Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, Divorce, Egalitarianism, emotional abuse, Focus on the Family, Gender Roles, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Leaving the Church, Marriage, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement, Religious Power and Control, Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Bullies

Spiritual Headship was Spiritual Abuse in My Family

But towards the end of our marriage, something else changed. For the first time ever, if I questioned or challenged him about a doctrinal belief that had changed, he started to pull rank saying he was the spiritual head of the home. That had never occurred before.

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Julie Anne's Personal Stories, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Personal Stories, Safe Churches, Single and Christian, Small Groups, Well Done, Church Leaders!

We are Image Bearers of Christ in Our Marriages and in Our Singlehood

" . . . 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."

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Spiritual Authority, Wives or (ex) of Pedophiles, Women and the Church

“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?

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Failure to Report Crimes, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Spiritual Abuse, Spiritual Authority, Women and the Church

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

ABUSE & VIOLENCE IN THE CHURCH, ABUSE RECOVERY PROCESS-PROBLEMS, Christian Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Churches, Going Back to Church Again, Marriage, Marriages Damaged-Destroyed by Sp. Ab., Personal Stories, Recovery Process, Safe Churches, Shunning, Spiritual Abuse

Loss of Perspective: The Cost of Enduring Abuse

Do individuals suffer harm when they remain in verbally or emotionally abusive relationships?  Cindy Kunsman illustrates the effects through an account of spiritual abuse.     By Cindy Kunsman, UnderMuchGrace.com After reading Julie Anne's post questioning whether divorce from an abusive spouse is actually a “sin,” I found myself thinking of the loss of perspective and… Continue reading Loss of Perspective: The Cost of Enduring Abuse

Courtship, Doug Wilson, Marriage, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement

David Bayly’s Ideas on Courtship and Marriage as a Battle until His Bride Surrenders

*** David Bayly's ideas on courtship and marriage as a battle and raging war of a man against his virgin bride to be conquered until she surrenders, similar to Doug Wilson *** This men-conquering-women-thang really gets my goat.  What is up with that?  Ok, thanks to Cindy, I found an old blog post by Bayly… Continue reading David Bayly’s Ideas on Courtship and Marriage as a Battle until His Bride Surrenders

C.J. Mahaney, Christian Marriage, Council for Bibl. Manhood & Womanhood, John Piper, Marriage, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement

Article Uses Olympics Pairs Figure Skating to Promote Roles of Husband and Wife in Complementarianism

* *** An article at John Piper's Desiring God website promotes "Biblical" roles of husbands and wives in complementarianism, using Olympic pairs figure skating as an example of how the roles work together. *** * *** Over at the Desiring God website, there is a new article, An Olympic Lesson for Husbands and Wives, by… Continue reading Article Uses Olympics Pairs Figure Skating to Promote Roles of Husband and Wife in Complementarianism

Christian Marriage, Doug Wilson, Extra-Biblical Nonsense, Full-Quiver, Homeschool Movement, Legalism, Marriage, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement

Doug Wilson Shares Sex Advice to Married Couples When Distance Separates Them

*     *     * Last year, an excerpt of Doug Wilson's book, Fidelity, went viral because of the graphic words chosen to describe the roles of men and women in the sexual union in marriage.  In a recent blog post, Wilson attempts to answer more sex-related questions. *     *  … Continue reading Doug Wilson Shares Sex Advice to Married Couples When Distance Separates Them

Christian Marriage, Divorce, Marriage

Rainey’s 11 Rules of Marriage

*     *     *  "11 Rules of Marriage You Won't Learn in School" an excerpt from Dennis and Barbara Rainey's book, Preparing for Marriage Devotions for Couples, is discussed. *     *     * Familylife.com recently published an article including, 11 Rules of Marriage You Won't Learn in School, which was… Continue reading Rainey’s 11 Rules of Marriage

Christian Marriage, Patriarchal-Complementarian Movement, Reader's Prose

Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, or Mystery

*     *     * The other day when we were discussing the terms Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, and Patriarchy to describe how Christian couples view their gender roles within the marriage (What is Difference Between Complementarianism and Patriarchy?), Pastor Ken Garrett must have gotten a bee in his bonnet and wanted to dig a… Continue reading Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, or Mystery

Divorce, Domestic Violence and Churches, John Piper, Russell Moore, Voddie Baucham

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