Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual Abuse
by David Cox

See Related Posts below for some books on Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual abuse is a concept which has been around from time in memorial, but has only been sharply focused on in recent years (most accutely in the 50s-80s in the United States with the great proliferation of Christian cults and sects). The idea before this was basically limited to specific abuse in a specific group by “bad” ministers, such as clergy abuse of minors or women in Roman Catholicism. With the flourishing of Christian cults in the 50s and following, these cults were identified as “abusive” and their tactics were closely analyzed and revealed (so as to protect the innocent).

Later, the same concept was applied in general to many “mainline” churches that used the same tactics to control and spoil their members. Today the concept is basically used of any church, cult or mainline, which manipulates its members in “unacceptable” ways or methods, or for “unacceptable” ends.

I also have a number of excellent tracts (see www.coxtracts.com) that should help you in discerning wolves in sheep’s clothing, and in understanding God’s rules on this mess so often found in our churches.

General Articles on Spiritual Abuse

(all of these are by David Cox)
Identifying Cults Leadership
7 Signs of abusive Leaders
Biblical Definition of Spiritual Abuse
The difference between Abuse and mistakes – coming
Spiritual Abuse and Why Are Toxic Leaders Allowed to Remain in Power So Long? – coming

This index page is for articles related to Spiritual Abuse. Note that there is a fine line to no difference at all between churches (“good churches”) that are abusive and an all out cult.

Articles on Spiritual Abuse

• FP: Fruit of a False Prophet Disobedience Part 8
• FP: False Prophet bad fruit Part 2 no Dictators allowed
• FP: Catching the False Prophet with his hand in the Cookie Jar
• Fischer, J. – 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee
• Fehlauer, M. – Exposing Spiritual Abuse
• False Prophets and Teachers Overview (updated 1/28/2022)
• False Prophet bad fruit Part 1
• Explanation of Anglicanism
• Errors of Calvinism
• Enroth, R. – Recovering from Churches that Abuse

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Studies on Pastoral Abuse

Spiritual Abuse Reference Works

The posts here are recommended reading of these books on Spiritual Abuse

Fehlauer, M. – Exposing Spiritual Abuse
Friesen, G. – Decision Making and the Will of God
VanVonderen-Ryan – Soul Repair
Chrnalogar, M.A. – Twisted Scriptures
Ferguson, S. – Discovering God’s Will
VanVonderen, J. – Families where Grace is in Place
Lloyd-Jones, M. – Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cure
Hession – We would see Jesus
Enroth, R. – Recovering from Churches that Abuse
Cloud-Townsend – Boundaries
Bussell, H. – By Hook or By Crook
Tucker, R.A. – Another Gospel
Martin, P.R. – Cult Proofing your Kids
Arterburn, S. – Faith that Hurts, Faith that Heals
Cloud-Townsend – Safe People
Johnson-VanVonderen – Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
Burks, R. – Damaged Disciples