples in America who now choose to live together prior to marriage. For them, first comes love, then comes cohabiting, then comes marriage . . . maybe. Although living together before marriage is considered socially acceptable and the "smart" thing to do, thirty years of modern social research indicate that cohabitation lays a poor foundation for marriage or for any kind of long-term relationship--a foundation weakened by distrust, misunderstanding, lack of respect, and a lesser degree of commitment. In this much-needed book, experienced pastor and counselor Jeff VanGoethem provides solid help for both the pastoral and professional counselor. He gives insights into the mindset of the modern cohabiting couple, reinforces the biblical view of marriage as a sacred covenant, and offers practical applications for counseling situations. "Pastors and counselors need this book. It not only provides a biblical perspective, but it also brings the best social research to bear on this important subject." --Kerby Anderson National Director, Probe Ministries International Jeff VanGoethem (D.Min., Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary) is the senior pastor of East White Oak Bible Church in Bloomington, Ill. He is also adjunct instructor at Lincoln College in Normal, Ill.