Women, Abuse, and the Bible: How Scripture Can Be Used to Hurt or Heal Catherine Clark Kroeger & James R. Beck, editors

First, The Bad News

We all either know someone or have heard stories about women who have been abused.

• Linda doesn't know if she can trust God anymore. Her father, an elder in the church, molested her when she was a child. Her church teaches that God is a Father, and she doesn't want any part of religion.

• Barb knows that the beatings she takes from her husband are wrong, but he keeps telling her it's her Christian duty to submit.

• Ellen has always been taught that men are supposed to be leaders in the church, and women are to keep silent. She is afraid to let anyone in the church know that she was verbally assaulted by a church leader.

Why do Christians physically, sexually, or emotionally abuse others--with frightening frequency? A recent conference on "Women, Abuse, and the Bible" looked for answers. Fifteen select papers from this conference appear in this book.

Part I covers the relationship between belief and abuse. The book analyses statistics and includes personal stories, showing how biblical concepts can be misused to feed tendencies toward control and violence. Chapters deal with the biblical, theological, pastoral, psychological, legal, and social aspects of abuse. The book also considers whether traditional views have made women targets.

The Good News

After examining the ways in which Scripture has been used to hurt, Part II addresses questions of healing: What can we learn from one another about the totality of battering, incest, rape, emotional cruelty, and clergy abuse? How can we minister in Christ's name to both the abused and the abuser? What can we, as the people of God unified in conviction and in purpose, do toward prevention and treatment of abuse in its many aspects?

Contributors attempt to answer these questions by examining biblical perspectives on relationships and sexuality, as well as biblical interpretations of headship and submission. A model of pastoral care for abused women is offered. Ways to create a healing environment for abuse survivors are discussed. Also examined are effective means of Christian intervention with men who batter.

Statistics on Battering

· Approximately 95% of the victims of battering are women (U.S. Department of Justice, 1983).

· More than 50% of women are battered at some time in their lives; over one-third are battered repeatedly (Peachey, 1988).

· On average, 10 women a day are killed by their batterers (National Organization for Women, 1987).

· Each year, more than 1 million women seek medical assistance for injuries caused by battering (Stark and Flitcraft, 1982).

· Battering accounts for more injuries to women than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined (Stark and Flitcraft).

· In 1986, 30% of female homicide victims were killed by their husbands or boyfriends (Uniform Crime Reports, FBI, 1987).

· Estimates of the percentage of pregnant women who are battered run as high as 25% (Flitcraft).

· In one study (Gondolf, 1988), two-thirds of battered women have partners who have threatened to kill them.

Contributors

·Carolyn Holderread Heggen · David M. Scholer · Diane Langberg ·
· Jackie J. Hudson · Alice P. Mathews · Shirley Gillett · Craig S. Keener ·
· M. Gay Hubbard · Joan Burgess Winfrey · Mary Nella Bruce · Steven R. Fleming ·
· Thomas · Catherine Clark Kroeger · James R. Beck ·

Endorsement

"I believe that this is a valuable piece of writing never before offered to the community of Christians worldwide, who so desperately need to have access to this information. The depth and substance provided by the authors recounts the poignant struggle of women worldwide who have suffered often within the church, and yet courageously set about to change their lives and their world. This profound Christian "study of our times" should bring us to our knees in repentance. The character and integrity of the Christian church will be reflected in our response."

-- Paul B. Thompson, former president/CEO of Operation Blessing International and executive director of World Vision Relief and Development. Previously co-chair of the Commission on the Advancement of Women.

About the Editors

Catherine Clark Kroeger is adjunct professor of classical and ministry studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She holds a Ph.D. in classical studies from the University of Minnesota.

James R. Beck is associate professor of counseling, Denver Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology, Biola University.

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