About the book:
Domestic abuse is as common with church families as in the general population, but sadly additional factors may come into play when the abuse is taking place within a Christian home. In particular, certain portions of the Bible are often taken out of context by abusers to force their partners to put up with abuse. Sometimes churches, too, can be unhelpful, offering theological responses which are neither pastorally sensitive nor in line with a careful reading of the Bible’s teaching.

In her acclaimed book “The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So: Why you don’t have to submit to domestic abuse and coercive control”, Baptist minister and biblical scholar Helen Paynter tackles these questions head-on, in an accessible work aimed primarily at those experiencing abuse.

Buy the book

£8.99

These study videos The Bible Doesn’t Tell Us So: Equipping the church to resist domestic abuse and coercive control offer a six-week course aimed at church small groups, to enable them to engage with the material in an interactive way.

Video format. The series is hosted by the book’s author Helen Paynter. Each video contains enough material for one small group meeting. After a short introduction to set the scene, there are two blocks of input, with contributions from invited guests, and witness testimonies. After each input block, plenty of time is allowed for the group to talk and pray together. The video finishes with some short concluding remarks.

A short study guide is available to support the videos, but it is intended that they will be used alongside the published book.

Featuring...

Session 1: Introduction. Provides an overview of domestic abuse: its presentation and prevalence in society and churches. With guest Bekah Legg, director of Restored, an organisation which seeks to equip the UK and international church to resist and respond to domestic abuse.

 

Session 2: The Ideal Wife? Digging into what the Bible does and doesn’t teach about marital roles. With guest Rev. David Batchelor, minister of South Street Free Church, Eastbourne.

  

Session 3: Trapped By God? What does and doesn’t the Bible say about divorce in the case of abuse? With guest Rev. Dr David Instone Brewer, author of “Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible“.

 

Session 4: Jesus Raging and Suffering. Looking at how the Bible in general, and Jesus in particular, views the suffering and the oppressed. With guests Rev. Dr David Firth and Dr Jayme Reaves.

 

Session 5: Out of the Shadows. How can we cultivate an atmosphere in our churches that makes it easy for victims of abuse to disclose, and to believe that they will be taken seriously? With barrister (legal advocate) Anna Vigars KC.

 

Session 6: Next Steps. How can we move forwards to make our churches safer for people who experience domestic abuse? With Rev. Brendan Bassett, previously minister of Victoria Park Baptist Church, Bristol.

 

 

Rev. Dr Helen Paynter Helen guides each video and offers input and teaching throughout.