Missiology
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 49, No. 2 – Spring 2007
Managing Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
By Jeff VanGoethem. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2005. 208 pages. $12.99.
There has been a need in the evangelical community for a book on how to deal with the growing numbers of couples, both young and old, who are bypassing marriage and just living together. Jeff VanGoethem, a DMin graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and pastor of a growing church in Bloomington, Illinois, has researched and written an insightful and instructive piece to give guidelines for counseling such couples from a biblical and evangelical perspective.
The style of his presentation develops a reasoned basis for, not only cautioning couples not to live together before marriage, but to help guide couples who are already doing so to refrain from that form of immoral living and to move toward a more God-pleasing and biblically based marriage. The challenge of moving couples to act in this moral manner recognizes that many may not be willing to do so. Nevertheless, the author challenges pastors to seriously consider the need of the couples they marry for having a godly foundation for a lasting marriage, as well as seeking to create a moral climate in their churches by teaching against the practice of living together and promoting a consistently biblical view of marriage in their churches.
The first five chapters deal with a convincing amount of research that demonstrates why living together frequently results in broken and immoral relationships, as well as being contrary to a Christian lifestyle. Chapters 6 through 8 deal with perspectives from Scripture and church history for lessons against the practice of living together as well as those in favor of Christian marriage. The last four chapters give careful guidance for counseling with couples who are living together before marriage or are considering doing so. In all, it is a much needed piece of sane and sanctifying advice for wise Christian counselors, pastors, and church leaders, especially those who work with young adults.
