*** Loura Lawrence shares her personal story of infant loss and spiritual abuse through Word of Faith occult-like teachings *** October is the month designated for pregnancy and infant loss awareness, so this story is timely. Last week, I received a personal story of infant loss and spiritual abuse. Imagine combining the tragic loss of a… Continue reading A Personal Story: Spiritual Abuse through Word of Faith Teachings during Tragic Infant Loss
Category: ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH
After Mark Driscoll’s Resignation, Can Mars Hill Be Saved?
*** Pastor Mark Driscoll recently resigned from the church he founded, Mars Hill. Can Mars Hill be saved? *** Mars Hill plans on moving forward as clearly identified in this statement put out by the Mars Hill Board of Overseers: Michael Van Skaik, Larry Osborne, Jon Phelps, and Matt Rogers: On Tuesday, October 14,… Continue reading After Mark Driscoll’s Resignation, Can Mars Hill Be Saved?
Bill Gothard’s New Program/Ministry: Total Success Power Teams
Bill Gothard launches new accountability ministry/program: Total Success Power Teams BACKGROUND A few weeks ago, I was given some information regarding a new "program" that Bill Gothard is promoting. I was shocked that he'd want to get back in the saddle of ministry work so soon after resigning from the Board of the Institute in Basic… Continue reading Bill Gothard’s New Program/Ministry: Total Success Power Teams
Soul Tied: Harmful Spiritual Conclusions about Sex Abuse, Purity Culture, and Sex Abuse Victims
*** Christian leaders put their spiritual spin on sexual abuse and premarital sex and devalue young women in the process. *** The church has sometimes done a poor job on handling sex abuse and premarital sex and I was reminded once again this week. But let me back up and give other examples of how… Continue reading Soul Tied: Harmful Spiritual Conclusions about Sex Abuse, Purity Culture, and Sex Abuse Victims
Christian Domestic Discipline (Wife Spanking): A Personal Story, and a Closer Look at Patterns Connected with this Abusive Practice
Christian Domestic Discipline, "wife spanking," Christian Patriarchy Movement, Spanking of Adult Children, Denominational Practices and teachings *** Two summers ago, I received a phone call from a pastor who shared his growing concern about wife-spanking in his family of churches. Months later, I finally reported on the topic of wife spanking in this article: The Christian… Continue reading Christian Domestic Discipline (Wife Spanking): A Personal Story, and a Closer Look at Patterns Connected with this Abusive Practice
Personal Story: I am a Spiritual Abuse Survivor
*** A spiritual abuse survivor shares her personal story *** A long-time reader recovering from spiritual abuse recently shared her story with me and has given me permission to share it with you. She is choosing to remain anonymous. It is very well written. I'm going to issue a trigger warning for content related to:… Continue reading Personal Story: I am a Spiritual Abuse Survivor
Reformed Complementarians Take on the Patriarchy Movement and Errant Ideologies
*** The errant Patriarchy Movement is getting some well-deserved attention by voices in Reformed Christianity *** Vyckie Garrison wrote an article which has been spread around quite a bit. If you haven't read, it please be sure to do so. In the article, How Playing Good Christian Housewife Almost Killed Me, she discusses her life in… Continue reading Reformed Complementarians Take on the Patriarchy Movement and Errant Ideologies
Hillsong Sex Abuse Scandal to be Investigated by Australian Officials
*** Investigators will look into sexual abuse allegations against Hillsong Pastor Brian Houston's late father and founder of the Pentecostal movement, Frank Houston, in Australia *** Sometimes I just want to scream and today is one of those days. This morning a reader alerted me to the breaking Hillsong sex abuse inquiry in Australia. The sex… Continue reading Hillsong Sex Abuse Scandal to be Investigated by Australian Officials
When Christian Fathers Own Their Daughters, A Personal Story: I was a Female Slave in Training
*** A personal story of a father who used Christianity and the Bible as a weapon as he controlled his daughter and allowed her to be abused. *** In my recent article, So, what does John MacArthur really think about young women going to college? "Guest" made a comment that is too important to be buried in the… Continue reading When Christian Fathers Own Their Daughters, A Personal Story: I was a Female Slave in Training
So, what does John MacArthur really think about young women going to college?
*** Karl Heitman and Matt Tarr come to different conclusions about whether it is okay for young ladies to go to college. Both cite John MacArthur and the Bible to back up their claims. Who is right? *** I'm always thankful for readers who send me information on articles or concerns they see within… Continue reading So, what does John MacArthur really think about young women going to college?
Insurance Company Files Legal Complaint against Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel
*** Assurance Company of America files legal complaint against Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, Inc., Vision Forum Ministries, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel *** On August 26, 2014, Assurance Company of America filed a legal complaint for "Declaratory Judgment" against The Vision Forum, Inc., Vision Forum Ministries, Doug Phillips, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel. I have no legal background except… Continue reading Insurance Company Files Legal Complaint against Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, and Lourdes Torres-Manteufel
From Silence to Exposure: Why did Homeschool Leader Michael Farris Speak Out Now?
*** Michael Farris speaks out against teachings of two fallen Homeschool Movement leaders, Doug Phillips and Bill Gothard, but why now? *** ** Michael Farris, one of the pillars of the modern Homeschool Movement and founders of Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and founding president of Patrick Henry College, released an article addressing abuses within the… Continue reading From Silence to Exposure: Why did Homeschool Leader Michael Farris Speak Out Now?
Learn to Discern: Who would you choose to marry, an abusive Christian or a kind and gentle unbeliever?
***Learn to Discern: Is it better for a Christian woman to marry a kind and gentle unbeliever or an abusive Christian?***Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 Over at Karen Campbell's blog, she's having a series of articles on… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Who would you choose to marry, an abusive Christian or a kind and gentle unbeliever?
Who is @Rhology? What are #pulpiteers? How Do They Function?
*** Alan Maricle aka @Rhology defends and imitates J.D. Hall's (aka @pulpitandpen) bad behavior on Twitter. *** Admin note: I'm going to take the easy route here and jump into a situation to discuss it without giving a lot of background. However, if you want to know the background of this story, please visit Wartburg Watch… Continue reading Who is @Rhology? What are #pulpiteers? How Do They Function?
Emotional Chaos after Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse can leave damaging scars, some resulting in real difficulties, including anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, etc. *** Longtime SSB reader, Refugee, left a comment with questions regarding the difficulty she is facing after having experienced spiritual abuse. Because she responded to an older article and I really want her to get answers (and likely… Continue reading Emotional Chaos after Spiritual Abuse
Dr. Albert Mohler and Response to Sex Abuse in Churches
Albert Mohler and Church Leaders' Response to Sex Abuse in Christian Churches I ran across a blog post that made me shout, "YES!" Blog author, Laura Lowe at Connections and Conundrums, has graciously has allowed me to cross post it here. Thank you, Laura, for speaking out on such an important topic! ~Julie Anne … Continue reading Dr. Albert Mohler and Response to Sex Abuse in Churches
SSB Readers Discuss D. Scott Meadows’ “A Christian Wife’s Catechism” and Addendums
** I'm opening this thread for discussion on the recent article by D. Scott Meadows, Addenda, Part 2: Clarification of “A Christian Wife’s Marriage Catechism” posted at Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog. D. Scott Meadows has had quite a response on social media about his recent article, "A Christian Wife's Catechism." The first article received a lot of… Continue reading SSB Readers Discuss D. Scott Meadows’ “A Christian Wife’s Catechism” and Addendums
A Pastor is Challenged after Releasing a Disturbing and Potentially Dangerous Article Directed to Wives of “Difficult” Husbands
Article by Pastor D. Scott Meadows' article, A Christian Wife's Marriage Catechism, creates a stir among the survivor community. I've been watching an important sequence of events unfolding in the blogosphere. Pastor D. Scott Meadows of Calvary Baptist Church (Reformed) in New Hampshire wrote an article, A Christian Wife’s Marriage Catechism. The catechism is a list… Continue reading A Pastor is Challenged after Releasing a Disturbing and Potentially Dangerous Article Directed to Wives of “Difficult” Husbands
Open Letter to Editors of Christianity Today from Ex-Wife of Pedophile: “Predators in Our Midst”
Ex-wife of convicted pedophile writes open letter to Editors of Christianity Today after they published and then removed an article written by a former youth pastor and convicted pedophile. Sometimes when people go through a horrific experience, they become an expert in their "field" from what they learn and are able to benefit so many… Continue reading Open Letter to Editors of Christianity Today from Ex-Wife of Pedophile: “Predators in Our Midst”
Can High-Controlling Pastors Lead Their Members into Depression and Even Suicide?
Commenters share about high-controlling pastors who leave a path of mental health destruction, even suicide, because they cannot get appropriate help. A while back, I found a comment at SGMSurvivor.com blog that cut like a knife. Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) is in the news a good bit because of the sex abuse lawsuits, but the subject… Continue reading Can High-Controlling Pastors Lead Their Members into Depression and Even Suicide?
Spiritual Sounding Board 