Weaponizing Scripture: A Focus on Forgiveness, True Repentance & Reconciliation with Dr. Steven R. Tracy

About this episode

The episode discusses the misuse of Scripture in counseling and the responsibilities of church leaders to protect vulnerable individuals in abusive situations.

Today, we begin a month-long series examining how Scripture is sometimes misused by spiritual authorities—such as clergy, small-group leaders, biblical counselors, and Christian counselors—in ways that shame or further harm those who are already experiencing abuse in their marriages. In this special series, Twisted Scripture: When the Bible Is Weaponized, we take a careful and thoughtful look at passages that are frequently used in ways that silence the vulnerable or pressure victims to remain in harmful situations. Our first conversation features Dr. Steven R. Tracy, author of To Harm or To Heal: The Bible and Its Use in Counseling and co-author with Celestia G. Tracy of Mending the Soul. Together, we discuss two critical topics: spiritual abuse by church leadership in their counseling and pastoral care, and the biblical responsibility of leaders to protect those who are vulnerable. We also address commonly misused teachings about forgiveness and reconciliation and how these passages are often applied in ways that ignore the realities of abuse. Throughout this month-long series, we will continue exploring other frequently cited “clobber verses,” inviting theologians, pastors…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Stephanie Holmes

Guest: Dr. Steven R. Tracy

Topics covered

• spiritual abuse
• forgiveness
• reconciliation
• misuse of Scripture
• counseling
• marriage
• vulnerability

Keywords

• spiritual abuse
• forgiveness
• reconciliation
• Scripture misuse
• counseling
• marriage abuse
• vulnerability
• Dr. Steven R. Tracy
• Dr. Stephanie Holmes
• Twisted Scripture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CBE International

Books & works: To Harm or To Heal: The Bible and Its Use in Counseling, Mending the Soul

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