Spiritual Abuse

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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

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

     

     


    Why so many Crises Today? by Pastor David Cox is a post on how Satan uses today's crises (which are not real crises, but fake crises fabricated by Satan to deceive) to control and bring men under his dominion.
    Excerpts
    But Satan will now "have his reign" unhindered. How will he get almost all of earth's inhabitants to worship him? Through crises that supposedly there is no other way than Satan's way to "fix what is wrong". This analysis of what is a problem plus how to best fix that problem is the key to Satan's strategy. What we are seeing in our present generation is the preparation of this plan of Satan to take over the world...
    The idea of God "creating evil" (Isaiah 45:7) is that God creates adversity. Things which go astray from man's best plans. No man plans to have cancer, but God does send adversity man's life (for example, Job). The book of Job points out how God proposed to Satan to try Job with sickness. It was for God's glory, because God begins everything with "Job is just", so Job had no spiritual problem in himself that caused this sickness and crisis of every kind on Job. Just the opposite. Job was just. God declares to us this fact...See Why are there so many Crises Today?

    3 Responses to Spiritual Abuse

    1. Barb Orlowski, D.Min. says:
      February 28, 2012 at 7:44 pm

      Greetings David,

      Glad for your post about spiritual abuse. Thanks for joining with others to raise the awareness about spiritual abuse in the church today.

      You might be interested in my doctoral research. My book is entitled: ‘Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Dynamic Research on Finding a Place of Wholeness’ and is now available. The research findings from this study, along with biblical teaching, make it a welcome resource.

      I would be delighted if you could add my book to your recommended book list–many of these books are found in my bibliography.

      My book gives voice to those who have experienced spiritual abuse in their home church and how they recovered from this devastating experience. It gives insights into this complex and sensitive church ministry issue. This book considers the issue of church leaving. It is a resource for caring church leaders, instructors, denominational advisors, and church consultants.

      My book has been reviewed at Dallas Theological Seminary and is posted on their Book Blog: http://dtsbookcenter.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/498/

      Information about my book can be found on my website: http://www.churchexiters.com.

      We have also launched a new website around the issues of abuse: http://www.AbuseResourceNetwork.com.

      Regards,
      Barb Orlowski, D.Min.

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