The Gospel Coalition is at it again...
Apparently, The Gospel Coalition has responded to an excellent, but not-so-favorable, article on domestic abuse recently released in Australia, by publishing an "open letter" in which they appear to condemn abusers.
:headdesk: :headdesk: :headdesk:
There are so many problems with this letter, I don't even know where to begin. They may be hard for most readers to spot, but nonetheless, they most certainly exist.
Let's start with the intended audience of this "open letter" - the abusers. Why does Mr. Campbell address the people least likely to even read such a post, let alone admit that it applies to them? It is a well-known fact that abusers will always seek to shift the blame for their actions onto others, and avoid accepting responsibility for their behaviors at all costs. Why does he not address it instead to the victims of abuse? The ones who are hurting and desperate? Those who could use public support and encouragement from a large religious organization such as TGC?
Also, why does this author highlight the following point from the original ABC article as the focus of his letter?
"The research Baird draws on shows that conservative Protestant men who are regular church attenders are the LEAST likely demographic to abuse their wives out of any group, religious or not."
Why is that the most important point for him to emphasize? That was certainly not the main point of Baird's research. Why does he say that the cases of abuse he has dealt with in his congregation have been relatively few? He gives a very brief mention of the fact that some may have "slipped under his radar," but states that it isn't likely, because most of the men he knows are loyal attendees, and therefore godly, loving leaders in their homes. He seems to be implying, "Others may have this problem in their churches, but we don't! Praise God!" In contrast to this assertion, most of the worst abusers I know are deeply religious (on the surface) and attend church regularly.
He also makes the very dangerous assumption that abusers are capable of genuine repentance and conversion. This is simply not true. You cannot love an abuser enough to make him change. Even calling out abuse, in a very generalized fashion, and telling an abuser he must repent, is merely playing word games at best. Abusers refuse to see themselves as the problem, because doing so would require them to acknowledge the truth and be held accountable. True repentance requires exposure, and that is the one thing they fear and avoid at all costs. Cases in which an abuser has a genuine change of heart are EXTREMELY rare, and that change only comes after an extended period of being held to very strict boundaries and suffering appropriately harsh consequences when those boundaries are violated. In other words, they must hit rock bottom before they are willing to repent, and most pastors will not take the necessary steps to help this process take place. It is much easier to ignore the real problem and tell the victim to "love more," "pray harder," and "submit better."
I find it extremely telling that this post completely ignores one of the main points of Baird's article. That is, that the epidemic of domestic abuse in the Church is directly and indisputably connected to teachings of male headship and female submission. How convenient, considering that TGC itself is staunchly "complementarian" (i.e., patriarchal) - a fact that is completely missing from this letter. TGC is also very closely connected with The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood (CBMW), another religious organization specifically dedicated to the preservation of so-called "biblical gender roles."
He even slips in a not-so-subtle barb against feminists and egalitarians, stating, "Maybe there is a tendency in our culture to dissolve differences between men and women. It is true that our culture devalues both headship and service; they are assumed to be evils that inhibit our individual freedom." No, Mr. Campbell, feminists and egalitarians do not promote androgyny. Nor do we devalue the ideas of true leadership or servanthood. We simply seek to affirm that all human beings are of equal value and importance, in the home, the church, and society, regardless of gender. And yes, teaching that male headship and female submission is the only "godly" way for society to function is evil, because it creates and upholds the very imbalance of power required for abuse to thrive in a relationship. Gender equality is the only way to guarantee the true freedom of both men and women! (/rant)
Many associated with TGC teach the "permanence of marriage" as well. To them, divorce is the scourge of society and always wrong under any circumstances, even in cases of infidelity or abuse. They openly condemn those who teach otherwise as "not upholding the sanctity of marriage" and "destroying the family". Marriage itself is more important to this group than people themselves, and they defend and promote this view at every opportunity, regardless of the spiritual and even physical harm it may cause to victims.
I have a few theories on why TGC posted such a quick and seemingly accordant response to Baird's article. I believe this post is meant to be a strategic PR move, especially considering that a prominent TGC pastor -John Piper- was quoted in Baird's article in a very negative light, and rightly so. Piper is notorious for his extremely harmful teachings on and responses to abuse. Many other pastors connected with or supported by TGC have been exposed for either committing abuses themselves, colluding to cover up cases of abuse in their respective congregations, or teaching spiritually abusive doctrines that promote abuse. Nate Sparks has written two excellent open letters to TGC, both of which contain extremely detailed documentation of each situation and the prominent TGC-affiliated leaders involved in them. The first letter is here, and the second is here. If you dare to read these brutally honest accounts, prepare to be deeply disturbed at the level of the corruption that exists within this organization! The Spiritual Sounding Board blog also has a wealth of information on TGC and related persons of interest.
TGC was also at the forefront of a recent doctrinal debate, in which they -and many other supporters of male headship doctrines- sought to re-define the traditional doctrine of the Holy Trinity to better support their own ideas of gender hierarchy. They even succeeded in influencing the translation of Genesis 3:16 in the newest ESV translation to reflect their heretical views! Searching for information on the ESS/ERAS debate will bring up a host of articles, posts, and comments related to this subject.
Overall, this letter from Mr. Campbell feels like an under-handed attempt by TGC to:
1) claim that they are innocent of colluding with abusers;
2) insist that they truly do support abuse victims and seek to help them;
3) deny that their pet doctrines on gender are in any way related to domestic abuse in the church; and,
4) deflect any arguments to the contrary.
"See? We openly condemn abuse and abusers! We're one of the good guys, too!"
Not so fast, TGC. Considering your history, your doctrines, and the people associated with your organization, I will need more proof that you actually mean what you say, and that you're going to back up your words with actions. (It seems appropriate, yet ironic, to point out that it is also a common tactic of abusers to make empty claims and promises to make themselves look better, but that they have no intention of keeping.) Also, I remember that horrible, passive-aggressive, yet vitriolic post one of your pastors recently wrote, back-handedly labeling those who dare to call out abuse in the church "broken wolves". Not a great track record, by any means.
Does this letter mean that TGC will stop supporting and/or associating with ministries, pastors, and other Christian leaders who have purposely mishandled cases of abuse? Will they publicly condemn those in their midst who are guilty of committing abuse? Will they humbly apologize to those who have been harmed by their decisions and doctrines, and seek to make amends to the victims? Will they admit that their teachings on gender roles have contributed to a culture of abuse in the home and church? Will they change their stance on divorce and admit that their teachings and advice on marriage have wrongly kept innocent victims in bondage to their abusers? Will they openly recant those false doctrines and instead seek to teach an accurate, balanced interpretation of Scripture?
:sigh: Not likely. If TGC has proven anything over recent years, it is that they value appearance over substance, institutions over people, self-righteousness over justice, the praises of men over the praises of God, and the rewards of ill-gotten gain over true riches in heaven. And sadly, as good as it might sound on the surface, this "open letter" is just another indication that nothing has changed.
__________________________________________________________
For more information on the connection between patriarchal beliefs and abuse, please read this excellent post by anti-abuse advocate Ashley Easter.
If you believe that "biblical" complementarianism is not the same thing as oppressive patriarchy, click here.
:headdesk: :headdesk: :headdesk:
There are so many problems with this letter, I don't even know where to begin. They may be hard for most readers to spot, but nonetheless, they most certainly exist.
Let's start with the intended audience of this "open letter" - the abusers. Why does Mr. Campbell address the people least likely to even read such a post, let alone admit that it applies to them? It is a well-known fact that abusers will always seek to shift the blame for their actions onto others, and avoid accepting responsibility for their behaviors at all costs. Why does he not address it instead to the victims of abuse? The ones who are hurting and desperate? Those who could use public support and encouragement from a large religious organization such as TGC?
Also, why does this author highlight the following point from the original ABC article as the focus of his letter?
"The research Baird draws on shows that conservative Protestant men who are regular church attenders are the LEAST likely demographic to abuse their wives out of any group, religious or not."
Why is that the most important point for him to emphasize? That was certainly not the main point of Baird's research. Why does he say that the cases of abuse he has dealt with in his congregation have been relatively few? He gives a very brief mention of the fact that some may have "slipped under his radar," but states that it isn't likely, because most of the men he knows are loyal attendees, and therefore godly, loving leaders in their homes. He seems to be implying, "Others may have this problem in their churches, but we don't! Praise God!" In contrast to this assertion, most of the worst abusers I know are deeply religious (on the surface) and attend church regularly.
He also makes the very dangerous assumption that abusers are capable of genuine repentance and conversion. This is simply not true. You cannot love an abuser enough to make him change. Even calling out abuse, in a very generalized fashion, and telling an abuser he must repent, is merely playing word games at best. Abusers refuse to see themselves as the problem, because doing so would require them to acknowledge the truth and be held accountable. True repentance requires exposure, and that is the one thing they fear and avoid at all costs. Cases in which an abuser has a genuine change of heart are EXTREMELY rare, and that change only comes after an extended period of being held to very strict boundaries and suffering appropriately harsh consequences when those boundaries are violated. In other words, they must hit rock bottom before they are willing to repent, and most pastors will not take the necessary steps to help this process take place. It is much easier to ignore the real problem and tell the victim to "love more," "pray harder," and "submit better."
I find it extremely telling that this post completely ignores one of the main points of Baird's article. That is, that the epidemic of domestic abuse in the Church is directly and indisputably connected to teachings of male headship and female submission. How convenient, considering that TGC itself is staunchly "complementarian" (i.e., patriarchal) - a fact that is completely missing from this letter. TGC is also very closely connected with The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood (CBMW), another religious organization specifically dedicated to the preservation of so-called "biblical gender roles."
He even slips in a not-so-subtle barb against feminists and egalitarians, stating, "Maybe there is a tendency in our culture to dissolve differences between men and women. It is true that our culture devalues both headship and service; they are assumed to be evils that inhibit our individual freedom." No, Mr. Campbell, feminists and egalitarians do not promote androgyny. Nor do we devalue the ideas of true leadership or servanthood. We simply seek to affirm that all human beings are of equal value and importance, in the home, the church, and society, regardless of gender. And yes, teaching that male headship and female submission is the only "godly" way for society to function is evil, because it creates and upholds the very imbalance of power required for abuse to thrive in a relationship. Gender equality is the only way to guarantee the true freedom of both men and women! (/rant)
Many associated with TGC teach the "permanence of marriage" as well. To them, divorce is the scourge of society and always wrong under any circumstances, even in cases of infidelity or abuse. They openly condemn those who teach otherwise as "not upholding the sanctity of marriage" and "destroying the family". Marriage itself is more important to this group than people themselves, and they defend and promote this view at every opportunity, regardless of the spiritual and even physical harm it may cause to victims.
I have a few theories on why TGC posted such a quick and seemingly accordant response to Baird's article. I believe this post is meant to be a strategic PR move, especially considering that a prominent TGC pastor -John Piper- was quoted in Baird's article in a very negative light, and rightly so. Piper is notorious for his extremely harmful teachings on and responses to abuse. Many other pastors connected with or supported by TGC have been exposed for either committing abuses themselves, colluding to cover up cases of abuse in their respective congregations, or teaching spiritually abusive doctrines that promote abuse. Nate Sparks has written two excellent open letters to TGC, both of which contain extremely detailed documentation of each situation and the prominent TGC-affiliated leaders involved in them. The first letter is here, and the second is here. If you dare to read these brutally honest accounts, prepare to be deeply disturbed at the level of the corruption that exists within this organization! The Spiritual Sounding Board blog also has a wealth of information on TGC and related persons of interest.
TGC was also at the forefront of a recent doctrinal debate, in which they -and many other supporters of male headship doctrines- sought to re-define the traditional doctrine of the Holy Trinity to better support their own ideas of gender hierarchy. They even succeeded in influencing the translation of Genesis 3:16 in the newest ESV translation to reflect their heretical views! Searching for information on the ESS/ERAS debate will bring up a host of articles, posts, and comments related to this subject.
Overall, this letter from Mr. Campbell feels like an under-handed attempt by TGC to:
1) claim that they are innocent of colluding with abusers;
2) insist that they truly do support abuse victims and seek to help them;
3) deny that their pet doctrines on gender are in any way related to domestic abuse in the church; and,
4) deflect any arguments to the contrary.
"See? We openly condemn abuse and abusers! We're one of the good guys, too!"
Not so fast, TGC. Considering your history, your doctrines, and the people associated with your organization, I will need more proof that you actually mean what you say, and that you're going to back up your words with actions. (It seems appropriate, yet ironic, to point out that it is also a common tactic of abusers to make empty claims and promises to make themselves look better, but that they have no intention of keeping.) Also, I remember that horrible, passive-aggressive, yet vitriolic post one of your pastors recently wrote, back-handedly labeling those who dare to call out abuse in the church "broken wolves". Not a great track record, by any means.
Does this letter mean that TGC will stop supporting and/or associating with ministries, pastors, and other Christian leaders who have purposely mishandled cases of abuse? Will they publicly condemn those in their midst who are guilty of committing abuse? Will they humbly apologize to those who have been harmed by their decisions and doctrines, and seek to make amends to the victims? Will they admit that their teachings on gender roles have contributed to a culture of abuse in the home and church? Will they change their stance on divorce and admit that their teachings and advice on marriage have wrongly kept innocent victims in bondage to their abusers? Will they openly recant those false doctrines and instead seek to teach an accurate, balanced interpretation of Scripture?
:sigh: Not likely. If TGC has proven anything over recent years, it is that they value appearance over substance, institutions over people, self-righteousness over justice, the praises of men over the praises of God, and the rewards of ill-gotten gain over true riches in heaven. And sadly, as good as it might sound on the surface, this "open letter" is just another indication that nothing has changed.
__________________________________________________________
For more information on the connection between patriarchal beliefs and abuse, please read this excellent post by anti-abuse advocate Ashley Easter.
If you believe that "biblical" complementarianism is not the same thing as oppressive patriarchy, click here.
Comments
Post a Comment