Apologetics Index » spiritual abuse

Recognizing Con Artists, Tyrants, and Spiritual Abusers in Leadership

apologeticsindex.org — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:47:02 +0000

Many Christians unwittingly get caught up in abusive churches -- or relationships -- in which they are subjected to spiritual abuse.

Stephen Martin's book The Heresy of Mind Control helps Christians recognize the warning signs that a group and its leader are dangerous.

Read the full article: Recognizing Con Artists, Tyrants, and Spiritual Abusers in Leadership at Apologetics Index

Appendix: Issues in Recovery

apologeticsindex.org — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:35:20 +0000

Many themes and issues have emerged from these stories of people recovering from churches that abuse. These are often more implicit than explicit.

Thinking through these issues in the following terms may be helpful to victims of abuse and those who seek to counsel them.

Read the full article: Appendix: Issues in Recovery at Apologetics Index

Epilogue: Can Churches Change?

apologeticsindex.org — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:22:25 +0000

The testimony of Recovering From Churches That Abuse is that battered believers can recover. But is rehabilitation possible for churches that abuse? Can a spiritually abusive system be changed? The answer is yes, even though in reality many churches do not experience significant change.

But some do answer these calls, and as evidence Dr. Ronald Enroth cites two groups described in Churches That Abuse.

Read the full article: Epilogue: Can Churches Change? at Apologetics Index

Chapter 8: Grace Is the Best Thing in the World

apologeticsindex.org — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:03:10 +0000

The message of this book is that "mending" is possible! There is hope. You can trust again.

However, it is important to understand that although there are some common aspects to the process of recovery and healing, the route is different and can be more tortuous for some than for others according to their personalities and the special problems they encountered in the church.

Read the full article: Chapter 8: Grace Is the Best Thing in the World at Apologetics Index

Chapter 7: God Took Time to Visit His Lost Child

apologeticsindex.org — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:40:19 +0000

"When a member leaves an abusive church or is forced to leave, he walks out with virtually nothing. He leaves a part of himself behind; the years he has invested are gone. You need to deal with loss and bereavement, confusion and anger, and finally, acceptance of. that loss.

Many fail to accept it and move on. They need to understand that their significance is not in what they had, but it is in their relationship with Christ. They have lost a few years, but they have not lost their soul."

Read the full article: Chapter 7: God Took Time to Visit His Lost Child at Apologetics Index

Chapter 6: A Broken Bone That Heals Is Stronger …

apologeticsindex.org — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:07:13 +0000

Breaking away from an abusive religious group is a process that usually hinges on a turning point, a decisive event that compels a member to move from doubt to action.

Dr. Ebaugh has identified four major stages in the role-exit process, regardless of what that role is.

Read the full article: Chapter 6: A Broken Bone That Heals Is Stronger … at Apologetics Index

Chapter 5: "Next Christmas, We'll Get a Tree"

apologeticsindex.org — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:44:53 +0000

Recovering From Churches That Abuse: "The most important thing in my recovery has been the need to get the proper balance between the heart and the head. In the Christian life, the mind is not something to be subjected to the heart.

It is false to say you cannot know or understand the Word of God unless you have the proper inner attitude, or unless you surrender and submit, and that only when you get to that place will God break through and show you the way."

Read the full article: Chapter 5: "Next Christmas, We'll Get a Tree" at Apologetics Index

Chapter 4: Grace to People Who Know They Need It

apologeticsindex.org — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:39:27 +0000

Many of the people Ron Enroth interviewed for his books, Churches That Abuse and Recovering From Churches That Abuse were undecided whether to leave an abusive situation or stay in the hope that their presence might make a difference.

But by remaining in an unhealthy environment for whatever reason people help perpetuate a system they have experienced as destrucive. Those who are contemplating leaving an abusive situation need to make a complete break and flee.

Read the full article: Chapter 4: Grace to People Who Know They Need It at Apologetics Index

Updated: Abusive Churches / Spiritual Abuse

apologeticsindex.org — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:04:42 +0000

Our collection of research resources on abusive churches and spiritual abuse is one of the most-visited pages at Apologetics Index. We have now updated the links, cleaned up the page and increased the font-size.

Plus, in this entry we quote Ken Blue's observations about why otherwise sensible and intelligent people submit to spiritual abuse.

Read the full article: Updated: Abusive Churches / Spiritual Abuse at Apologetics Index

Chapter 3: I’d Like to Really Live, Not Just Survive

apologeticsindex.org — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:43:42 +0000

Colleen's story will help us to understand two concomitants to spiritual abuse.

First, like many members of abusive churches, Colleen had a personal history that predisposed her toward victimization.

Second, her experience demonstrates the essential need for help from competent counseling and caring Christians in the process of recovery.

Read the full article: Chapter 3: I’d Like to Really Live, Not Just Survive at Apologetics Index

Chapter 2: Is There Light At the End of the Tunnel?

apologeticsindex.org — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:28:23 +0000

The problem of not being understood is common among victims of spiritual abuse. As a result, the victims feel guilty, misunderstood, and even rejected.

Christians who want to be helpful to those who have come out of abusive experiences must be sensitive, nonjudgmental, and accepting-even if they find it difficult to understand how something so bizarre could happen to another Christian.

Read the full article: Chapter 2: Is There Light At the End of the Tunnel? at Apologetics Index

Chapter 1: Searching for Freedom

apologeticsindex.org — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:16:24 +0000

What aspects of authoritarian churches are hurtful? What happens to members when they decide to leave or are dismissed? Are they likely to end up in another abusive situation, or are they able to find a "normal" church? What about those who find it impossible to return to church, any church? Is it possible to break the cycle of spiritual abuse? Can people find true freedom in Christ after years of bondage in performance-based lifestyles?

These are some of the questions addresses in Chapter One of his book, Recovering From Churches That Abuse.

Read the full article: Chapter 1: Searching for Freedom at Apologetics Index

Recovering From Churches That Abuse - Preface & Acknowledgments

apologeticsindex.org — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:50:09 +0000

Recovering From Churches That Abuse highlights the stories of people who have experienced various levels of spiritual abuse and have achieved varying levels of recovery.

Read the full article: Recovering From Churches That Abuse - Preface & Acknowledgments at Apologetics Index

Recovering From Churches That Abuse -- Contents

apologeticsindex.org — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:40:16 +0000

Chapter listing for Recovering From Churches That Abuse, by Dr. Ronald Enroth

Read the full article: Recovering From Churches That Abuse -- Contents at Apologetics Index

Recovering From Churches That Abuse -- Notice & Disclaimer

apologeticsindex.org — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:30:27 +0000

The great value of this book lies in the fact that it a) will help victims of spiritual abuse obtain spiritual and emotional healing, and b) provides valuable information to counselors, pastors, and others who are helping these people.

Read the full article: Recovering From Churches That Abuse -- Notice & Disclaimer at Apologetics Index