For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 There has been heaviness for me this week, and it has wiped my writing mojo. But I have been thinking about a lot… Continue reading Doctrine, Debates, and Salvation. Will the real Christian please stand?
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
Opportunity to Participate in Research Study on Clergy Misconduct
I was just in contact with Julie Anne, and she asked me to post this notice on Spiritual Sounding Board. ~ Brad I occasionally hear through the survivor community grapevine about academic-level research being done on issues related to survivors of spiritual abuse. When I do, I encourage people to participate. The resulting research… Continue reading Opportunity to Participate in Research Study on Clergy Misconduct
Kari Benton Shares: Spiritual Recovery after a Lawsuit and Spiritual Abuse
*** Some may recall the story of Titus and Kari Benton who were in a defamation lawsuit by their former pastor, Steve Wingfield, of First Christian Church of Florissant. The case was later dismissed, but when you are sued by your former employer and pastor, your long-term church home, and experience spiritual abuse, it takes… Continue reading Kari Benton Shares: Spiritual Recovery after a Lawsuit and Spiritual Abuse
Lori Alexander Dishes Out Heartless Advice to Wife Who Was Sexually Abused
Admin note: This post is not part of Kathi's ongoing series reviewing Lori Alexander's book, The Transformed Wife, but is a "special report," if you will. The following was brought to our attention, and Kathi and I feel strongly that this kind of "counseling" needs to be addressed publicly. This advise can cause great harm… Continue reading Lori Alexander Dishes Out Heartless Advice to Wife Who Was Sexually Abused
Spiritual Sounding Board team coming to Orlando! Let’s meet up!
Pastor Chuck O’Neal Continues to Pull the Wool over His Evangelist Friends’ Eyes
Chuck O'Neal, Beaverton Grace Bible Church, Jeff Rose, Dr. Edward Delcour, Mike Gendron, Mike Stockwell, and Robert Gray, Evangelism Reformation Conference, Reformation Fire Conference https://twitter.com/ChuckONeal_/status/883432785221894144 *** I don't have a problem with those tweets. On the surface, they are fine. But even false teachers get things right. The Bible tells us: For certain individuals whose… Continue reading Pastor Chuck O’Neal Continues to Pull the Wool over His Evangelist Friends’ Eyes
Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett, Wk 4
Spiritual Abuse, Pastor Ken Garrett, Spiritual Abuse in the church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery *** This is an ongoing series on spiritual abuse using excerpts from Pastor Ken Garrett’s dissertation on spiritual abuse, Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery. We will use excerpts from Ken’s dissertation as a springboard for discussion.… Continue reading Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett, Wk 4
Book Review Series – Lori Alexander’s “The Power of a Transformed Wife” – Shhhh…Be Very, Very Quiet, Part 2
The Power of a Transformed Wife, Lori Alexander, Submission -by Kathi This is a book review series of The Power of a Transformed Wife by Lori Alexander. If you are just joining us, you may click on previous chapter reviews if you'd like to catch up. Introduction & Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter… Continue reading Book Review Series – Lori Alexander’s “The Power of a Transformed Wife” – Shhhh…Be Very, Very Quiet, Part 2
Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett, Wk 3
"While ideology and doctrine always have a role in the health or dysfunction of any religious group, increasingly a group’s status as a cult is derived solely from its actual treatment of its members, and not from its creeds,beliefs, and theology."
“Taking marriage seriously” – what does that mean for a Christian?
Christian Marriage, divorce, domestic violence, abuse, marital counseling, extramarital affairs *** *** My friend, Valerie Jacobsen posted this statement on her Facebook page and I asked permission to share it. I found it powerful, and yet, so contrary to the way marriage is handled in the church - especially when abuse is involved. I'm sick… Continue reading “Taking marriage seriously” – what does that mean for a Christian?
SSB Gathering – June 18, 2017
Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format. -by Kathi *** Acts 9: 32 - 10: 7 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. "Aeneas," Peter… Continue reading SSB Gathering – June 18, 2017
SSB Gathering – June 11, 2017
Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format. -by Kathi *** Acts 9: 19 - 31 Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and… Continue reading SSB Gathering – June 11, 2017
The Dangerous Teachings of Lori Alexander of The Transformed Wife
Lori Alexander, Depression, Suicide -by Julie Anne and Kathi Lori Alexander runs a blog and Facebook page called The Transformed Wife. Her Facebook page has over 21,000 followers! She models her ministry using the Titus 2 idea of older women teaching younger women. After 23 years of a difficult marriage, she claims her marriage improved after she… Continue reading The Dangerous Teachings of Lori Alexander of The Transformed Wife
Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett, Wk 2
Spiritual Abuse, Pastor Ken Garrett, Spiritual Abuse in the church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery *** Ok, here we go, plowing through Pastor Ken Garret's dissertation about spiritual abuse. I used the word plowing intentionally. For some of us, it will be work. It is not enjoyable to be reminded about difficult experiences. However,… Continue reading Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett, Wk 2
Lori Alexander’s Damaging Advice Regarding Depression
Lori Alexander, Depression, Counseling -by Kathi Lori Alexander recently posted a YouTube video on her channel titled, "Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself." *** I have to ask this first: Why are people still making videos of themselves in their cars? I guess Lori was driving somewhere, had an inspirational moment about self-pity, and just… Continue reading Lori Alexander’s Damaging Advice Regarding Depression
Let’s Discuss: The Keepers, Netflix Documentary Series about the Murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik and Systemic Sexual Abuse
The Keepers, Netflix, Cathy Cesnik, Systemic Sexual Abuse, Catholic Church, Spiritual Abuse, Clergy Sexual Abuse https://youtu.be/Khr7dbuBjuE *** The Keepers is a new documentary series airing on Netflix. I have watched 5 of the episodes and it is excellent. If you have seen Spotlight, it is similar, however, the investigative reporters in this case are two… Continue reading Let’s Discuss: The Keepers, Netflix Documentary Series about the Murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik and Systemic Sexual Abuse
New Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett
Spiritual Abuse, Pastor Ken Garrett, Spiritual Abuse in the church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery *** As I was reading through Ken Garrett's dissertation, I had to stop and soak up what I had just read. It took time to process and I felt like if I continued reading, I might miss something. It… Continue reading New Blog Series: Spiritual Abuse in the Church: A Guide to Recognition and Recovery by Pastor Ken Garrett
I’m Alive
Hey friends, I'm still alive. I'm just swamped. Welcome to my world. Feel free to continue discussion on any post. I am checking in and responding to pressing e-mails. I'll get a post up soon. Thank you for your patience!
John Piper Responds to Dad’s Question Regarding His Child’s Extreme Anxiety about Hell
John Piper, Christian Parenting, Glorious, Hell, Anxiety At John Piper's Desiring God website, they feature Ask John series in which listeners send their questions to John Piper for response. The following question came from a dad named Michael who asked John Piper the following: A question from Michael: “Pastor John, how can I talk to my… Continue reading John Piper Responds to Dad’s Question Regarding His Child’s Extreme Anxiety about Hell
How Lori Alexander’s Teaching May Keep Women in Abusive Relationships
Lori Alexander, Emotional Abuse, Headship, Submission -by Kathi I've been reading Lori Alexander's blogs for quite a while now. Just when I think her writing is the same old boring rhetoric she always blathers on about, she ups her game. Her recent post, "How Not to Get Married" is one that actually should be titled,… Continue reading How Lori Alexander’s Teaching May Keep Women in Abusive Relationships
Spiritual Sounding Board 