- Paperback: 235 pages
- Publisher: Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group; First THUS edition (31 Oct 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1556611609
- ISBN-13: 978-1556611605
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 13.5 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 420,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, The
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Product details |
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Book Description
In a breakthrough book first published in 1991, the authors address the dynamics in churches that can ensnare people in legalism, guilt, and begrudging service, keeping them from the grace and joy of God’s kingdom.Written for both those who feel abused and those who may be causing it, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse shows how people get hooked into abusive systems, the impact of controlling leadership on a congregation, and how the abused believer can find rest and recovery.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
David Johnson has been the senior pastor at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota, since 1980. During this time, the church has grown from a congregation of 160 to 3,000 people. A much sought-after speaker, he is a graduate of Bethel College and received his theological training at Bethel Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His Growing in Grace radio broadcast is syndicated internationally. David and his family live in Minnesota.
Jeff VanVonderen is an internationally known speaker on addictions and church and family wellness. He has worked as a counselor in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, as well as in the religious community, taught at the college level, and is the author of several books. He makes his home in California. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book lets people know that though authoritarianism and coercion may be disguised as "spirituality," it's just a lie, plain and simple. If you're fearful and burdened in your church or Christian relationships, take heart - this book can help you find your freedom in Christ. Many people down through the ages have justified terrible atrocities in the name of Christ - this authoritarianism and coercion in the church is only one example. It's important that anyone trapped in such a situation find the strength to walk away from it, and this book can help! Remember, controlling and abusive people in the church DO NOT hold your salvation in their hands -that privilege is reserved for God alone. Unfortunately, it seems that so many people in the church today are consumed by their own pride and lust for power. I, too, was a member of an authoritarian religious group - yes, "WAS." :-))) I got free, and I hope anyone in that situation can get free, too. You can have a vibrant and fulfilling relationship with Christ without having your every move controlled by a pastor, an evangelist, a "discipler," or whatever.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It has been my experience that many Christians who speak of God's grace and mercy in fact live grace-less lives and inflict their grace-lessness on others. The result can be hurting souls that writhe in human-induced torment only to hear that they are resisting the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Or, they walk away from God because they are unable to tolerate the pain caused by the legalistic demands of others. Or, they give up on reading the Bible because their God-given intellect can't reconcile with the narrow, rigid interpretations that are presented as the one and only truth by their spiritual authority figures. This book helped me find a way to feel whole and Christian. While reading of this book, I was often dumbstruck with the authors' ability to describe in accurate detail the source of many hurts, confusions, and fears. (I thought their comments about the children's chorus "Be Careful Little Eyes What You See" were right on target! That song always gave me the willies!) I read this book with a healthy dose of skepticism. I resisted and continue to resist the tendency of some people to define themselves as a "survivor" of this or that type of abuse. Abuse of any kind follows a continuum. My personal experience wasn't nearly as extreme as some of those related in this book. I did not end this book feeling more convinced that I was a victim than when I began. I simply understood the dynamics and subtleties of the abuse more clearly. I recommend this book highly. I don't know that folks who participate in inflicting spiritual pain on others will recognize their behavior in this book. So often, they have the best of intentions and sincerely believe that there way is the (only) right way. But I think folks on the receiving end of abuse will have many "aha!!" moments while reading. Shalom and God Bless!
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Any book dealing with the subject of abuse is highly likely to ignite controversy. Johnson and Van Vonderon tackle the tricky subject of abuse in the supposed sanctuary of the church with tack and understanding. Whether you're a church leader or member it's well worth reading this book. Invariably those in leadership will find the book lacking. Those recovering from a period of fellowship under abusive and controlling leadership will find it a breath of fresh air. Such a division of thought is obvious depending from where you look. Strange though it seems it is demonstrably true that abuse occurs in situations where trust is a premium quality - child care homes, caring for the mentally ill or infirmed - why not then in the church. Whether leaders like it or not many have abused the trust placed in them by the members and have quite literally become too big for their boots. This book has the courage to expose this abuse and should be welcomed for that alone. If a leader is not abusive, they have nothing to worry about. Maybe though they protest too much and would prefer the church stay silent whilst people suffer. The authors do not agree, neither do I. A must read for anyone who thinks they are in a fellowship where abusive practices are going on.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Passionate and Compassionate
the authors ride tandem in this very passionate but compassionate book. Spritual abuse at the hands of a self appointed hierarchial leaders in christian churches is far too common... Read more
Published 13 months ago by The Beansters
A Real Awakening
This book provided a valuable insight into the dynamics that are so common in our churches today. This made me feel that I wasn't going insane but helped my identify a system that... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by Jackie in Devizes
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
A really good book that will help you get free from any kind of abuse but more specifically Spiritual, thought provoking and weel researched. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2009 by L. Myers
subtle power of spiritual abuse
I did not enjoy this book at all. It was full of theory and had all the seemingly correct, but nevertheless unhelpful, answers without any gentleness. Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by callie
Read this book if your yoke is heavy
The basic message of this book is simple but important: God does not weigh his children down with guilt, God does not work his children to death, God does not tell his children to... Read more
Published on 17 May 2002 by Pamela B. Garrud
Handle with care: May be dangerous.
This book is written from a very persuasive standpoint. The book ends with the assumption that, by now, you must realize you've been abused and gives you two choices: flight or... Read more
Published on 7 April 1999
The attack on God's annointed continues.
Finally, disgruntled church members have a cause to rally for--spiritual abuse. This modern age of rights has spawned a new generation of Christians who refuse to accept the... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 1999
Free to Flee! I feel like I'm born again "again"
For years I have fought labels like rebel and "Jezebel" ~ I felt like I was hearing God and being obedient to His call. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 1999
If you felt you were never "good enough" read this book
I have been searching for answers to many of the problems in my life. Why didn't I feel confident, why did my family make me feel like I was never good enough, and why did I feel... Read more
Published on 31 Jan 1999
Incredibly accurate description of a dysfunctional system.
This book will set you free to become who GOD made you to be, not who a self-proclaimed "prophet" says you should be! Read more
Published on 10 July 1998
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
