Domestic Violence
The Biblical View

About the video:

 About the tape:
 
            One of the most perverse crutches used by abusive men to "justify" physical violence against their wives is Scripture.  When confronted, they refer to their "God given right" to beat their wives.
They point to
 
        Eph 5:22-23:  "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife ..."  RSV
 
    And,
 
        Eph 5: 24:  "... So let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands."  RSV
 
    What is surprising, however, is that such quotes are not only taken out of context, but the abuser typically does not even know the other possible reference:  Where God tells Eve, "Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."
 
    If wives are to "be subject in everything to their husbands" and "the husband is the head of the wife" and he is to "rule over" his wife, it sure sounds like abusers have a point.  But, what do these passages
really mean? 
 
    Then there is the matter of child abuse, also "justified" by Scripture.  We all "know" the Bible tells us "spare the rod and spoil the child."  We all "know" that we should not hold back on the physical
discipline of children. 

Consider:
 
        Prov 13:24 
"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."  NIV
        Prov 22:15 
"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."  NIV 
        Prov 29:15 
"The rod of correction imparts wisdom ..." NIV
 
    Sadly, much evil has been done in the name of God by the inappropriate and misunderstood use of these passages.  In 1997 the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod invited James E. Sheridan to present the answer to these questions.  In this video a broad picture of the Biblical vision of how husbands and wives are to see each other and treat each other is painted.  He puts these and many other passages into proper historical, cultural, linguistic and Biblical context.  In the process he strips away the false crutch of support for domestic violence against women and children and provides an overview of the true model of love which God intends for marriage.
 
    This video is a must for counselors or church professionals who deal with abusive spouses.  They will never again have to sit quiet when an abusive spouse announces:  "I don't care what you say ... God tells me I can physically discipline my wife and children!"
 
    This video is one hour long, divided into three sections of approximately 20 minutes each.  It comes with a discussion guide to make it useful for church Bible studies.  The discussion guide was prepared by Rev. Ronald W. Brusius, Task Force on Domestic Violence & Abuse, Board for Human Care Ministries, The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod. It is suitable for use with high school age youth or adults as well as both lay and professional groups.  It may be used, together with the discussion guide, in a retreat setting or in three one-hour (or longer) studies.

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Call:
James E. Sheridan
10864 Burton Rd.
Adrian, MI  49221-9432
517-547-4905
You can also send an email to James E. Sheridan at:
jsheridan@marriagedoneright.com