The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Jeff Van Vonderen
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Jeff Van Vonderen
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church

Author: Jeff Van Vonderen, David Johnson

Narrator: William Sarris

Unabridged: 8 hr 32 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 07/12/2022

Synopsis

In a breakthrough book first published in 1991, the authors address the dynamics in churches that can ensnare people in legalism, guilt, and begrudging service, keeping them from the grace and joy of God's kingdom. Written for both those who feel abused and those who may be causing it, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse shows how people get hooked into abusive systems, the impact of controlling leadership on a congregation, and how the abused believer can find rest and recovery.

About Jeff Van Vonderen

Jeff VanVonderen is an internationally known speaker on addictions, church, and family wellness. He has worked as a counselor in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, as well as in the religious community, taught at the college level, and is the author of several books, including Good News for the Chemically Dependent and Those Who Love Them. He is one of the featured interventionists on the A&E documentary series Intervention, which has won its second Prism Award. He has also appeared on Oprah, the Today Show, and Larry King Live. He has eight grandchildren and makes his home in Wisconsin.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Lynn on October 19, 2016

I highly recommend this book for those who have been wounded by the church and who need God's healing, and also for those in any position of leadership. (Although I don't know that manipulators will recognize their behavior, because so often they have the best of intentions and sincerely believe th......more

Goodreads review by Debby on August 12, 2008

Spiritual manipulation, control and abuse is indeed a very deceptively and intricately woven web designed for entrapment. It is amazing how subtle this type of manipulation, control and abuse can be, how difficult to spot and even more difficult to break away from or get others to recognize it fow w......more

Goodreads review by Ruth on June 22, 2012

Reading this book has confirmed to me that the ministry which sponsored the Christian high school that I attended qualifies as spiritually abusive. Reading this book has also made me doubly thankful for the grace of God. Aside from some light criticisms I have regarding sloppy copy editing, my only o......more

Goodreads review by Keren on December 27, 2011

This book was personally very helpful and healing. However, its application and writing deals with more than just spiritual abuse. I fear that some types of people will be turned away from the title: 1)people who don’t believe there is such a thing as “spiritual abuse,” 2) people who believe spiritu......more

Goodreads review by Michael on February 20, 2020

Helpful. A must-read for church leaders. Would not be a waste of time for church laypeople, either.......more

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List