John MacArthur’s church Elder & Professor of Biblical Counseling assumes that all Elders will shepherd well

John Street is an Elder at John MacArthur's church and a professor of biblical counseling at The Master’s University and Seminary. In his sermon The Emotionally Abusive Marriage, he sets up a rigid dichotomy: Fearlessness = godliness. Protecting yourself = worldliness. (time mark 1:26:50) The effect God's grace has in our lives is that of… Continue reading John MacArthur’s church Elder & Professor of Biblical Counseling assumes that all Elders will shepherd well

Have you been told to keep your focus at the foot of the cross?

"Keep your focus at the foot of the cross" is often dished out by those who consider themselves Christians. It's a common mantra in Christianese. It's used by accredited Christian counselors, church leaders, pew warmers, tin-pot evangelists....you name it. The saying is easy to learn and repeat parrot fashion, like a mantra. Or like the… Continue reading Have you been told to keep your focus at the foot of the cross?

Are abusers blind? Are abusers deceived? What does the Bible say?

This is part 1 of a 7 part series on Spiritual Blindness and Deception. Are abusers spiritually blind? (Or psychologically blind, which is pretty much the same thing.) Are abusers deceived? If they are deceived, to what extent have they been deceived by others and to what extent have they deceived themselves? These questions about… Continue reading Are abusers blind? Are abusers deceived? What does the Bible say?

“We Are Not Your Chum” – another brilliant post by Julie Cleaveland

....God doesn’t use the hurting, the victim, the crushed, as bait. God doesn’t use the “trash fish” of society to reach a “trophy.” Jesus sees value and worth where others see none. God sees. God reaches. God searches. God stops. So you see, church leaders, we are not your chum. [...continue reading Julie Cleaveland's post… Continue reading “We Are Not Your Chum” – another brilliant post by Julie Cleaveland

Jay Adams taught counselors to side with male abusers and against female victims.

[June 7, 2022: There have been some changes made to this post. For more information, read the Editors’ notes at the bottom of the post. Editors.] A guest post by Valerie Jacobsen. Misogynistic bias is a real thing, and it is very obvious here. Painfully obvious. Jay Adams is TEACHING counselors to side with male… Continue reading Jay Adams taught counselors to side with male abusers and against female victims.

Abusers know no shame

[May 25, 2022: There have been some changes made to this post. For more information, read the Editors’ notes at the bottom of the post. Editors.] (Zephaniah 3:1-5) 1 Woe to the city that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressive city! 2 She has not obeyed; she has not accepted discipline. She has not trusted… Continue reading Abusers know no shame

Leslie Vernick – various responses that domestic abuse victims have to her work. (5th & final in series on SBC’s ChurchCares program)

Some victims of domestic abuse find Leslie Vernick's work helpful; others find it confusing and even dangerous. To illustrate the range of responses that victims have to Leslie's work, I will be quoting from their comments. Most of my quotes will be excerpts from victims' comments and I will give links to their original comments… Continue reading Leslie Vernick – various responses that domestic abuse victims have to her work. (5th & final in series on SBC’s ChurchCares program)