ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Guest Post, Ravi Zacharias, Southern Baptist Convention, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Johnny Hunt Has a “He Said/ He Said” Problem

Within the last three weeks Pastor Johnny Hunt has gone from “no contact whatsoever” to admitting that he had a “consensual encounter” with a younger pastor’s wife.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Bethlehem Baptist Church, John Piper, Religious Power and Control, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Women and the Church

Survivors of Bethlehem Baptist Church And Seminary share their personal stories on Twitter

So, in an effort to consolidate some of the personal stories, especially for those who would rather not wade through Twitter, I've compiled some important tweet threads here.

Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, Beaverton Grace Bible Church, BGBC Lawsuit, C.J. Mahaney, Chuck O'Neal, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Disturbing Trends, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Doug Wilson, JULIE ANNE'S CASE, Mandatory Reporting, Mark Driscoll, Narcissistic Pastors, Ravi Zacharias, Recovery Process, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Spiritual Abuse, SPIRITUAL ABUSE RECOVERY, Spiritual Bullies

My Church Leaders Were Abusive: Should I share my story publicly with Christian media? Is there something I can do that will affect positive change?

. . we can't change the culture of an abusive church, because while an abusive leader is in power, there is a system of abuse involved. We cannot change an abusive system. But what we survivors can do is provide a safe place where personal stories are told, heard, believed.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Biblical Manhood, Christian Marriage, Church Discipline Process, Domestic Violence and Churches, Doug Wilson, emotional abuse, Leaving the Church, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Misuse of Scripture, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Women and the Church

We Now See the Fruit of Doug Wilson’s Teachings on Marital Sex: Personal Accounts of Marital Rape

Let me be blunt: I believe Douglas Wilson has given the green light for all “Christian” men to sexually violate or rape their wives. Men penetrate, conquer, colonize, plant; women must receive, surrender, and accept.

Ravi Zacharias

Summary: What’s Happened in the Last Six Months with RZIM & Ravi Zacharias?

This post is an SSB team effort with the first draft written by Brad Sargent, with additions and edits by Julie Anne Smith. In This Post: Key Sources for Documentation, Details, and Discernment The Big Picture of the Last Six Months (September 2020 - February 2021) RZIM Individuals, Institutions, and Followers/Supporters Ravi Zacharias’ Followers; Issues… Continue reading Summary: What’s Happened in the Last Six Months with RZIM & Ravi Zacharias?

Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, emotional abuse, It's All About the Image, Ravi Zacharias, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Bullies, Women and the Church

Julie Anne Smith Interviewed on Almost Heretical Podcast: Spiritual and Sexual Abuse

Nate is the first person to interview me specifically about the Ravi Zacharias sex abuse scandal and ask me why I thought it took so long for the collective church to "get it."

Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias

The Vince and Jo Vitale Case Study in Pseudo-Confessions

"Am I the only one bothered by the use of “failure” language in the rush of mea culpas that we now see bursting from the bowels of evangelical Christianity as Ravi Zacharias’s empire goes the way of the Titanic?"

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Churches, John MacArthur, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Master's University / Master's Seminary, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement, Religious Power and Control, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Troubling Tweets, Women and the Church

How Pastor Steve Swartz uses Scripture to Elevate His Position as Pastor and His Response to an Abusive Marriage #Blech

Ok, popping in here for a quickie post for discussion. Notice this dude is a Master's Seminary Alum. This does not surprise me with the kind of pompous attitudes I have witnessed and encountered from John MacArthur's camp. Case in point, Bill Shannon reached out to me during my lawsuit case. I'll never forget how… Continue reading How Pastor Steve Swartz uses Scripture to Elevate His Position as Pastor and His Response to an Abusive Marriage #Blech

Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias and RZIM 2020 Research and Resource Post: Timeline, Links to Articles/Analysis, Nonprofit Reference

On December 23, 2020, RZIM / Ravi Zacharias International Ministries noted on social media that they released an intermediate report from the law firm of Miller & Martin PLLC on the investigation they commissioned into certain issues of reported sexual abuse by its founder, Ravi Zacharias. This report confirms he did engage in sexual abuse, and that more details are forthcoming. This official statement by RZIM is vindication for the women who reported Mr. Zacharias’ abuses: These were credible accusations–not mere allegations or false reports.

In light of this confirmation, I am compiling resources that provide crucial elements of the context to the overall situation for Ravi Zacharias as an individual and for RZIM as the institution he founded.

I hope this will be of help for those who want to understand the broader backstory, research and analyze the issues involved, and discern and decide for themselves what actions should be taken.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

Ravi Zacharias: Reports of Sexual Predation and Sexual Abuse at Health Spas

And now, Steve Baughman has uncovered more of the same . . . Ravi has a history of seeking sexual gratification for himself, using his position of power and trust to obtain those "favors." This is clergy sexual misconduct and spiritual abuse!

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Abuse Systems and Transformation Tools, Authoritative Preaching, Biblical Manhood, Christian Marriage, Crazy Things Church Leaders Say & Do, Disturbing Trends, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Doug Wilson, emotional abuse, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Gender Roles, God's Design for the Family, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Mental Health and the Church, Misuse of Scripture, Religious Power and Control, Sexual Abuse/Assault and Churches, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies, Women and the Church

The Who’s Who and What’s What of Poisonous Patriarchy in Contemporary Christianity: Introducing Brian Sauvé

This power-over structure is harmful, demeaning, and depersonalizes women who were made in the Image of God.

Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Doctrine as Idol, Gender Roles, John Piper, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority

John Piper Questions Whether Wives Should Share Their Wisdom with Their Husbands

John Piper could have stopped with "I don't know" in his response to a listener about wife submission. Instead, he gives a round about answer which ultimately adds an extra emotional and spiritual toll on the wife.

Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Dies; More Lies Uncovered

The two former Ravi-colleagues both clearly remember that Ravi did not preach at the graduation. That was a role reserved for the college president. So they checked the program from that day and then shared it with me.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Clergy Misconduct, Clergy Sex Abuse, Ravi Zacharias

Before Evangelicals Canonize Ravi Zacharias, will they learn from Jean Vanier and L’Arche?

The evidence against Ravi Zacharias is, after all, serious and compelling. If evangelicals ignore it they will show the world that they do not take their Holy Bible seriously (1 Timothy 5:20).

Biblical Manhood, Christian Love, Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Doctrine as Idol, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Egalitarianism, Gender Roles, John Piper, Together for the Gospel

John Piper on Complementarianism and Abuse – #T4G20

What is up with John Piper's erratic response on Complementarianism and abuse?

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Ravi Zacharias

The Ravi Zacharias Legacy: Fans, Falsehoods, and Yet Another Troubling Question — by Steve Baughman

Investigating a suspect who exercises his right to remain silent can be a challenge. The suspect provides no information, so one can spend loads of time pursuing hunches that lead nowhere, or worse, to egg on the face. But with Ravi Zacharias it’s been easy. Almost every one of my hunches has led to evidence of significant deception by the man Chuck Colson called “the great apologist of our time.”

Book Review Series, Christian Marriage, Doctrine as Idol, Domestic Violence, Gender Roles, Marriage, Martha Peace, Spiritual Abuse

Book Review Series – "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace – Chapter Twenty-One – Who Knew Sorrow and Grief Could be Sinful

This chapter is supposed to help a wife who is grieving over her husband's sinful actions. Interestingly, nothing specifically points to how a wife can manage her grief or sorrow.

Book Review Series, Christian Marriage, Doctrine as Idol, Domestic Violence, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Martha Peace, Spiritual Abuse

Book Review Series – “The Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace – Chapter Twenty – When Desiring Intimacy is Idolatrous

In this chapter, Martha Peace lets wives know it's their problem if they feel lonely when their husbands isolate them.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Council for Bibl. Manhood & Womanhood, Gender Roles, Owen Strachan

Owen Strachan’s Logical Conclusion: Jesus Must Have Been Buff

But still - what a bunch of malarkey. And what in the heck does it mean for a man to be "willfully soft physically?" Does this mean that anyone who doesn't work out is not spiritual?

Biblical Counseling, Book Review Series, Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Doctrine as Idol, Domestic Violence, Gender Roles, Marriage, Martha Peace, Spiritual Abuse

Book Review Series – “The Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace – Chapter Nineteen – Never Fear, the Lord is Near

In this chapter wives are told that fear is associated is sinful and indicates a lack of trust in God.