About this episode

Dr. Andrew Bauman discusses the systemic sexism and abuse in Christian communities and how to create safer environments for survivors.

In this episode of the Pure Desire Podcast, Dr. Andrew Bauman joins us to discuss why the church so often becomes an unsafe place for survivors of sexual betrayal. Drawing from his work as a licensed mental health counselor and his research with more than 2,800 women, Dr. Bauman shares what led him—from pastoral ministry into clinical practice—to expose the systemic sexism and abuse he documents in Safe Church. We explore how misogyny disguised as theology retraumatizes betrayed women, how men’s recovery spaces can drift toward self-protection rather than true repair, and why meaningful repentance must be victim-centered. Dr. Bauman unpacks distorted interpretations of power, forgiveness, and the biblical term Ezer, and offers practical “green flags” for identifying church communities that genuinely support healing, equality, and spiritual safety for both men and women in recovery.

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Andrew Bauman

Topics covered

• sexism in church
• abuse survivors
• misogyny and theology
• men's recovery
• victim-centered repentance
• spiritual safety

Keywords

• sexual betrayal
• church safety
• misogyny
• recovery spaces
• forgiveness
• Ezer
• healing
• equality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pure Desire Ministries

Books & works: Safe Church

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• 454 - The Persistent Message of Shame w/ Dr. Jake Porter · March 17, 2026 · 1h 0m
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