The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 7: Abuse and Scripture
We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here.
The focus of chapter 7 is on how Scripture can be misused to contribute to spiritual abuse. It is a little lengthier and goes deeper into some Scriptural and theological subjects the the preceding chapters have done.
Paul warned the younger pastor Titus about teachers (“especially those of the circumcision,” which we would refer to as legalists) who are “rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers.” Paul said these teachers ought to be silenced. “Instead of using the Word as a sword to pierce through to the thoughts and motives of their own hearts, many spiritual leaders have used it as a stick to drive others, for a variety of reasons: to keep others from holding them accountable; to protect their image; to uphold a doctrine they have based a whole ministry upon; to keep funds coming; to build religious kingdoms in order to bolster their own spiritual self-esteem.” (p.82, emphasis added)
Setting the Stage
You might say the stage is set for a spiritually abusive environment by mindset, motives, and method. The mindset is an approach to Scripture as a book of techniques. The focus is on earning, achieving, and doing rather than inner transformation. The focus on behavior leads to rewarding those who do more of it and ignoring those who are hurting. The motive of the leaders is not to feed the flock of God but rather to pressure people to live up to an image of God as he is re-created in the image of the leaders. Finally, the method is to use “proof-texting”. Proof-texting is when you start with a point you want to prove and then cherry-pick verses to support the point, regardless of the context and original meaning of those verses.
The Law
A mindset that shows up in many forms of spiritual abuse is a view of God’s Law that it is 1) a way to attain a right relationship with God, or 2) a way to live victoriously or to receive blessing. But we are not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal 2:16). “Right relationship with God is a settled gift because of what God did through Christ. You can’t earn it. You can only have it for free” (p. 84).
If the Law neither saves us nor gives an extra blessing, what is its purpose? Books are written about this subject, indeed careers are defined by it. If you have read or thought about this issue and wish to agree, disagree, or clarify, feel free to engage in the comment section below! The authors offer three reasons: 1) to reveal that we have sinned, 2) to convince us that our own efforts will never solve the problem, and 3) to bring us into a grace-full relationship with God based on God’s work of grace through Christ. Paul compared the Law to the tutors of his day who would drive kids to school with a stick. When the faith relationship with Christ begins, the stick-wielding tutor is out of a job.
It is a mistake when spiritual leaders try to drive people to try harder to produce fruit. Trying harder is not what Christ died for. He died to give us rest. Trying harder may be evidence of a leader trying to bring you back under the Law, the very thing from which Christ died to set you free.
Learning to “Do” Christianity
This section implicates “Christian Formula Seminars” as events where people often receive lists of activities to perform, backed up by out-of-context proof-texts, and are sent home with a focus on self and the many ways they do not measure up. However, a clean conscience is not the result of religious behavior. It is Jesus who washes our hearts and consciences clean (Heb 10:19-22).
In a funny-if-it-weren’t-so-sad comment, it is suggested that perhaps Paul had “Christian formula seminars” in mind when he wrote to Timothy, “Certain persons, by swerving from these [love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith], have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” (1 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)
In the interest of brevity, we will note the remaining four topics in passing. The discussion is good and worth the minutes it takes to read. Consideration is given to common verses that are used for each subject.
Self-Denial: the cross at which we die is the cross of Christ, not some leader’s agenda. It is a misuse of “I die daily” to pressure people to constantly try not to feel, to notice, or to want.
Giving: God loves a cheerful giver, and it is right to be generous, but abusive systems apply the pressure of giving to get on God’s good side and giving to stay on God’s good side. This is giving in order to get.
By the way, did you know that the Old Testament tithe would actually be closer to 27% than to 10%? There were actually three successive tithes (this is described on page 89).
Unity and Peace in the Church: There are numerous verses to speak to preserving and maintaining peace but it is a false peace that is maintained by keeping a “can’t-talk” rule and sweeping all the problems under the rug. A true peace-maker is one who is able to help make peace where there is no peace, not one who helps cover up problems and keep them out of view. Furthermore, peace is an issue of the heart, not an issue of smoothing things over.
Church Discipline is a subject that can be misunderstood and misused. The goals that Scripture shows for church discipline are reconciliation and protecting other believers from danger.
Comment:I would like to add my hearty “amen!” to the description on page 83 about asking questions of any particular text, such as: To whom was this text written? What was the original issue being addressed? What result was the original author hoping to achieve? When you have a suggested interpretation for a passage, would this interpretation have made sense to the original audience? These questions would prevent a host of mistaken and unique interpretations (in my mind, “One Accord Power Teams” and “rhemas” are two teachings that would not make it past these questions; there are some other examples here: https://www.recoveringgrace.org/category/twistedscriptures/ ).
If you are interested in reading more about how the correctly read and interpret God’s Word, I highly recommend “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” ( http://amzn.to/NAgGbX )
Questions for discussion:
Note: please feel free to comment about these questions or anything else that stands out to you about this chapter.
The discussion of the purpose of God’s Law can be lively. Do you agree with the three reasons given in this chapter?
Do you agree / disagree with the proposition that “Christian formula seminars” can tend to result in self-occupied or self-righteous people who attempt to clean up a dirty conscience with religious behavior? (In contrast to Hebrews 10:19-22, a clean conscience and pure heart are already ours in Christ)
Do you have any thoughts about appropriate versus inappropriate uses of self-denial?
Have you seen true unity brought about in good ways? Have you ever seen unity or peace-making used as a tool for sweeping problems under the rug?
Good quotes:
In addition to burning people out, pressuring people to “live up to” Scripture leads to a distorted perception of God. He becomes one who is created in the image of the leaders. This is not about helping people gain a deeper understanding of God through the Word, in all its multi-faceted beauty. In fact, a deeper understanding of Scripture on the part of the people would probably expose the whole abusive situation. (p. 83)
In order to minimize the possibility of misusing Scripture, it is helpful to ask several questions about any particular text. To whom was it written? What kinds of problems or issues were facing the people being addressed? What did it mean to the original hearers? Is this a timeless truth, or a specific instruction for a specific situation? Sometimes, even a brief look at the context of the passage being studied would reveal that he point someone is trying to “prove” by the text is completely different than the original intention of the writer. (p. 83)
A true peacemaker, as noted in Matthew 5, is someone who goes where there is no peace and makes peace. It is not someone who covers over disagreement with a cloak of false peace. It is not someone who gets people who are in total disagreement to act as if there were on the same side. For real peace to happen, not just a cease-fire, there has to be a change of heart. (p. 91)
(Click here to go on to Chapter 8)
I know these chapter overviews don't get many comments, but I just wanted to say that they have been extremely helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share. I'm hoping to get the chance to read the book myself eventually.
I agree with Pamela. These articles are sooo helpful! I hope to read the book soon. I look forward to reading these overviews each Thursday...for real. Thank you for being used by God to minister to others.
Hey Matthew, this site has been extraordinarily helpful to my wife and I, thank you for your contribution. I agree with the overall premise of your book review, though I haven't read the book. My biggest concern is that some of the phrases you use seem to be an over-correction. Now I agree with the concept of "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" that this site suggests. But my concern is that in over correcting you or the author of this book might be discredited. For example we should never be driven to fulfill a spiritual leaders extra-biblical criteria for behavior. But on the other hand, there are many passages of scripture that do call believers to live a life that is worthy of their calling, to strive, to cast off, to deny themselves, to be living sacrifices, etc, etc. If that balance isn't managed well then these very apt criticism of Gothard and ATI might be discredited.
Michael, hey, I love hearing that these posts are helpful, thank you so much for saying so.
ML and Pamela, your kinds words are so encouraging! Thank you!
As to over-correcting, a couple thoughts. I do hope I'm being fair to the book. Taken as a whole, I believe that the authors work very hard to maintain a good focus and a good balance. If there is an overstatement on my part that overreaches the book I would want to correct that. If you check the book and find I'm being fair to the book but you believe the message of the book contains an overreaction, perhaps we could dialog about that.
FWIW (and somewhat random), in reading the book, I feel like chapters 10 and 11 balance each other out particularly well. In chapter 10, they discuss the fact that even false leaders present some truth, and that it is in our own best interest to obey the truth (baby and bathwater idea, coming from where Jesus said basically to do as they say, not as they do in Matthew 23:3). Then in chapter 11, they talk about how even the form of Christianity can become a false religion when it becomes just a religion. Some of the things they are saying are strong to be sure, but as they point out on page 155, they are pulling from what Jesus said about false spiritual leaders in Matthew 23:2-15. Some of the things Jesus pointed out about them are: false basis of authority, a double life, placing heavy loads on people, wearing their religion on the outside. Those issues form the backbone of the basic themes addressed in section 2 of the book.
It's worth noting that in Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus ransacked the marketplace they had turned the temple into, and what happens straight away in verse 14? The blind and lame come to be healed. The blind and lame, those who needed help and God the most, were the ones being pushed away and ignored.
For the record, I do believe that sin creates victims and consequences and it is always in our best interest to avoid it; sometimes the pendulum does swing too far in the opposite direction when people react and then over-react to a legalistic background.
I strongly believe that there is "truth in tension" in God's Word and that we need to seek out balance. I believe that the whole counsel of God often presents one facet here, another facet there. And yet, having said that, Jesus himself did not balance himself out so much when attacking the false spiritual leaders of his day. There were consequences to the false leadership: people were wounded and pushed away from God. From personal experience and from what I've witnessed, as strong as this sounds, I will stand up and say that there are false leaders today who may look very good on the outside and who promise much but in real life they leave a wake of wounded people and people who are distant from God.
Apologies for the long comment. I just happened to be recapping section 2 in my own mind and there ya go.
Thanks for your thoughtful response Matthew. I really do agree with you on the whole. Also, I am "anti" Gothard, so I'm not one of those people who sneak in and try to discredit people here. As I said I haven't read the book so my thoughts are to "be taken with a grain of salt" for sure. I guess one an important distinctions is to identify the audience. If this is for people healing form legalism it's great. If on the other hand it's to confront the offenders, I see where they could poke holes in this book based on the review. Thank you for all your time and effort for those who are going through the healing process.
Matthew i so agree with your comments and don't think your unbalanced at all. Galatians 5 places a heavy stroke on those confusing people in regard to the law. Gothards teaching has messed with many people i know and the legalistic nature of it is far removed from the FREEDOM of living justified in CHRIST NOT WORKS ,and being led by the Spirt. REAL Christianity , being led bythe Spirit draws people to Christ, whilst placing heavy burdens on them like Gothardism does , drives people far from God which is very sad and i can see why Jesus would be so angry when he turned the tables over in the temples,and when he sees people being confused and turned away from him and his glorious truth,and when he sees people hurt. Yes Gothard throws some truth in there, that must be what gets well meaning people wanting to be 'good Christians. ' Great point about Jesus saying do what the leaders teach not what they do. That's where not to throw out everything , but where people get mixed up because what exactly DO they throw out? Its subtle. People certainly shouldn't listen and do everything Bill Gothard teachers. The 'two truths and a lie' messes people up so i totally understand why people don't want anything to do with Gothard or his teachings and throw out what good there is with the harmful bad.
By the way, the Bible says where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
People, you don't need Bill Gothard to tell you how to be a Christian. You just need faith in Christ alone to save you from your sins ,prayer and and the Spirit of God to lead you. If you re lucky enough to live in a country with a Bible, then praise God and read your bible too.
Also totally agree with the wrong idea about self and self denial, it doesn't mean you should not feel, should not hurt and should not want.
I think these concepts mess people up psychologically, until they can realise the erroneous beliefs behind them, and heal as a whole person.
Unity in the church...hmmm, not so much these days!!!
The enemy is doing such a great job of dividing christians (i am of paul i am of apollos, etc) that we are completely missing out on legislations in our country that further restrict our freedoms. And it centers on food control.
Before I found this site (and I needed the info on here) I spent 6 years fighting USDA legislation that would have required me to register with the govt, microchip and tell the govt everywhere I go with my horse. (see nonais.org) All privately owned livestock animals were to be included in this insane program that would benefit only corporate ag (who would not have to follow the rules)
Now Utah is using a phony contest to get people to register their gardens, even if it is one pot of tomatoes on the patio. There have also been raw milk raids, huge fines for small offenses (google Dollarhite rabbits) and destroying animals and plants they say are diseased but not. (google mad sheep and fruit tree confiscation)
I know many christians are concerned with raising and storing their own food, be it meat or veggies and the USDA is the new brownshirts that will be used to keep us under control. Food hoarders are looked on suspiciously by govt agencies.
I really hope that another World War scenario does not have to happen to get christians united, loving each other and following God.
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