David and Bathsheba. Toxic masculinity. Is Help Helpful?

How does the story of David, Bathsheba, Nathan, Amnon and Absalom apply to women’s experience of domestic and sexual violence today?

In this video, Rev Dr Helen Paynter talks about this story, illustrating her talk with testimonies from survivors and artworks from various eras. Helen is the Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, Bristol, UK.

Will Moore then speaks about toxic masculinity (1:11:30). Will is an author and Anglican Ordinand.

Lastly, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Irish Poet and Theologian, raises the question “Is help helpful?” (1:32:10)

The video is produced by the Corrymeela Community in Northern Ireland.


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3 thoughts on “David and Bathsheba. Toxic masculinity. Is Help Helpful?”

  1. Barb,

    In your post, you wrote:

    How does the story of David, Bathsheba, Nathan, Amnon and Absalom apply to women’s experience of domestic and sexual violence today?

    ….and you included a video and some information on who was speaking in the video.

    I think(?) I mentioned in an earlier comment on the blog that I’m currently experiencing what I call “brain fry” (omitting all details for my safety and protection). What I call “brain fry” is definitely not the same as burn out….been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

    I’ll try to comment more on your post. I’m still trying to figure out ways I might be able to listen to the video since I (currently) can’t watch it…I’ll likely miss some of it — you mention in your post that Rev Dr Helen Paynter illustrates some things with artwork. I might be able to “do” part of the video in pieces — listening, or maybe using Closed Captioning (if it’s available).

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      1. Barb,

        You wrote (22nd August 2025):

        I often listen to YouTube videos without watching them. I tend to be more disturbed by moving visual images than by the human voice.

        Thank you for replying. 😊 I’ve done that before — YouTube, video clips, etc. Most of the time, I’ve tried to watch….partially because the person or people are holding things up, pointing at things like PowerPoint, etc., and partially because then I can watch the person or people….their facial expressions, body language, etc. I could probably listen to the video, I’d just have to do it in smaller pieces. The only thing I can do is try. 😊 And, well, if that doesn’t work out, maybe Closed Captioning will have something. 😊

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