Processing Why Josh Harris Kissed Dating, His Wife, and Jesus Good-Bye

The oldest of seven children from a prominent evangelical Christian homeschooling family, Josh Harris became the face of the “purity culture” movement after writing the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye in 1997 when he was 22 years old. In the book, Harris advocated for “courtship”—entering into a relationship with the intention of marriage—rather than date-and-break up scenario that often includes pre-marital sex. The book sold 1.2 million copies.

Harris married in 1998, fathered three children, authored several more books, led a singles conference, and became the pastor of Covenant Life Church, the Maryland church founded by well-known pastor CJ Mahaney of Sovereign Grace Ministries...