Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-208).

Part I: Cohabitation -- What is a cohabiting couple? -- How many cohabiting couples are there? -- Why are couples cohabiting? -- The consequences of cohabiting : the conventional wisdom -- The consequences of cohabiting : the hard realities -- What does the Bible say about cohabitation? -- Part II: Marriage -- Marriage as a covenant in the Bible -- The marriage covenant in Christian history -- Part III: Application -- Christians, churches, and cohabiting couples -- Pastoral counseling with cohabiting couples : two key principles -- Pastoral counseling with cohabiting couples : specific guidelines -- Pastoral counseling with couples who have cohabited.