CBMW Issues Abuse Statement -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Volume: JBMW 01:1 (Aug 1995)
Article: CBMW Issues Abuse Statement
Author: Anonymous


CBMW Issues Abuse Statement

When CBMW was founded in 1987, its leaders wrote in the Danvers Statement that they were deeply concerned about “the upsurge of physical and emotional abuse in the family” (Rationale #6), and that “In the family, husbands should forsake harsh or selfish leadership and grow in love and care for their wives” (Affirmation #6).

The Council has now issued an expanded statement on abuse, as part of a continuing effort to demonstrate that the biblical teachings on male headship in marriage do not authorize a man’s domination or abuse of his bride. We hope this statement will encourage Christians to oppose abuse wherever it appears. The statement was adopted by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood at its meeting in Lisle, Illinois, in November, 1994.

  • We understand abuse to mean the cruel use of power or authority to harm another person emotionally, physically, or
  • sexually.
  • We are against all forms of physical, sexual and/or verbal abuse.
  • We believe that the biblical teaching on relationships between men and women does not support, but condemns abuse (Prov. 12:18; Eph. 5:25–29; 6:4; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7–8; 1 Pet. 3:7; 5:3).
  • We believe that abuse is sin. It is destructive and evil. Abuse is the hallmark of the devil and is in direct opposition to the purposes of God. Abuse ought not to be tolerated in the Christian community.
  • We believe that the Christian community is responsible for the well-being of its members. It has a responsibility to lovingly confront abusers and to protect the abused.
  • We believe that both abusers and the abused are in need of emotional and spiritual healing.
  • We believe that God extends healing to those who earnestly seek him.
  • We are confident of the power of God’s healing love to restore relationships fractured by abuse, but we realize that repentance, forgiveness, wholeness, and reconciliation is a process. Both abusers and abused are in need of on-going counseling, support and accountability.
  • In instances where abusers are unrepentant and/or unwilling to make significant steps toward change, we believe that the Christian community must respond with firm discipline of the abuser and advocacy, support and protection of the abused.
  • We believe that by the power of God’s Spirit, the Christian community can be an instrument of God’s love and healing for those involved in abusive relationships and an example of wholeness in a fractured...
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