Pastors, church leaders and biblical counselors, this is a much needed resource you need to get along with Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue.
Darby A. Strickland. Domestic Abuse: Help for the Sufferer. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, May 31st 2018. 56 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
This is from a biblical counseling series called “Resources for Changing Lives” printed by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing. The author has written two booklets in this series on domestic abuse and this specific work is addressed to the abused spouse. I am glad that is the case since the booklet covers a difficult topic that many pastors and churches might not have thought through about seeing the various controversies in recent years with pastors, churches and spiritual leaders and how they addressed or neglected the issue of abuse.
This booklet is extremely helpful. Writing to the abused spouse it addresses the question of whether or not one is abused. The diagnostic questions is very helpful and while many people think of domestic abuse only in terms of physical violence this booklet was helpful in breaking down abuse into five general types. The author shows great awareness that abused spouse would be confused and there’s a discussion on that too in a section titled “Cutting Through Confusion.” For such a dark subject the author is able to give readers ray of hope beginning with the booklet covering “What God says about Oppression.” Also the booklet’s discussion about the heart of the oppressor is very revealing and helpful in understanding the motivation and strategies of abusers. The author also realizes that a mere booklet is not enough to deal with abuse and it has practical discussions about whether one need to flee, the decision to flee and the need to have others as support.
Again as I mentioned in the opening paragraph this is a wonderful resource. I would rate this booklet and the companion booklet addressing how to help abused relationship to be the best works in the “Resources for Changing Lives” series. I highly recommend it.
[…] beyond mere syllogisms? Check out Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue for starters and Domestic Abuse: Help for the Sufferer as a resource for the abused spouse. Here you also want to get others help but at least you want […]
Glad to see this resource is out there for abused spouses. I wish there are more books like this than the shallow nonsense such as Osteen’s junk
These resources on domestic abuse are so important for pastors. I’m reminded of when I was a deacon and had absolutely zero training regarding spotting abuse or what to do if I did spot it.
Speaking of deacons I actually recommended this to one of my deacons. Abuse is too risky to not just leave it to the pastors to know how to properly respond and the more who are equipped the better.
Good to hear you are equipping the deacons! I look back to those times with amazement as we were asked to minister to groups of families with no guidance or training.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog!
Yankee Whiskey Bravo 🙂
Good stuff, Slim.
Thanks for sharing this book SlimJim, what a heartbreaking topic 😕
Have you thought of doing a book for the abuser. I live in a really awful situation and I am of the opinion hurt people, hurt people. They dont mean to, it’s how they grew up, usually. The situation gets worse, they feel condemned, they dont know where to go or how to get help. SAD but its wives and kids that are left trying to make sense of it all.
Nikki,
I was actually planning to write a counseling outline addressed to the abuser since it seems most resources are directed to the ones abused but there is a need as you pointed out for the abuser. Stay tune!
its so hard getting them to want help so guess it wont be a best seller! Maybe how to help or direct the abuser? just a suggestion xx
Wow I’m going to get this resource. Thank you.
[…] abuse. Check out Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue for starters for yourself and Domestic Abuse: Help for the Sufferer as a resource for the abused […]