Where abuse is involved, the objective should be to identify the truth and address it, not to force a friendship or equalize blame between a predator and his prey.
"Reformulating the Christian Marriage Counseling Model Where Abuse Is Involved" is an easy-to-read, insightful resource that takes an in-depth look at the common Christian counseling model, identifies its weaknesses where abuse is involved, and presents a new model based upon sound biblical truth and common sense.
The book provides vital insight into the foundational "God hates divorce" doctrine which fuels many counselors' primary objective of saving the marriage at all costs. What many counselors fail to recognize is that this doctrine and others (which I address) empower abusers and keep their victims in bondage, fearful of being abandoned by God.
It is hard to imagine that many victims have been shamed, shunned and even excommunicated from their churches for removing themselves and their children from toxic, ungodly homes. Something is terribly wrong with this picture, and it's time to address the manner in which Christian counselors and believers as a whole respond to abuse and its victims within the body of Christ.
This book is ideal for victims seeking direction as to what they may want to look for in a counselor and the counseling process. It is also a valuable resource for pastors, church leaders and counselors and would similarly be suitable for faculty and students at Christian colleges and seminaries.
We must be willing to identify the wolves among us and rise in defense of those who are being victimized in their own homes. In acknowledging the sanctity of marriage, the truth is that a marriage's substance is of far more importance than its status.
"Reformulating the Christian Marriage Counseling Model Where Abuse Is Involved" is available as a paperback for $14.95 and as a Kindle book for $4.99.
After surviving a 20-year marriage to a verbal and emotional abuser along with my four children, looking back to see where we had been was debilitating.
Why had no one ever told me that what we were living in was contrary to God’s design for marriage? And why did God set me free if I was sinning by leaving?
In my pursuit of truth, the Spirit of God – and other wise individuals God has put in my path – have revealed to me the simple, balanced, beautiful truth that is right before our eyes.
It is my prayer that the fullness of biblical truth sets the stage for a broad, long-overdue change in the way in which abuse is identified and addressed within the body of Christ.
