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Post by stillvanrecovering on Jun 17, 2019 16:56:06 GMT
Just wondering if there's been progress made by the RFPA over the past two years in publishing the first Reformed Work on abuse? Still looking for an author? [from the Questions and Answers regarding the Speech on Spousal (Wife) Abuse by Prof. David J. Engelsma (May 9, 2017 at Byron Center PRC)] Read more: exprc.freeforums.net/thread/627/spousal-abuse-follow#ixzz5r7omgX2R"I added the following disclaimer: “Recommendation of these books is not indicative of approval of all they contain. Some make no claim to be Christian. They are helpful in exposing the nature of abuse; instructing how a counselor and, in some cases, the church ought to respond to it; warning against prevalent errors regarding dealing with abuse, including errors made by the church; and offering advice how the abused wife should recognize and respond to abuse. The Reformed work on abuse has yet to be written.”
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Post by stillvanrecovering on Jun 30, 2019 18:48:47 GMT
In her new article "Breaking Faith or Bearing Fruit?" Diane Langeberg exposes our hearts. We were catechized well on how actions other than outright murder still break God's law against killing. So it is with divorce - it is much more than a legal status from a court. I believe this article reflects the heart of God towards divorce, but never heard it spoke about this way in the PRCA. www.dianelangberg.com/2019/06/breaking-faith-or-bearing-fruit/"Is it divorce to hide away every evening while looking at pornography behind a shut door and ignoring both wife and family? Is it divorce to batter a spouse with objects, fists or words? Is it divorce to bar your spouse from any access to money? Is it divorce to pour out rage and humiliation on your family and deceitfully present a different face at church? Have you not, in the words of Malachi, broken faith with your spouse and acted both treacherously and deceitfully? God says, “For I hate sending away… and he who hath covered violence with his clothing…” (Malachi 2:16). Do not all of the previously mentioned involve a sending away? Where did we get the idea that the only thing we can call divorce is a piece of paper provided by a secular court?"
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Post by maggie on Jul 3, 2019 14:40:44 GMT
Excellent article !! Abuse is a divorce.
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Post by stillvanrecovering on Jul 31, 2019 17:03:50 GMT
In her new article "Breaking Faith or Bearing Fruit?" Diane Langeberg exposes our hearts. We were catechized well on how actions other than outright murder still break God's law against killing. So it is with divorce - it is much more than a legal status from a court. I believe this article reflects the heart of God towards divorce, but never heard it spoke about this way in the PRCA. www.dianelangberg.com/2019/06/breaking-faith-or-bearing-fruit/"Is it divorce to hide away every evening while looking at pornography behind a shut door and ignoring both wife and family? Is it divorce to batter a spouse with objects, fists or words? Is it divorce to bar your spouse from any access to money? Is it divorce to pour out rage and humiliation on your family and deceitfully present a different face at church? Have you not, in the words of Malachi, broken faith with your spouse and acted both treacherously and deceitfully? God says, “For I hate sending away… and he who hath covered violence with his clothing…” (Malachi 2:16). Do not all of the previously mentioned involve a sending away? Where did we get the idea that the only thing we can call divorce is a piece of paper provided by a secular court?" I left the PRC several years ago, but thumbed through the July 2019 "Synod" issue of The Standard Bearer while at my parent's house. Imagine my shock to see both the names of Diane Langberg and Justin & Lindsey Holcomb with links to books and articles on child sexual abuse and spousal abuse. I praise God for the article that was written. Perhaps some who read Diane's works may discover other important subjects she's written on, including spiritual abuse. I'd note the SB article "Elders and counseling" was not written by shepherds, but to their shame (perhaps) at the behest of the sheep. The shepherds are otherwise occupied with weighty matters of synod and arguing with each other. The words of Jesus in Luke 20 apply today as in the day He spoke them - "beware the scribes" It was the "scribes" duty to care for the oppressed (such as the widow with two mites following in Luke 21), yet they preyed upon them and likely enriched themselves. To those who are the abusers, or enablers by their silence - God sees the oppressed, and he will act. Today is the day of salvation - if you hear His voice and repent. To those who are the abused - God sees you, and He will act on your behalf. Judgement for the abuse will either fall upon the oppressor (or their enablers), or has been laid upon his own Son. The identity of these parents who penned the article is unknown, but their love for their children who have suffered trauma is sincere. Coming forward with ugly stories of abuse came at great cost to themselves; portraying a squeaky clean reputation free of abuse and divorce are prized highly in many homes in the PRC. I hope to hear more voices like theirs on behalf of those who have suffered abuse and trauma - perhaps even from a brave shepherd.
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