A Review by Jan Croucher

At a general assembly of the World Evangelical Fellowship an African woman asked, ‘When will this organization address violence against women? There are men in this very room who abuse their wives.’ The response was a standing ovation! (p.8). A task force was formed to investigate the extent of the problem. In this book Nancy Nason-Clark brings her expertise as a sociologist and Catherine Clark Kroeger contributes the insights of a biblical scholar.

They face us up to the hard questions. For example (the title of chapter 7): ‘Does the Sufffering of an Abused Woman Bring Salvation to Her Husband?’

But the book is not all negative. There are some wonderfully helpful insights from the Scriptures about the Christian family, repentance and forgiveness, the Biblical option of divorce, and (in the detailed appendices) lots of biblical material about God’s judgment against abuse, and comfort to victims. Another appendix offers resources and advice for pastors. And another provides Bible Studies for groups.

Together the authors demonstrate the prevalence of violence worldwide in evangelical homes, and offer a thoroughly researched theological, biblical response. This book challenges the church to stand up in opposition to violence against women, and calls believers to see the potential of change inherent in the Christian message of hope.

The book asks why religious groups are so slow to respond to victims’ cries for help. Are God’s people not called to ‘bring healing in the midst of suffering?’ (p. 15) Many women have had to come to the conclusion that their spiritual leaders are more concerned about the reputation of the church – and even of the abuser – than the safety and suffering of the abused. To many pastors marriages must be saved at all costs, so ‘quick fixes’ are sometimes hastily offered.

This horrifying portrayal of domestic violence in both church and society ought to be read by church leaders, as the risk of uninformed, naïve and unbelievable advice by many in authority has not only put peoples’ lives at risk but has often led to the deaths of innocent people. For example, when a (male) pastor – or anybody for that matter – tells a woman in an abusive relationship ‘You must go back into the marriage and make it work’ that may simply add to the abuse.

In addition to rebuking the abuser, the community of faith is called to action rather than indifference. Here’s a good quote: ‘It is tempting to say that what goes on in somebody else’s home is none of our business; but that is not true in the household of faith. Steps must be taken to ensure that the abuse is stopped. This will require time, effort and endurance from the church’ (p. 129).

The book’s main focus centres on men’s abuse of women – and, as a consequence, of children – within Christian families. Perhaps to widen the perspective, the authors could have given us more insights into the ways women abuse as well, though of course in terms of abuse-with-violence their abuse may be less common.

The tone of the book is hope-full. The authors call us to be men and women of hope and vision – ‘binding up the broken-hearted, and showing all people everywhere a more excellent way’ (p. 16). Amen to that!

Catherine Clark Kroeger and Nancy Nason-Clark, No Place for Abuse: Biblical and Practical Resources to Counteract Domestic Violence, InterVarsity Press, 2001.

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Rev. Jan Croucher is a Baptist pastor, currently concluding a ministry at Boronia Baptist Church, Melbourne. She has a special concern for abused women, whom she meets every week in her visits to Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (Women’s Prison) in Deer Park, Melbourne.