The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

Rating:
Summary: Read this book if your yoke is heavy
Review: The basic message of this book is simple but important: God does not weigh his children down with guilt, God does not work his children to death, God does not tell his children to submit to abusive family members. That's the dramatic stuff and this book is well worth reading if you need to hear this particular form of Good News.

The more subtle stuff involves mistaking the fruits of the Christian life for salvation. Another reader thought this was a simplistic feature of the book, but I think that (with the very best of intentions) many churches get conned by this subtle form of the anti-Gospel: if you don't go to all the church meetings, you're not a real Christian; if you don't work on all the committees, you're not a real Christian; if you don't speak in tongues, you're not a real Christian; etc., etc.

This book does not constitute a witch-hunt for "cults". The material is drawn from every-day situations, including the dramatic and almost incredible to the every-day sorts of situations we want to say "no" to and sometimes find difficult.

Rating:
Summary: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
Review: The book saved my life spiritually. Growing up in a legalistic church then being involved in a "charismaniac" church gave me many opportunities to witness spiritual abuse first hand. I have never had a book affect me like this one. I was set free and God's grace was revealed powerfully. Excellent tool for anyone in ministry!

Rating:
Summary: Marvoulous reading.
Review: This book describes how priest, pastors and evangelist can manipulate and force and brainwash people into doing practically anything! Anything, yes! People do get abused spiritually and I'd only hope that there'd be a law against it and the abusers could be tugged away from this planet until they learn for 10 years or as long as it takes that spirituallity is not something to fool around with. If I ever meet a spiritual abuser I will recommend he read this book and I can only hope he will sit back and wonder and gaze back and say sorry to all the victims he's left floating mentally and spiritually to be de-programmed by people who understand the abuse that DOES take place in many churches. Spiritual abuse is equal to other types of abuse and should be treated as such, legally as well as humanly!

Rating:
Summary: Free at Last!
Review: This book has literally been a tool in the Hand of God to set me free from the lies of satan, as exposed by this book. Jeff and David give a step by step breakdown of how and why we as Christians unsuspectingly sucumb to the tactics and control of those who are supposed to be there to protect and care for those referred to as sheep, in the very House of God. They systematically uncover the subtle methods and abuse of position through those who themselves are possibly unsuspecting perpetrators of evil.
Read this book and find out the truth according to God's Word that will set you free from the superimposed mindsets that have kept you bound. I have purchased many copies of this book to give to those who were as "stuck" as I was at one time. This book is a life ring to those sinking in despair of their failure to please "God." Find out what God says as explained by these two very estute men who have revelation insight into a very subtle power that equates to a spiritual form of abuse.

Rating:
Summary: Healing from Abusive Churches
Review: This book is a classic in the field of spiritual abuse. Anyone who has been abused in a church or religious setting should read this book. The authors go into the symptoms and causes of spiritual abuse. They also discuss how to heal from such experiences. If you have suffered from authoritarian abuse in a church or ministry, or if you are interested in learning about the subject, I highly recommend this book. Clergy and counselors would especially benefit from this book, as it would help them to identify this widespread problem, and to better assist those harmed by it.

Rating:
Summary: Find Grace with God, not coercive, authoritarian pharisees.
Review: This book is a psychological analysis of the coercive, authoritarian pastors who tell us we are not good enough, and who derive pleasure from it. The Chicago Reviewer(s?) call this book an attack on the church, but it quotes scripture and explains how "Spiritual Abuse" happens. The authors are careful to tell us that anyone can make mistakes and go too far, even pastors. When this behavior is consistent and makes people feel unloved and depressed over and over again, it becomes abuse. The occasional mistake is NOT abuse. This book helps us move out from other people who grant us feelings and esteem, and allows us to get those from within ourselves and from the Grace of God. I recommend it to all Christians.

Rating:
Summary: Subtle but not Subtle Enough
Review: This book is a worthwhile read if you think you might have been the victim of too heavyhanded an approach to church leadership. Or if you think anyone in spiritual authority over you might have misused their position.

However, the use of 'subtle' in the title led me to believe I was about to read a fairly detailed analysis of how theology, psychology and leadership styles can interact and create very unhealty types of clergy-layman relationships. Instead I found the analysis more on the level of a Sunday school lesson where the answer to every question is 'Jesus'. Except in this case, the answer to all the questions was 'God's grace'.

I am in no way suggesting that God's grace wouldn't be the main ingredient in helping people recover from spiritual abuse. What I am saying is that, as human beings we often need help in understanding how to apply that grace. And that's where in-depth analysis is necessary. A level of analysis sadly lacking in a book with a title 'The "Subtle" Power of Spiritual Abuse'.

Rating:
Summary: Handle with care: May be dangerous.
Review: This book is written from a very persuasive standpoint. The book ends with the assumption that, by now, you must realize you've been abused and gives you two choices: flight or fight.

One sign of "abuse" is: "You may have a hard time with trust". There are many general "symptoms" So the psychology of this book is broad enough to make everyone a "victim". It is also broad enough to make anyone an "abuser".

I had many problems with this book. In one case, the author removed all "external manipulations" and watched some of his church "move joyfully into sin". He quickly adds that it was "painful to watch". (page 148) That sounds abusive to me! If you took all restraints of your children and watched them joyfully wander into the busy highway, you would be considered a cruel parent, and probably tried for murder. Oh, but it hurt so bad to watch! What about those who now bear the scars of sin?

As I said before, the book is persuasive, not expository. It persuades you into believing that you were somehow, somewhere "spiritually abused". It contains some truth, but much more psychology and liberal interpretations of Scripture. The examples in the book are good examples of "spiritual abuse". And if all the examples are true (only one side is given), I would be suspect of any church. But he examples given are largely the exception and not the normal. Not every church with rules is abusive or riddled with scandals and pastoral "wolves". We should submit to Godly leadership. The Apostle Paul said "Follow me as I follow Christ".

So be aware of potential dangers in this book, and don't let psychology replace the simplicity found in Christ.

Rating:
Summary: We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore!
Review: This book lets people know that though authoritarianism and coercion may be disguised as "spirituality," it's just a lie, plain and simple. If you're fearful and burdened in your church or Christian relationships, take heart - this book can help you find your freedom in Christ. Many people down through the ages have justified terrible atrocities in the name of Christ - this authoritarianism and coercion in the church is only one example. It's important that anyone trapped in such a situation find the strength to walk away from it, and this book can help! Remember, controlling and abusive people in the church DO NOT hold your salvation in their hands -that privilege is reserved for God alone. Unfortunately, it seems that so many people in the church today are consumed by their own pride and lust for power. I, too, was a member of an authoritarian religious group - yes, "WAS." :-))) I got free, and I hope anyone in that situation can get free, too. You can have a vibrant and fulfilling relationship with Christ without having your every move controlled by a pastor, an evangelist, a "discipler," or whatever.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Relationship with God
Review: This book was the best book I've read on spiritual abuse issues. It covers all areas: from being spiritually abused, why things go wrong in the churches today, how to recognize an abusive system, to recovering and returning to a right relationship with God, one of faith, hope, love, and grace. These are the things that build a relationship, and create change in our lives. It's not about rules, regulations, being obedient to leaders, and having people tell you their perception and belief of God's will for your life. That's why God gave us His Word, and we are to grow in a relationship with Him. He will do the work in us , we could not do ourselves. This book was the key to helping our family get our lives back together after having experienced abuse in a church. It not only validated us, but it is packed full of scriptures to search the truth out for yourself, to really look at what the Bible is saying, to whom, why, and to see Jesus's true character, and heart of God's Word. What a blessing! I noticed a person was sort of negative in their response to this book, and spoke of how we are to submit to leaders, etc. The Bible tells us to submit to leaders who speak the truth, who operate in the "fruits of the spirit," and who love (both saints and sinners alike). How can we get to the lost, and get them saved if we are to self-righteous to reach out to them, and love them enough to meet them where they are. Self-righteousness sends people away from God, not toward him. Legalism is based on getting right with God, not how to have a relationship with Him. Even though we were spiritually abused, I don't like to hear messages that "tickle my ears" either, but the deliverance of the message, and the heart of the person sending the message must line up with God's Word, and have a character as Jesus did. God gave us feelings and emotions too, it's not always our sinful flesh. We need God to help us discern between the two. I thank God for this book, pray that God will continue to bless their work because a lot of people without resources like this may otherwise walk away from the Lord, after having experienced such a tramatic experience as spiritual abuse. The book is full of insight, not only of abuse issues, but what's gone wrong in churches today. The only thing that the church can really offer anyone that the world can't is "God's love and grace." As Christians, that's our responsibility! That's what will change people, the world, and cause us to love God and want to serve Him.