Sexual Violence and the Church

"In Sacred Witness, Susanne Scholz discusses the wide range of rape texts in biblical literature-some that long have troubled readers, others that should have but didn't, such as texts of marital rape, for example, or metaphorical speech about God as rapist. Assuming the androcentric nature of these writings, Scholz asks how we may read these texts in order to find some redemptive meaning for women, children, and men who have been injured by sexual violence and by "cultures of rape." Sacred Witness provides illuminating reflection on some of the most troubling texts in the Hebrew Bible"--Publisher description.

"Soto Albrecht demonstrates how a feminist theology of nonviolence rooted in the Anabaptist tradition can be effective in overcoming family violence in Christian homes. Her use of analysis and stories creates an accessible text suitable for classrooms and also for adult study groups."--BOOK JACKET.

Gender, violence, and justice is a volume of collected essays by an expert in the field of violence against women and pastoral theology. It represents over three decades of research, advocacy, and pastoral theological reflection on the subject of sexual and domestic violence. Topics include intimate partner violence, sexual abuse and trauma, and clergy sexual misconduct; controversial theological issues such as forgiveness and, as well, positive frameworks for fostering well-being in families, church, and society. Framed by a foreword and an introduction that place this work in the context of new and contemporary challenges in theory and practice, these essays show an evolution of issues and frameworks for theology, care, and activism arising over time from the movement to end violence against women (both within and beyond religious communities) -- while at the same time demonstrating an unchanging core commitment to gender justice.

Violence against women and girls is a human rights epidemic that affects millions of lives around the world. While many Christians are addressing this crisis through education, advocacy and philanthropic support, there has been a reluctance to name gendercide as a theological and confessional issue, a matter that strikes at the very essence of the Christian faith. In The Cross and Gendercide, Elizabeth Gerhardt draws on Luther's "theology of the cross" to provide a theological basis for naming and responding to the grave sin of global gendercide. She lifts up the work and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an especially powerful resource for mobilizing the church today toward political action and social engagement. From the perspective of Christ's cross, the church must raise a prophetic voice against systemic violence and speak up for the myriad women and girls who are invisible and voiceless in the world today.

Religious beliefs and abuse / Carolyn Holderread Heggen -- The evangelical debate over biblical "headship" / David M. Scholer -- Clergy sexual abuse / Diane Langberg -- Characteristics of the incestuous family / Jackie J. Hudson -- How evangelical women cope with prescription and description / Alice P. Mathews -- No church to call home / Shirley Gillett -- Some biblical reflections on justice, rape, and an insensitive society / Craig S. Keener -- Depression in abused women / M. Gay Hubbard -- Pastoral care for abused women / Joan Burgess Winfrey -- Creating healing environments for abuse survivors / Mary Nella Bruce -- Competent Christian intervention with men who batter / Steven R. Fleming -- A prison epistle / Thomas -- God's purposes in the midst of human sin / Catherine Clark Kroeger -- Theology for the healthy family / James R. Beck.

"According to the American Medical Association, one quarter of American women will be abused by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Loving support can make a tremendous difference to survivors as they struggle with the difficult process of healing and regaining trust in themselves and others. Often, however, pastoral caregivers possess the same misconceptions about domestic violence as does the uninformed public. Al Miles addresses the issues related to inadequate pastoral response to this pervasive problem. He explores the dynamics of abusive relationships and the role that clergy members can take to heal this painful situation. The new edition of Domestic Violence builds upon the insights, policies, and programs of the original volume and includes new information on the pathology of domestic violence and the effect the economic downturn is having on victim-survivors and batterers. Miles also focuses on helping clergy and other pastoral ministers develop a more compassionate response to victim-survivors who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. This thoroughly updated edition includes questions for discussion, a list of additional resources, and contact information for state coalitions working to end domestic violence"--Publisher description.

Originally published in 1983 as Sexual Violence: The Unmentionable Sin, this book is an updated combination of Fortune's experiences as a church educator, advocate for sexual abuse survivors, and pastor that answers a difficult question--How do we respond to sexual violence? With sexual violence no longer the "unmentionable" sin it was 20 years ago, and with much progress having been made in the ways we respond to sexual violence, Sexual Violence: The Sin Revisited celebrates our changing consciousness but also continues to call religious leaders' and caregivers' attention to this pervasive constellation of problems.

Are you ready to abuse-proof your congregation? If one child or adult is spared the confusing ordeal of unwanted touch, it will be worth your time to read this book. In this comprehensive resource, Methodist pastor and pastoral psychologist Karen McClintock demonstrates that sexual abuse in congregations is preventable and gives clergy and lay leaders the tools they need to prevent it. This book shows congregations how to protect children and vulnerable adults, prevent sexual harassment either by clergy or of clergy, and strengthen clergy families by raising awareness of the occupational and emotional risks inherent in pastoral ministry. When you have finished this book, you will be familiar with the conditions in parishes and in the mental health of the individuals within them that lead to risky behaviors. You will be equipped to recognize and set sexual boundaries for yourself and to open dialogue about these issues in your congregation. You will have laughed at, celebrated, and honored human sexual power, pleasure, and vulnerability. You will have gained the knowledge you need, and perhaps the courage, to communicate these ideas within your congregation so that children and vulnerable adults are protected.

Creating justice in the space around us : toward a biblical theology of peace between men and women / Mary H. Schertz ; Response / Lydia Neufeld Harder -- Redemptive resistance to violation of women : Christian power, justice, and self-giving love / Gayle Gerber Koontz ; Response / Lois J. Edmund -- Domestic abuse : a case study / Isaac I. Block ; Response / Carolyn Holderread Heggen -- Christian ideology, rape and women's postrape journeys to healing / Ruth E. Krall ; Response / Miriam E. Martin -- Content to suffer : an exploration of Mennonite theology from the context of violence against women / Carol Penner ; Response / Harriet Sider Bicksler.

Sexual abuse : what is it and why is it wrong? -- The victim and resultant issues -- Denial, incidence, and factors related to abuse -- The perpetrator -- Religious beliefs and abuse -- Pastoral abuse -- Repentance, restitution, forgiveness, and reconciliation -- Congregational responses to abuse -- Making worship sensitive to survivors -- Preventing sexual abuse -- Congregational role in developing healthy sexuality.

In this comprehensive, practical, and gripping assessment of various forms of violence against women, Pamela Cooper-White challenges the Christian churches to examine their own responses to the cry of Tamar in our time. She describes specific forms of such violence and outlines appropriate pastoral responses. The second edition of this groundbreaking work is thoroughly updated and examines not only where the church has made progress since 1995 but also where women remain at unchanged or even greater risk of violence.

Explains the range of different sexual violations, from harassment in the workplace and marital rape to sexual violence in the military and childhood sexual abuse; and offers tips from experts in the field on various modes of recovery including mind-body practices, psychoeducation, spirituality/religion, and journaling.

Men's Work in Preventing Violence Against Women examines the experiences of 12 practicing counselors who call on their religious training to form partnerships between men and women that promote an end to domestic violence. In both religious and secular settings, the bulk of the work done to end violence against women is done by women--survivors who have become activists and advocates who have been touched by the witness of survivors. Motivating and educating men to share the everyday work of domestic violence shelters, rape crisis counseling, and abuse prevention is essential. This book challenges traditional images of masculinity, exploring effective--and ineffective--methods of helping men face their own sexism and change their behavior toward the goal of ending domestic violence.

"The #MeToo movement has revealed sexual abuse in every sphere of society, including the church. But all too often, churches have been complicit in protecting abusers, reinforcing patriarchal power dynamics, and creating cultures of secrecy, shame, and silence. Disclosing candid stories of abuse, pastor and survivor Ruth Everhart offers God's hope to survivors while shining a light on the prevalence of sexual misconduct within faith communities"-- Provided by publisher.