A radical theological reappraisal of the church's position on cohabitation before marriage. Most adults in Europe and North America now believe it is wiser to cohabit before marriage. Yet the church teaches, or is perceived to teach, that marriage begins with a ceremony in church and that sexual intercourse or cohabitation before that point constitutes transgression. Duncan Dormor offers a radical theological reappraisal of the church's position, and suggests practical proposals for a new approach to living together in preparation for marriage. His positive re-evaluation of the contemporary practice of cohabitation is supported by arguments from scripture, history, psychology and sociology. This is a well-informed, lively and thought-provoking contribution to a hotly-contested area of debate in the churches.