A Christian Response To Family Violence

The very concept is at best difficult for most believers to wrap their minds around. The family designed by God, is to be a place of safety and love... not hurt and shame. Yet we are painfully aware that spousal abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect does happen in Christian homes. We, the church, need to know how to respond in care, compassion, and justice. In this small but packed book, Dr. Stan DeKoven, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and International educator presents the key principles and concerns to be addressed by professional and lay leader alike, based upon his textbook, "Family Violence: Patterns of Destruction." This book will help victims, when the paraprofessional and clergy minister with grace when violence occurs in the family. Dr. Stan DeKoven is the Founder and President of Vision International University. After many years as a successful Christian family counselor, he expanded the work of Dr. Ken Chant into a dynamic university program with colleges in over 80 nations around the world. Dr. DeKoven is the author of more than 35 books and numerous study guides in counseling, leadership and practical theology.

Learn the fundamental distinctions with this thoughtful study of Christ-ordained marriage! This unique volume reconciles a Biblical interpretation of marriage with the reality of domestic violence. Designed to raise awareness of abuse issues within the born-again community, Family Abuse and the Bible: The Scriptural Perspective works to promote the genuine sanctity of marriage and headship of the husband by examining the ways this God-given position can be subverted by Satan. It combines close Biblical exegesis with psychological insight into the effects of verbal, sexual, physical, and spiritual abuse. Family Abuse and the Bible offers new hope to conservative Christian women in abusive relationships. It demonstrates that abuse is not the will of God and that submission to violence is actually giving in to demonic forces. The tools in this book can ultimately free them from the horror of an abuse they may feel is ordained by God, while leaving them with an intact source of strength in their faith. Secular therapists and counselors will find Family Abuse and the Bible an essential resource that can help them remain sensitive to the needs of abused Christian women. This book explains conservative Christian beliefs about marriage, while providing powerful Biblical justifications that will reach Christian clients when secular ideas fail. Family Abuse and the Bible offers a clear-sighted Scriptural interpretation of domestic violence issues, including: the link between drugs and demonic possession the ways abusers twist the Scriptures to justify their ungodly actions the cycle of violence the role of repentance and forgiveness the difference between Biblical headship and abuse This book is an essential tool for pastors, Christian counselors, and family therapists who work with Christian clients and also for husbands and wives who want the Lord’s will for their marriage.

Family counselor and Mennonite pastoral minister Soto Albrecht examines the alarming presence of family violence today, focusing on North and Latin America. She analyses the nature of violence and the many cultural, social and economic factors that lead to it, particularly the patriarchal structure that underlies families.

Domestic abuse is a horror. It lurks beneath the surface of our collective existence, sometimes raising its ugly head where least expected-in the church or within families of faith. Are we-individually or collectively-ready to respond? What can, or should, congregations and their pastoral leaders do? And, as we survey the Christian landscape across the United States and Canada, are we as the community of faith stepping up to the challenge presented by violence in the family? There is no easy answer to the problems that surface when abuse impacts the Christian family. But each of the authors contributing to this volume believes fervently that it is imperative that followers of Jesus and their spiritual shepherds respond to the cries for help. To respond well necessitates both knowledge and a willingness to act. This book is here to help. It represents a collective effort to bring all of us a step farther in our journey of walking with Christ over a sea of troubled waters. None of us know as much as we should, but all of us can learn from one another. Throughout the collection we provide an opportunity to examine a diversity of perspectives, with the hope that each will in some way advance our understanding of the complexity of domestic violence issues in our midst-within our churches and the communities where our churches minister.

It is not easy for Christian women experiencing domestic abuse to find well informed and safe spiritual care. However, in this book these women, along with pastors, counsellors, theology students, and friends will find guidance grounded in scripture. Forgiveness, marriage as a covenant, headship, and submission are explored. Drawing from women's stories, researchers, and biblical scholars this book offers a compassionate response to Christian women living with and recovering from domestic violence.

Learn the fundamental distinctions with this thoughtful study of Christ-ordained marriage! This unique volume reconciles a Biblical interpretation of marriage with the reality of domestic violence. Designed to raise awareness of abuse issues within the born-again community, Family Abuse and the Bible: The Scriptural Perspective works to promote the genuine sanctity of marriage and headship of the husband by examining the ways this God-given position can be subverted by Satan. It combines close Biblical exegesis with psychological insight into the effects of verbal, sexual, physical, and spiritual abuse. Family Abuse and the Bible offers new hope to conservative Christian women in abusive relationships. It demonstrates that abuse is not the will of God and that submission to violence is actually giving in to demonic forces. The tools in this book can ultimately free them from the horror of an abuse they may feel is ordained by God, while leaving them with an intact source of strength in their faith. Secular therapists and counselors will find Family Abuse and the Bible an essential resource that can help them remain sensitive to the needs of abused Christian women. This book explains conservative Christian beliefs about marriage, while providing powerful Biblical justifications that will reach Christian clients when secular ideas fail. Family Abuse and the Bible offers a clear-sighted Scriptural interpretation of domestic violence issues, including: the link between drugs and demonic possession the ways abusers twist the Scriptures to justify their ungodly actions the cycle of violence the role of repentance and forgiveness the difference between Biblical headship and abuse This book is an essential tool for pastors, Christian counselors, and family therapists who work with Christian clients and also for husbands and wives who want the Lord’s will for their marriage.

As the wave of revelations and open discussion of family violence rolls over churches, it seems vital to offer a tool to aid congregations in responding. With insight and compassion, Melissa A. Miller guides readers through such issues as the survivor's healing, power dynamics in the family, congregational responses to survivors and offenders, and faith questions.

Nason-Clark's sociological research reveals how churches and secular organizations have responded - sometimes with assistance, sometimes not - to victims of violence in their midst and how their response could be more effective. By exploring the relationship between violence and Christians' response to it from various perspectives - those of victim, clergy, congregation - this book ultimately encourages a pastoral assistance that reduces violence in the world and helps victims find the inner strength to leave their gardens.