How can we help survivors of spiritual abuse? I believe it all starts with definitions. We can only help if we understand what spiritual abuse is. Without understanding, we don’t see clearly, we misdiagnose and we misprescribe. I recently came across a perspective on abuse from Christian therapist
What a glorious truth for those of us who have experienced abuse, or taken action to stop abusers and suffered like the blind man did here... persecution by those who won't face reality and exercise their delegated responsibilty to stop evil and enforce good.
in a medical school, in a university, no one helped the women abused by a sick serial predator-except a handful of faculty; but the faculty as a whole were 'apathetic'-doing and saying NOTHING...
even my church didn't care about us-any of us...
But JESUS cares...
Jesus pursues us-what a wonderful hope to see in this passage... never seen this before. it is powerful. it is the TRUE gospel...
Hi Aaron! I’m a new subscriber and am so happy to have found your writing. I agree that definitions are key to understanding. My husband served for over a decade as a pastor and we have seen and experienced repeatedly in different contexts, the evil of spiritual abuse. It’s a pervasive issue of our day and so many pastors and “leaders” have little understanding of what it is, let alone how to recognize it in their own circles, ministries and/or lives. To find your Substack has been an encouragement to me.
It has been/is so healing for us to see how God responds in the Bible to shepherds and leaders that oppress, abuse and feed on the sheep. May God bless you with eyes of faith and clarity of mind as you study, minister and write. I look forward to reading your future book one day!
Hi Julie, thanks so much for reading and for your encouragement. I’m sorry to hear you know these realities first hand, but glad to know you also believe that God sees, knows, and speaks to the problem of spiritual abuse. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment, your feedback means a great deal to me!
What a glorious truth for those of us who have experienced abuse, or taken action to stop abusers and suffered like the blind man did here... persecution by those who won't face reality and exercise their delegated responsibilty to stop evil and enforce good.
in a medical school, in a university, no one helped the women abused by a sick serial predator-except a handful of faculty; but the faculty as a whole were 'apathetic'-doing and saying NOTHING...
even my church didn't care about us-any of us...
But JESUS cares...
Jesus pursues us-what a wonderful hope to see in this passage... never seen this before. it is powerful. it is the TRUE gospel...
Hi Aaron! I’m a new subscriber and am so happy to have found your writing. I agree that definitions are key to understanding. My husband served for over a decade as a pastor and we have seen and experienced repeatedly in different contexts, the evil of spiritual abuse. It’s a pervasive issue of our day and so many pastors and “leaders” have little understanding of what it is, let alone how to recognize it in their own circles, ministries and/or lives. To find your Substack has been an encouragement to me.
It has been/is so healing for us to see how God responds in the Bible to shepherds and leaders that oppress, abuse and feed on the sheep. May God bless you with eyes of faith and clarity of mind as you study, minister and write. I look forward to reading your future book one day!
Hi Julie, thanks so much for reading and for your encouragement. I’m sorry to hear you know these realities first hand, but glad to know you also believe that God sees, knows, and speaks to the problem of spiritual abuse. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment, your feedback means a great deal to me!