An Old Practice Revived

Betrothal is making a comeback, Jillian Melchior writes in yesterday's Wall Street Journal.

Betrothal is spreading among fundamentalist Protestants, particularly homeschoolers. The process varies, making it hard to estimate how many couples use it. For some, betrothal closely resembles chaste courtship or dating. For others, it's more like an arranged marriage. But according to Jonathan Lindvall, the head of the ministry Bold Christian Living and an advocate of betrothal, the idea seems to be gaining popularity in Idaho, Illinois, Ohio and Texas, as well as more liberal hubs like Colorado and Minnesota, which have zealous Christian communities.