{"product_id":"fractured-covenants-the-hidden-problem-of-marital-abuse-in-the-church-9780997339925","title":"Fractured Covenants: The Hidden Problem of Marital Abuse in the Church","description":"\u003cp\u003eAbuse of different forms has become much more prevalent in the United States over the last two decades. Unfortunately, Christian marriages are not immune to this dark reality. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOften part of a dynamic of control and oppression in relationships, extreme authoritarian teaching can set the stage for abuse to occur. Far too often, rather than being a haven for survivors of abuse, local churches enable perpetrators by maintaining a \"code of silence\" and shaming victims for speaking up. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFractured Covenants\u003c\/em\u003e, Marie O'Toole identifies the many forms spousal abuse takes; alerts the reader to the signs of an abusive relationship; and offers practical advice to pastors and counselors on how better to confront abusers and help victims heal within complementarian environments. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSome of the questions this book answers:  \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhat is emotional abuse? \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhy do Christian women stay in destructive relationships?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCan abusers change? \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAre men also victims of abuse? \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIs marital abuse ever biblical grounds for divorce?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhat does the Bible say about \"ragers\" and \"revilers?\" \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow does Christ heal abuse survivors? \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe issue of abuse within Christian communities (and how it is often mishandled by the Church) is garnering an increasing amount of media attention worldwide as it reaches near-epidemic levels. With more pastors and victim advocates speaking out than ever before, leadership of seminaries and local churches need to reevaluate how they assess and counsel women in the unenviable position of a destructive marriage. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWriting from an insider's perspective as well as that of a biblical counselor, O'Toole sheds light on a painful subject often shrouded in secrecy and shame.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarie O'Toole\u003c\/strong\u003e (formerly \"Notcheva\") is a Christian writer and mother of four from Massachusetts. Since 2011, her diverse speaking engagements have led her from women's conferences in New England to summer camps in Albania. Passionate about the Word of God, O'Toole's ministry to broken women continues in \u003cem\u003eFractured Covenants\u003c\/em\u003e, her third book to date.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Calvary Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50331794702610,"sku":"9780997339925","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_07a80a2c-360a-4aec-9806-917b424c9d4e.jpg?v=1727825366","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/fractured-covenants-the-hidden-problem-of-marital-abuse-in-the-church-9780997339925","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}