- Christian women who are experiencing domestic abuse, and those who have escaped it and are seeking to come to terms with what has happened.
- Those who directly work with and support such women, whether formally or informally – support organisations, church leaders, Safeguarding Officers and other Christians.
- Ministerial students and others interested in practical hermeneutics for pastoral theology.

- A careful, well-researched exposition of the biblical texts which are used to manipulate women into remaining in situations of domestic abuse, together with scriptures which are liberatory to women in this situation
- Adopts a high view of scripture and engages honestly with passages which are traditionally viewed as oppressive to women
- Draws on interviews with women who have experienced domestic violence
- Pastoral, direct, highly accessible style of writing which seeks to engage abused women and enable them to take a fresh look at the situation they are trapped in
- Written by a biblical scholar and practising pastor with a track record of being able to communicate to audiences at all levels

'This book is important. Helen Paynter's expertise with scripture, her approachability and her engagement with the reality of abuse ensure The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So is extremely helpful, both for Christians who have been subjected to abuse and for those wanting a strong biblical approach to addressing domestic abuse issues. It is both theological and practical and offers an authoritative and ultimately healing approach to scripture for women who have been abused. I know it will make a positive difference to women's lives!' Natalie Collins, author of Out of Control: Couples, conflict and the capacity for change 'I have all too often seen the Bible I love weaponised by men to control and subordinate their wives. The sad truth is that domestic abuse is as prevalent in the church as it is in the world outside. I am deeply grateful for this book and Helen's detailed study and balanced explanation of the texts that have been used throughout the centuries to "bash" women. It is an academically excellent book, which sheds light on the complex scriptures it covers, yet remains immensely readable. It is thorough and profound and enables the reader to not just wrestle with these verses, but also to consider God's original plan for the relationship between men and women. This book shows the Bible is liberating for women and challenging for some men, and I pray The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So will become a core text for leaders as they learn to recognise and respond to domestic abuse within their churches.' Bekah Legg, director of Restored

This book is addressed directly to women experiencing domestic abuse, and to those who seek to support them, including pastoral leaders, friends and support organisations. It debunks the myths – perpetuated by some abusers and, unwittingly, by many churches – which prevent women from getting out of harm's way. It helps them realise that the Bible does not belong to their abuser but is a text of liberation. Written with careful attention to pastoral issues, it closely examines and clearly explains the relevant scriptural texts.

Challenges the use of the Bible in validating domestic abuse

How come the Bible is used to justify domestic abuse? This book aims to debunk the myths which prevent women from getting out of harm's way.

Helen Paynter

Bible Doesnt Tell Me_ebook

This book is addressed directly to women experiencing domestic abuse, and to those who seek to support them, including pastoral leaders, friends and support organisations.  
  
It debunks the myths – perpetuated by some abusers and, unwittingly, by many churches – which prevent women from getting out of harm’s way. It helps them realise that the Bible does not belong to their abuser but is a text of liberation. Written with careful attention to pastoral issues, it closely examines and clearly explains the relevant scriptural texts.

\["For anybody affected by domestic abuse","This book debunks the myths and texts used to justify abuse","You'll find real responses to combating and refuting abuse at home and in the Church"\]

Preface

Introduction

__PART 1: THE WEAPONISATION OF SCRIPTURE__

__1 A wife’s proper place__

‘Wives, submit to your husbands.’ An abuser’s charter?

‘Ideal’ wives in the Bible

‘The wife has to consent to sex whenever the husband wants it’

__2 Subordination of women__

‘Women were created to help men’

‘The curse of women is to be dominated by men’

‘Women menstruate and are regularly unclean’

‘Women should be silent in church’

‘Women were deceived and are inherently unreliable’

__3 Divorce__

Malachi

Jesus and the rabbis

__4 Forgiveness and suffering__

What is forgiveness and what isn’t it?

Suffering and the Christian vocation

A lament

__5 When pastor turns predator__

__PART 2: THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE__

__6 God is for the oppressed__

The Old Testament law

The psalmist

The prophets

The rage of the Saviour

But what about… all that abuse against women in the Old Testament?

__7 Jesus: fellow sufferer and non-toxic man__

The incarnation of God

Honoured women

__8 You are of immense value__

You are made in the image of God

God’s heart is to bind your wounds and restore your dignity

But what about…sin?

__9 Silenced and hidden no more__

Confronting the power of vested interest

There is nothing hidden that will not be made known

__PART 3: THREE PERSONAL ADDRESSES__

__10 To those trapped by an abuser__

__11 To church leaders__

Believe the woman!

Exercise church discipline

Call out sin

Establish cultures where women can truly flourish

__12 To the perpetrator__

Taking it further

General further reading

Helplines and support organisations for victims and those who support them

National Domestic Violence Helpline

Women’s Aid

Refuge

Local domestic abuse services

Resources for churches

Resource for abusers

Respect

Blogs

Safety plan

Endnotes

‘This book is important. Helen Paynter’s expertise with scripture, her approachability and her engagement with the reality of abuse ensure The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So is extremely helpful, both for Christians who have been subjected to abuse and for those wanting a strong biblical approach to addressing domestic abuse issues. It is both theological and practical and offers an authoritative and ultimately healing approach to scripture for women who have been abused. I know it will make a positive difference to women’s lives!’

__Natalie Collins, author of Out of Control: Couples, conflict and the capacity for change__

‘I have all too often seen the Bible I love weaponised by men to control and subordinate their wives. The sad truth is that domestic abuse is as prevalent in the church as it is in the world outside. I am deeply grateful for this book and Helen’s detailed study and balanced explanation of the texts that have been used throughout the centuries to “bash” women. It is an academically excellent book, which sheds light on the complex scriptures it covers, yet remains immensely readable. It is thorough and profound and enables the reader to not just wrestle with these verses, but also to consider God's original plan for the relationship between men and women. This book shows the Bible is liberating for women and challenging for some men, and I pray The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So will become a core text for leaders as they learn to recognise and respond to domestic abuse within their churches.’

__Bekah Legg, director of Restored__

Debunking the myths and refuting the ways Biblical text have been used against women, Helen Paynter offers a way to refute and escape abuse at home and Church.

__Helen Paynter__ is Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. A Baptist minister and biblical specialist, she has published at popular and scholarly levels, including God of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today? (2019) for BRF. She speaks nationally and internationally about the interpretation of biblical violence and the abuse of the Bible to promote violence.

The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So

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