By Amy N. R. Fisch

Historically, churches in the United States have functioned as separatists, and this tendency has contributed to assumptions that Christian communities are safe. Statistics, however, do not support this notion. Contrary to what many believe, there is little if any difference in the incidence of domestic abuse in and outside of Christian communities. Statistics demonstrate that approximately one in three adult women have experienced a physical assault by an intimate partner during adulthood. One cannot assign a price tag to the damage that domestic abuse causes victims and their children. Child abuse occurs in 30 to 60 percent of family violence cases; and between 20 and 50 percent of abused children suffer mild to severe brain damage. Childhood abuse has been correlated with increased adolescent and young adult truancy, running away, and risky sexual behavior. Between 50 to 70 percent of women and a substantial number of men who are treated in psychiatric settings have histories of sexual and/or physical abuse. Numerous studies have documented that most violent criminals were physically or sexually abused as children. According to secular psychologist Lundy Bancroft, the power to change values that will most transform our society is held by churches. Dr. Bancroft speaks prophetically, whether or not he intends to! And, notably, victims of domestic abuse usually turn first to clergy when seeking help.

Clearly, the stakes are high with regard to what Christian communities do about domestic abuse. Ephesians 5:19:21 points at the truth regarding sins that contribute to domestic abuse:

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did be-fore, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

God opposes the values of the sinful nature that result in decay of communities. The good news is that God wants men and women and their children to escape bondage to sin and its devastating effects. After delivering the Ten Commandments to Israel, Moses proclaimed God’s heart for the people: ìIf only they had such a mind as this, to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and with their children for ever!” God desires to bring healing and wholeness to individuals and communities. 

It is notable that God’s Word correlates pure religion with the tending of widows and orphans; nowhere does God rebuke them for failures. Rather, God emphasizes that communities ought to provide for them. God calls churches to extend mercy, where mercy is due, and to enact justice in every way possible. If Christians ignore statistical realities and scriptural truth about domestic abuse, then they take part in one of the seven social sins - knowledge without character - according to Mahatma Gandhi. In his book, Rich Christians In An Age of Hunger, Ronald Sider comments, 

Unless we drastically reshape both our theology and our church life so that God’s concern for the poor and oppressed is as central in our theology and programs as it is in Scripture, we will demonstrate to the world that our verbal commitment to sola scriptura is a dishonest ideological support for an unjust, materialistic status quo.

Although Ronald Sider speaks regarding the injustice of poverty in our world, the same biblical principles hold true for other injustices, including domestic abuse. 

Rather than conforming to the ways of this world, God calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. And we are called not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. Divine wisdom promises transformation of lives and communities. Where sin and suffering have prevailed, God promises new life will spring from out from ashes. What looks impossible for those enslaved to sin or oppression is indeed possible for the One who has conquered sin and death and purchased our salvation. Just as Christ belongs to His Father, so we have been adopted into God’s family. His righteousness is imputed to us with power that enacts sanctification and redemption. The Holy Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance, promises to redeem our lives and communities. We may therefore build healthy communities with complete confidence, knowing that Christ’s death and resurrection pave the way, while promising the ultimate victory over sin and death (1 Cor. 15:57, 1 John 5:4). The moral well-being of entire communities hinges not on human understanding or traditions but on God’s intended purposes. God’s Word requires opening our eyes and responding to injustices in our world.