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Book Review - Redeeming Power

Uphold

Updated: Aug 1, 2022


Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church

DIANE LANGBERG


15 June 2022 - Taryn Hayes - READ THE INTERVIEW HERE




In Redeeming Power, Langberg carefully unpacks how it is that the Church could be riddled with abuse. She explains that most perpetrators do not set out in life to become an abuser. The journey to habitual abuse is surprisingly well greased with small lies and self-deception. All too often, deception is layered upon deception in an attempt to save face. Perhaps more alarming, we fail to recognise the abuse of others because we have excused our own wolf-like tendencies.

The reality is most perpetrators do not set out in life to become an abuser.

When abuse becomes tangled up in the reputation of the church or its leaders, truth and godliness seldom trump hypocrisy and sin.We claim righteous reasons. If this gets out, it will damage the gospel! It will cause people to dismiss the church and reject Jesus! People will leave! It will split the church! Board meetings of elders, council members, or pastoral staff are often long, anguished affairs with unsatisfactory conclusions that favour expediency over transparency. Abuse is downgraded to “poor management” with hollow promises of doing better.


Everyone loses. Victims are re-victimised—often left without support or care—and abusers lose the opportunity for a redemptive chance for change.


Published by thegospelcoalition.org.au

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