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Battered into Submission by Alsdurf & Alsdurf

Battered into submission: 

The tragedy of wife abuse in the Christian home

  by

James and Phyllis Alsdurf



Battered into Submission begins with a nightmare. Lucille Tisland, a pastor's wife, shot and killed her husband. She reported his abuse including a threat to kill her and their children.


Battered into Submission addresses the often overlooked issue of wife abuse within Christian homes. The authors, James and Phyllis Alsdurf, draw on extensive research and interviews with victims, abusers, and pastors to explore the psychological, spiritual, and personal impact of wife abuse. They highlight that abuse can occur even in homes where the husband is a Christian and the family upholds traditional values. The book calls on the church to acknowledge and address this issue, providing hope and healing to those affected.

The authors tackle Christian teaching often directed at women to be in submission. They also reveal the large numbers of clergy who do not support a wife leaving an abusive husband.

Comment on Battered into Submission
The book is a useful description of the problems Christian women have faced when it comes to religious teaching mandating submission to husbands and the church, forgiveness and reconciliation, and lifelong marriage. The stories illustrate the pain and considerable distress so many Christian women experience as they attempt to be faithful to a Christian worldview that offers no or only a few reasons to divorce their husbands.

Although many Christians continue to view marriage as a sacred commitment for life, many do no longer insist that abused women remain with their abusive husbands. For Catholics, marriage is for life. However, the church recognizes legitimate reasons such as danger to a spouse or children as grounds for separation.


Although evangelicals continue to oppose divorce except for adultery, others include abuse as a legitimate reason to exit an abusive relationship.

An Evangelical Answer Link [ Divorcing an abusive spouse is not a sin. ]

Reference

Alsdurf, J., & Alsdurf, P. (1989). Battered into submission: The tragedy of wife abuse in the Christian home. InterVarsity Press.  ON AMAZON

About the authors


James Alsdurf is a forensic psychologist with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has extensive experience in evaluating and treating individuals with sexual behavior problems and has served as an expert witness in numerous legal cases2. James has also been involved in the assessment and treatment of sex offenders, providing insights into their psychological profiles and treatment needs.

Phyllis Alsdurf is a children's book author and former college English and journalism professor. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from Evangel College, an M.A. in Journalism from Kansas State University, and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota4. Phyllis has a passion for storytelling and has written numerous articles, books, and educational materials. She enjoys engaging with children in schools and bookstores, encouraging them to explore their own creativity through writing.



**********

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

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