The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, Third Edition

This is a fabulous book whether you need to solve little problems or big problems. This is a must read book for Christians. It is biblically accurate, encouraging, and life changing. As far as the allegations that its not safe if you are in an abusive relationship, that is simply not true. The book VERY clearly discusses that in an abusive relationship, it is important to seek help, how to seek help, and tells you to notify authorities. It does follow biblical principals direcctly from Matthew 18. I have read this book, continue to read it again and again, and am growing each time I pick it up. Very thankful.

In your own product information is the line "there's not really any difference that can't be overcome with the right perspective" and yet you say this book does NOT encourage nor condone staying in an abusive relationship? So not EVERY "difference" CAN be "overcome" with the "right" perspective? Which is it? Is abuse a "difference?" That is a euphemism. Of COURSE you will have a "difference" with the abuser. So what "right perspective" will STOP abuse? This book is dangerous to those in the fog of confusion, caught between their own spirit that says "Something is definitely seriously wrong with these behaviors I am seeing" and a man-made-up "This is what God's Word has to say" about it. Why do you want her to try to deal with evil? The vows were love honor and cherish, not malign, lie to, manipulate, physically harm, yell, scream at, criticize and demean.

In this review, I want to also respond to the Persistent Widow. It is unfortunate this person had a bad experience, but her experience must have been from her and/or her church misapplying the principles in this book. This book does NOT encourage people to remain in an abusive situation. In fact, it encourages the use of the legal system where abuse is present. If the Persistent Widow was in a physically abusive situation (and we know that physical abuse is against the law) she should have removed herself and had her husband processed through the legal system, while still adhering to the biblical principles of forgiveness and the possibility of reconciliation, which this book encourages. I just wanted to make this point clear so that others are not misled by what the Bible teaches, which is the foundation for this book.

I found the book to be extremely informative, biblically sound, and useful for teaching/reminding how much reconciliation is the heart of God. But as with anything that is righteous, it must also be applied wisely.

Sometimes a bit too technical but a good resource for Deacons and Pastors who need to help people through conflicts. I found it hard to stay with but I learned a lot that I can use in the future.

I had been in verbally and mentally abusive marriage for many years, and as the abuse continued to escalate, I came to my church for help. They recommended Peacemaker mediation in which this book was required reading and the mediation focused on this book's principles. Through the counseling, my husband was empowered and began seriously threatening my life because of it. Matters became much worse for me with this counseling. If you are in an abusive situation, do NOT agree to go to any counseling with the Peacemaker book as it's focus. I fared much better at the local abuse crisis center. At least they took me seriously and offered protection. Some relationships are not safe.

For an accurate review of this book in domestic violence settings, internet search these key words...Peacemaker Crippen.