The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse

No one should leave church feeling manipulated, controlled, shamed, or condemned. But places of shelter and encouragement can become abusive if spiritual leaders begin to use their authority to meet their needs for importance, power, or spiritual gratification. Here you'll discover how to identify an abusive church and also how to break free from its destructive legalism. Topics covered include:

How spiritual abuse develops--and why those under its grip often don't see it

The subtle ways that leaders and systems "hook" and control believers, robbing them of their joy in Christ

Scriptural help in recognizing healthy spiritual relationships

Effective strategies for escaping abusive situations

Insightful, practical, and solidly grounded in Scripture, this book has what you need to recover a grace-filled relationship with God and His church.

Average Rating:

8 of 8 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Lori Hand (Pittstown, NJ), January 20, 2010

This is a book everyone should read from lay people to pastors. Everyone should be aware these systems are out there to rob God's people of relationship with Him.

Reviewed by David Dunn (Spring Grove, PA), March 31, 2009

The book reveals so much as to what is happening in some of our churches and unfortunately, our families as well.

Reviewed by Belle Marr (West Lafayette, IN), August 29, 2008

This is a must read for anyone, especially those who have been spiritually abused. Very well written.

Reviewed by Bill Sebastian (Telephone, Texas), July 04, 2008

Outstanding! A must read for all church leaders as well as the congregations. Johnson and Van Vonderen are to be commended for putting such a complex subject into easily understood format (written to an “average person” reading level). I especially like the way Scripture references are put in their proper contexts. As a church member for 66 years, and a believer for 56 of those years, the book has been a real “burden lifter” for me. I highly recommended it.

Reviewed by Reverend Benjamen S. Long (Cuyahoga Falls, OH), July 14, 2007

Freedom in Christ...! There can be no doubt whatsoever that most, if not all of the troubles in the Church today are due to a departure from the the Word of God as the absolute sole authority in all matters of true Christian Faith and Practice...replaced with "man made" rules and regulations. Our focus on "who" we are to worship, has been doggedly and subtlety shifted to "how" we worship...leaving so many lost, confused, angry people in it's wake. This book will go a long way in returning so many of the lost souls who have been forced out of the church by the "leaders" who are focused more on the bottom line than the Great Commission. If you have any reservations about purchasing this book...please let me help in dispelling them. Don't wait another moment...get your copy today...and begin shake off the shackles of "foolishness"...return to the time when you could freely enjoy the "joy of your salvation"

Reviewed by Kathleen (Maine), May 26, 2007

After being affiliated with a larger church that had much controversy attached to it, our church disaffiliated, yet still lived in the "doctrine" of this cult. It was suggested out congregation read this book, and the people that are reading this are getting healed/delivered, and set free from the abusive, legalistic (even though grace and mercy were attached to the name). This is a must have for anyone in or has been in a spiritually abusive system. The LORD has healed so much in my life and I've never had a freer walk with HIM.

Reviewed by treesegk (Winston Salem, NC), December 07, 2006

I stumbled upon this book at our local bookstore and knew it was meant for me to read. Our family has been "freeing ourselves" from a spiritually abusive church for some time now and I needed to understand what I was dealing with...the anger/rage, sadness, betrayal and on and on. I felt as though my walk with God had been perverted by my being abused for so long. Ultimately, this book has helped me see and deal with areas that I could not even detect myself. We are still healing from our family's ordeal with 12 yrs of abuse, but with this insightful book we have made great strides on the road to recovery. Thank you so much for writing what few others have the guts to right. I highly recommend this to anyone that has suffered from manipulation and lies in the name of God. God bless you.

Reviewed by Knights Templar (Mn), March 13, 2006

Humanistic Psychology at it's very best Alfred Adler would be Proud

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