Domestic Abuse and Theology
Where domestic abuse is covered up in a church, this is almost always underpinned by theology.
This is a really difficult thing to deal with. Theology is often held dear and Christians have even been known to fight over it…!
When a theology keeps one group of people in a position of power, those invested in it will cling to it regardless: regardless of the damage it does to ‘others’; regardless of the harm it does to the innocent; regardless of it costing lives.
This happened when Scripture was used to justify the slave trade. A theology was developed that kept the white man in a position of power. The fact that millions of innocent people were condemned to a life of abuse and torture and that countless lives were lost did nothing to persuade the adherents to re-think their theology.
A similar situation exists in today’s churches. Certain theological standpoints render people blind to what is actually happening and to the sin of abuse in the church.
What parts of your theology do you think might be blinding you to the reality of domestic abuse in the church?
