This book aims to bring spiritual abuse to the center of clergy attention, invites them to consider this very real dysfunction in the church today, and asks them to decide whether they and their church community can be part of the solution to this malady, rather than part of the problem. In my e book spiritual recovery from narcissistic abuse i will show you how you can cut those energetic ties to your past, recover your soul, and take your life back. Recovering from churches that abuse when ronald enroth wrote the bestselling book churches that abuse, he touched a nerve with many people who had experienced the pain inflicted by fringe churches and religious groups having authoritarian or other hurtful styles. Id recommend the book the subtle power of spiritual abuse by david johnson and jeff vanvonderen. Enroths 1992 and 1994 publications, churches that abuse and recovering from churches that abuse. A helpful list for those who have been hurt in a church setting. Drug abuse treatment outcome studies funded by the national institute on drug abuse found religious and spiritual support as motivating factors in successful recovery simpson 2003. Wouldnt it be great if it was as simple as looking it up in a dictionary. Popular spiritual abuse books goodreads share book. Purchase your books on spiritual abuse as well as other items through links on our book and dvd pages or in our blog posts. Barb orlowski her book on recovery from spiritual abuse has been printed and will be available soon. A piece of truly excellent news reached me recently from dr.
In recovering from religious abuse, watts provides a practical 11step recovery program separated by weeks and days to include daily readings, prayer, journaling guidance, and scriptures for reflectionall of which guide readers through a journey of understanding, healing, and lasting recovery. The 12 step movement, with its focus on a higher power, can be particularly challenging. According to the world drugs report of 2012, an estimated 230 million people worldwide struggle with some form of addiction. 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 gods.
This is the foundation for being able to eventually forgive the abuser. The original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymous ebook. Many people have borrowed the definition of the term spiritual abuse, found in the book, the subtle power of spiritual abuse, by david johnson and jeff vanvonderen. Many people with addictions are put off getting help because they have heard that there is a spiritual element to recovery, and they do not feel that they can function within a spiritual framework. Some abuse is spiritual abuse because it takes place in a spiritual placecontext. Spiritual abuse, the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the christian church, is a complex issue. This addition would have helped round out a more holistic conceptualized picture of how people are abused and how they might best understand and experience recovery. Their spiritual journey shows how one may grow through this devastating experience. This book helps to recognize spiritual abusive systems and also shows ways how to. This book is a result of the authors extensive doctoral research on the topic of religious abuse and recovery, identified as originating from evangelical, pentecostal. Learning to risk posted by steve smith on january 5, 2017 in uncategorized i, like many survivors of spiritually abusive churches or cults, experience trust issues and am generally riskaverse. Jan 01, 2010 spiritual abuse, the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the christian church, is a complex issue. Afterward the abused person must learn the true nature of gods grace, love and forgiveness. Just as emotional abuse affects one emotionally, while physical abuse inflicts pain and bodily injury on its victim, spiritual abuse affects one spiritually.
While addiction is slavery to a cruel god, it can also be the pathway to a deeper spirituality than is experienced without it. I hope kens work gets distributed far and wide and is a great help to the church and the spiritual survivor community. Spiritual abuse is similar to emotional abuse because the emotions are very intertwined to a persons spirituality. The common denominator between the two is that the parent and the spiritual leader are both the most intimate caregivers, and the boundaries they cross are the most intimate. Gods pathways to healing for male sexual abuse survivors ebook andrew j. Why is spirituality an essential part of a recovery program. But i have received enough emails and questions to warrant another, separate post covering other symptoms of spiritual abuse.
While we humans are experts at finding ways to place ourselves into spiritual bondage, it is this very spiritual woundedness that becomes the path to our healing and recovery. If you are longing to have a relationship with god that works, this book can show you the way. One reason is that the person who has the greatest potential for helping us recover from spiritual abuse is the person we feel most alienated from. Far too often, we make assumptions about why people stop going to church and what happens afterwards. Barbara m orlowski spiritual abuse, the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the christian church, is a complex issue. And sometimes it is abuse but the person who has been made to feel crazy for so long cant see it for what it is. Spiritual recovery from narcissistic abuse is a powerful book providing methods and tools you can use right now to recover from the painful symptoms of narcissistic abuse. Mar 24, 2012 general resources on spiritual abuse and recovery as of march 2012 ive been working on this referenceresource list for a while now. A list of books dealing with cults and spiritual abuse, grace and legalism, and issues of recovery.
Spiritual abuse, often unacknowledged and unrecognized, can generate shame and lead a person to silence their individuality, their opinions, and the self. The first book i ever picked up on the topic of spiritual abuse, aptly titled the subtle power of spiritual abuse by jeff van vonderen and david johnson 1991, highlighted this idea. Its a select list but im trying to get it more and more comprehensive over time. For ma it is commonly believed that people are turning away from religion. I really liked this book because it focuses a lot on her spiritual crisis and how it related to her alcoholism. Their spiritual journey shows how one may grow through this devastating. I once linked to an excellent article by mary demuth which talks about 10 signs of spiritual abuse. Help for victims of psychological and spiritual abuse. In my clinical opinion, if we walk into a bar and you show me the roughest, toughest bully in the place, you are also showing me the person who is hurting the most. Spiritual abuse the national association for christian. First published in 1989, dan allenders the wounded heart has helped hundreds of thousands of people come to terms with sexual abuse in their past.
The subtle power of spiritual abuse 97807642070 by david. And spiritual abuse happens when a leader with spiritual authority uses that authority to coerce, control or exploit a follower, thus causing spiritual wounds. For professionals, family and survivors of abusive groups and relationships. Spirituality at the recovery village spirituality and the search for life meaning are integral parts of treatment at the recovery village. This is a good primer on basic level entry psychology and the twelve steps as applied to the problem of spiritual abuse in the church.
Diederich is convinced that god is the god of resurrection and restoration. Insights on spiritual abuse recovery christian feminism today. First, this book is for those conscientious christians who are caught in the vicious trap of spiritual abuse perpetrated by authoritarian pastors who rule over their congregations, subtly suggesting that disobedience to the church and to those in spiritual authority is disobedience to god. Recovery from spiritual abuse is part of a 15title series, life recovery guides, in which christian counselors juanita and dale ryan provide help and encouragement for people hurt by life in one way or another. If spiritual is used in the original sense as religious then the answer is certainly no. Are you finding no matter what you do that you just cant get over or past a relationship. For this inaugural book list post, i thought it best to start with the books i think make up a great starting point in terms of building a holistic recovery. Eventually my faith brought me to my knees and i began my journey of sobriety after having a spiritual experience.
Now, more than twentyfive years later, allender has written a brandnew book on the subject that takes into account recent discoveries about the lasting physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual ramifications of sexual abuse. It is the taking advantage of vulnerable and impressionable people looking for spiritual guidance and acceptance. Spiritual abuse watchman fellowship, georgia office. Tips for working a twelve step program of recovery ebook. You dont need to have a paypal account in order to donate. That approach is outlined in the book and still practiced by many in a. Spirituality and addiction recovery sometimes seem to go hand in hand. The use of spiritual truths or biblical texts to do harm is another form of spiritual abuse. This book shows how people processed their grief after experiencing spiritual abuse in their local church and how. Christian resources for overcoming the pain and scars of sexual abuse.
The first book i ever picked up on the topic of spiritual abuse, aptly titled the subtle power of spiritual abuse by jeff van vonderen and david. Spiritual abuse the national association for christian recovery. It is as if there is a shelf where all your doubts and misgivings are placed while you are in that group. But the most helpful resource on the spiritual dimension of recovery remains a. This book shows how people processed their grief after experiencing spiritual. Spiritual abuse, however, goes beyond the emotions and hits hard at the spiritual well being of the individual. Defining religious abuse as the use of spiritual authority to manipulate, harm, or use another person for personal gain, this practical stepbystep recovery manual takes readers on a journey that helps them fully realize the extent of the impact of their religious abuse. Those who have experienced it, know it is powerful enough to cause them to question their relationship with god, indeed, the very existence of god. This book shows how people processed their grief after experiencing spiritual abuse in their local church and how they rediscovered spiritual harmony.
This book is a result of extensive doctoral research on the topic of religious abuse and recovery as identified as originating from evangelical, pentecostal or. Recognizing and escaping spiritual manipulation and false spiritual authority within the church by david johnson and. It is the result of a spiritual leader or system that tries to control, manipulate, or dominate a person. Although much of the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the spiritual components of aanaca is correlational, 3,4 the resonance that many persons who are recovering from substance abuse find in the 12step model suggests that spiritual issues are relevant to understanding patients viewpoints and for planning treatment. Spiritual abuse victims share the same symptoms as victims of incest. A spiritual abuse survivor shares her personal story a longtime reader recovering from spiritual abuse recently shared her story with me and has given me permission to share it with you. Jul 31, 2018 while we humans are experts at finding ways to place ourselves into spiritual bondage, it is this very spiritual woundedness that becomes the path to our healing and recovery. Oct 01, 2005 online shopping from a great selection at books store. Watts does a great job of sharing stories that people can relate to, however, ive found the book a little tedious and boring to read. Chronology of books on spiritual abuse and recovery futuristguy.
Ten major symptoms of spiritual abuse liberty for captives. Orlowskis definition of spiritual abuse comes from one of her primary sources, ronald m. Therefore the damage is far greater, it strikes at the very soul of a person. Resources for finding spirituality and life meaning in. Describing the process of making her decision to leave, patricia said. Spiritual abuse takes place when leaders to whom people look for guidance and spiritual nurture use their positions to manipulate, control and dominate. There at my desk, i finally understood how my friends abuse was possible. The subtle power of spiritual abuse christian book distributors. Recognizing and escaping spiritual manipulation and false spiritual authority within the church.
Oct 07, 2018 and sometimes it is abuse but the person who has been made to feel crazy for so long cant see it for what it is. In his book, healing spiritual abuse, author ken blue explains, spiritual abuse happens when a leader with spiritual authority uses that authority to coerce, control or exploit a follower, thus causing spiritual wounds. Im going to issue a trigger warning for content related to. A higher power, spirituality, and addiction recovery. When ronald enroth wrote the bestselling book churches that abuse. Spiritual recovery from narcissistic abuse is 100 pages of important transforming information to help you begin taking the right action today, that will empower you and change your life. Jeff vanvonderen, coauthor of the classic book the subtle power of spiritual abuse, defines. But i think that recovery from spiritual abuse is in some ways the most difficult of recovery journeys.
With that in mind, heres a look at seven mustread books that speak to the heart of addiction. This is just one example of how the spiritual aspect of recovery has helped transform my life. Sexual abuse by a priest or pastor, for example, is clearly a form of spiritual abuse in addition to sexual abuse. This book offers a thoughtful look at the topic of spiritual recovery from clergy abuse through the eyes of those who have experienced it. Dynamic research on finding a place of wholeness by barbara m. Though the road to recovery isnt easy, in the end, its always worth the struggle. She is a christian, as am i, and i often battled in my head with being a christian and being an alcoholic. Oct 24, 2019 many people with addictions are put off getting help because they have heard that there is a spiritual element to recovery, and they do not feel that they can function within a spiritual framework. Recognizing and escaping spiritual manipulation and false spiritual authority with.