" . . . unless the church treats all individuals as image bearers of Christ, we will not be the Body of Christ as the church was intended to be."
Tag: Divorce
A personal update from Julie Anne:
Today is my birthday. This morning I woke up happy, smiling, and very excited to be alive and well with a great home, a great job, and great family and friends. But I’d like to give you a window into what it was like this time last year. I was not well.
Domestic Violence Survivor Responds to Wayne Grudem’s Change of Opinion on “Allowing” Divorce for Abuse in Marriage
Next time you meet a divorced survivor, look in her eyes with kindness and ask yourself how bad it had to be to risk all she did.
An Abusive Marriage, Well-Meaning Christians, and God’s Word
*** I ran across a post on Facebook that a friend wrote. Flo Fromer-Wedding posted about the spiritual tug-of-war process she went through while she was in an abusive marriage. Unfortunately, the church is often a volatile place for abused women to get help, especially when there is greater emphasis on the "covenant of marriage,"… Continue reading An Abusive Marriage, Well-Meaning Christians, and God’s Word
Lori Alexander, Advocate of Women Staying Married to Their Abusers
-by Kathi Lori Alexander at The Transformed Wife continues to advocate that there is no room for divorce for a spouse experiencing physical abuse. A commentor at her post, For Those Considering Divorce - Stop!, speaks about her mother's best friend who would show up with bruises and black eyes. With valid reasoning she… Continue reading Lori Alexander, Advocate of Women Staying Married to Their Abusers
Analysis: Paige Patterson’s Teachings on Domestic Violence Keep Victims in Harm’s Way
Paige Patterson, Domestic Violence, SBC, Divorce *** Over the weekend, an old recording of an interview from 2000 with Paige Patterson resurfaced, causing an uproar because of his response regarding domestic violence. Paige Patterson is a prominent Southern Baptist leader and president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). I have been familiar with this recording for several… Continue reading Analysis: Paige Patterson’s Teachings on Domestic Violence Keep Victims in Harm’s Way
Trite, Unhelpful, and Demoralizing Responses to Wives in Harmful Marriages
*** I am posting a comment that came in on yesterday's post Book Review Series – “The Power of a Transformed Wife” – Stuffing Feelings and Pretending to Be Joyful by someone who used the name, Auislucky. Auislucky mentioned at the bottom of her comment that she didn't want me to post her comment if it would hurt someone.… Continue reading Trite, Unhelpful, and Demoralizing Responses to Wives in Harmful Marriages
“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?
1-1/2 years Later, Bethlehem Baptist Church Doesn’t Seem to get Domestic Violence: A Personal Story
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Pastor Jason Meyer, Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse, Spiritual Abuse Almost 1-1/2 years ago, I wrote an article about John Piper's former church, Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) regarding domestic violence, Encouraging Shift from Bethlehem Baptist Church Regarding Domestic Abuse and Care for Abused Women. Around that time, BBC pastor, Jason Meyer, preached a sermon and… Continue reading 1-1/2 years Later, Bethlehem Baptist Church Doesn’t Seem to get Domestic Violence: A Personal Story
Saeed Abedini: Files for Divorce, Seeks Money for New Ministry, and Recently Arrested for Violating Restraining Order
Saeed Abedini, Naghmeh, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Arrest for Violating Restraining Order, Seeks Money for New Ministry Yesterday, Naghmeh Abedini, wife of Saeed Abedini, reported on Facebook that her husband had filed for divorce. It is with a heavy and broken heart that I inform all of you who have prayed and wept with our family… Continue reading Saeed Abedini: Files for Divorce, Seeks Money for New Ministry, and Recently Arrested for Violating Restraining Order
Domestic Violence is NOT a Marriage Issue, but an Abuse Issue
Domestic Violence, Naghmeh and Saeed Abedini, Divorce, Marriage, Abuse, Church Response to Abuse Earlier today, I participated in a discussion at SharperIron.org. The discussion is about Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini and domestic violence. A commenter, dmyers, is having trouble with Naghmeh's earlier statements, challenging her claims of abuse, etc. I have an assignment due in… Continue reading Domestic Violence is NOT a Marriage Issue, but an Abuse Issue
Three Pastors Challenge Dr. James Dobson’s Advice on Domestic Violence Which Could Put Victims in Harm’s Way
Dr. James Dobson, Love Must Be Tough, Domestic Violence, Spousal Abuse, Church, Jeff Crippen, Mike Sloan, Neil Schori ** Recently, an article was posted at Dr. James Dobson's website and Facebook page. The Facebook post received a lot of push back, and interestingly (but not surprisingly), the article, along with all of the comments, has since… Continue reading Three Pastors Challenge Dr. James Dobson’s Advice on Domestic Violence Which Could Put Victims in Harm’s Way
Tullian Tchividjian Files for Dissolution of Marriage and Timeline
*** Public records from Florida courts show that former pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (CRPC), Tullian Tchividjian, has filed for dissolution of marriage from his wife, Kimberly, on August 20, 2015. This filing comes only two months after Tchividjian released a public statement to the Washington Post: “I resigned from my position at Coral… Continue reading Tullian Tchividjian Files for Dissolution of Marriage and Timeline
Can our Faith and Love Co-Exist with Extremism?
* * * Having been spoon-fed by my former pastor a form of extremism, or rigid, legalistic, black/white rules and practices, I have pressed myself to re-evaluate those rules and ideas and measure them with scripture using my own eyes and discernment. What freedom! The following article is by Brenda, a… Continue reading Can our Faith and Love Co-Exist with Extremism?
Divorce Dilemmas in the Church
* * * I read this excerpt by Dr. Russell Moore recently. He was asked what to do if someone is in a miserable marriage: Does God want you to be miserable? Long-term, no. And that’s why God has designed marriage as a life-long covenant signaling the gospel of Jesus Christ.… Continue reading Divorce Dilemmas in the Church
Spiritual Sounding Board 