Free Course on Responding to Family and Domestic Violence for Churches
Hi everyone, as an Aussie public theologian I tend to advocate for a lot of topics. Some of it is Australian-centric, like the need for gambling reform; sometimes it is for my American friends, like the case for universal healthcare and gun control (FYI, trying to convince them feels like pushing a big rock up a steep hill). Then there are some topics that defy geographical boundaries and denominations, like a defense of religious freedom and “women” as a biological category. Oh, and I also write and teach about the New Testament and Christian Thought!
However, one topic that I am also outspoken about is the case for egalitarianism and a critique of theologies that enable domestic violence and sexual abuse. Now my complementarian friends do not generally support the former, but I’m glad to say that the vast majority are on-side with the latter. In fact, when it comes to stopping the pandemic of domestic and family violence (DFV), especially in churches, we can have unity like oil running down Aaron’s beard between egalitarians and complementarians.
So, once again, I am pleased to remind everyone that Ridley College offers a free on-line course - yes I said FREE - on Responding to Domestic and Family Violence. You can do it as an individual or, I would recommend, in study groups at home, church, or college. It is brilliant, only seven sessions, accessible and transformative! You’ll learn about the causes of DFV, prevention, and appropriate ways to respond. It’s Free and it will equip you and your church to respond to DFV anywhere you see it!
I am driven on this topic for a few things. First, I’ve written elsewhere about how I grew up in a home that was dysfunctional and spasmodically abusive, so I have tears and trauma in this game. Second, the National Anglican Family Violence Project was a harrowing report about the extent of DFV in Anglican churches and the pernicious theologies that often enable it.
I take it a part of my calling as a priest in the church of God to prosecute with extreme prejudice a campaign to expose, critique, and destroy theologies and cultures that enable, perpetuate, or cover-up domestic violence, sexual abuse, or spiritual abuse in the church. I will do that without caricature of my opponents nor compromise on the safety of victims. I undertake that task by joining hands with all my friends across any theological spectrum to say a resounding “No!” to abuse among the people who confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
So, whether you are a Melbourne Anglican, Brisbane Baptist, New Zealand Pentecostal, Moldovan Methodist, Swedish Lutheran, Pensacola Presbyterian, or Texas AMC, if your church or home group signs up for this course, I am willing, schedule and time zones permitting, to zoom in and do a Q&A in your final session.
So please, take up this free course, you won’t regret it.