Empowers survivors to interpret Scripture in healing ways while unlearning harmful biblical perspectives.Scripture plays an unique and profound role in the lives of many abuse survivors. It can be a powerful instrument for healing. Unfortunately, it is often wielded against survivors as a weapon, causing great and long-lasting harm.In over two decades of abuse ministry Steve Tracy's ministry, Mending the Soul, has found that some of the most extensive trauma harm is experienced by survivors who had Scripture misused against them by abusers or the abusers' collaborators. Sometimes survivors have inherited harmful ways of reading Scripture from well-meaning family members, pastors, or religious communities. To Heal or Harm is a lifeline for survivors and their loved ones that will quickly help you:Refute the most common, harmful misuses of Scripture.Decontaminate broader biblical perspectives that have been used against you.Allow you to experience more of the beauty and healing power of Scripture.This book is divided into three sections:Lays the foundation by briefly surveying the complex richness of Scripture and then giving basic principles for proper biblical interpretation.Dismantles poisonous interpretations of passages commonly misused against survivors (passages on marriage, children, church, abuse victims, and spiritual life).Surveys, by category, key biblical texts which are most helpful for abuse survivors' protection and healing. With compassion and deep insight, Steve Tracy will show you how key biblical texts have been typically misused, and he explains what those texts do and do not mean. The book includes appendices surveying biblical teaching on various abuse-related topics.

A well-researched biblical and scientific overview of abuse--its various types and effects and how to heal from it.

Abuse can be sexual, physical, neglect, spiritual, and verbal. The chief arguments pursued throughout the book are:

Abuse is far more rampant than most Christians realize, but due to human depravity and satanic influence, widespread abuse is predicable.All types of abuse create profound, long-term soul damage due to the way abuse perverts various aspects of the image of God.God is the healing redeemer. Human salvation came through horrible physical abuse.Healing must take place in the context of relationships.

Humans are deeply impacted by others due to being made in the image of God. Just as surely as abusive relationships have tremendous power to wound the soul, so healthy relationships have tremendous power to nurture and heal the soul. Questions answered in the book include:

How can a genuine believer abuse a child?Why would someone abuse a child?How can parents and children''s workers identify abusers?How can abuse victims heal?What does genuine healing look like?Is anger appropriate or hurtful for abuse victims?Where does forgiveness fit in?

This second edition has been updated to reflect research conducted and published in the past 15 years on abuse and trauma. It accounts for the significant social changes and increased mental health struggles in our culture, including dramatic escalation in rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, and isolation, which exacerbate the effects of abuse and complicate the healing process. Based on their now-extensive trauma care experience, this new edition helps readers how to minister to new domestic and global victims such as sex trafficking survivors, foster children, refugees, and survivors of genocide. Examples and illustrations are updated with more recent ones from high-profile abuse cases and the aftermath of the #MeToo movement. The appendixes include lists of helpful resources for child protection policies, worker/parent child abuse education, warning signs of potential abusers, and general abuse resources (books, internet sites, and organizations) to equip ministry leaders are provided in appendices. Illustrations, case studies, and art therapy drawings.

For teenagers who have experienced any kind of abuse or abandonment, it can often feel like hope is lost and they’re doomed to stay stuck in unhealthy habits and patterns. This teenage edition of Mending the Soul was written to show teens that by following a path of restoration and allowing God’s grace to touch their heart’s deepest wounds, they will find hope and healing as they work through their pain. It will help them navigate the emotional trauma of abuse and abandonment, as well as recognize signs of unhealthy families and dating relationships. Armed with a better understanding of their past and how the effects of abuse can lead to risky behaviors, shame, trauma and isolation—teens will be encouraged to face their brokenness, to heal and forgive and to look toward their hope-filled future. A practical resource for teens, Mending the Soul, Student Edition also offers insight into the struggles parents and ministry leaders face when working with teenage victims of abuse.

For teenagers who have experienced any kind of abuse or abandonment, it can often feel like hope is lost and they’re doomed to stay stuck in unhealthy habits and patterns. This teenage edition of Mending the Soul was written to show teens that by following a path of restoration and allowing God’s grace to touch their heart’s deepest wounds, they will find hope and healing as they work through their pain. It will help them navigate the emotional trauma of abuse and abandonment, as well as recognize signs of unhealthy families and dating relationships. Armed with a better understanding of their past and how the effects of abuse can lead to risky behaviors, shame, trauma and isolation—teens will be encouraged to face their brokenness, to heal and forgive and to look toward their hope-filled future.A practical resource for teens, Mending the Soul, Student Edition also offers insight into the struggles parents and ministry leaders face when working with teenage victims of abuse.

This book reflects a multi disciplinary, integrative approach to the theology and practice of relational intimacy. It combines biblical data on sexuality and relationships with marriage and bonding research. The reader is then guided in applying the research to his or her relationships. In essence, this is a handbook for understanding and deepening the stages involved in bonding or attaching closely to another human being. Marriage, the most intimate of all human relationships, is described in Scripture as a one-flesh mystery (Eph 5:31-32). This mystery of human bonding is as beautiful as it is complex, particularly in a post-Eden world. Many of us are woefully aware of our relational deficits, yet lack vibrant marriages around us to emulate. Those of us who have not experienced relationships of health, safety, and security particularly find we need roadmaps along the way. Our desire is that in the pages of this book readers will find personal encouragement and direction that is both biblically precise and practical for their relational journeys. Our intimacy model is built upon God''s bold promises to heal and redeem. His pathways bring life; he is the one true lover of our souls. Our intimacy with him is foundational to all other relationships.

Empowers survivors to interpret Scripture in healing ways while unlearning harmful biblical perspectives.Scripture plays an unique and profound role in the lives of many abuse survivors. It can be a powerful instrument for healing. Unfortunately, it is often wielded against survivors as a weapon, causing great and long-lasting harm.In over two decades of abuse ministry Steve Tracy's ministry, Mending the Soul, has found that some of the most extensive trauma harm is experienced by survivors who had Scripture misused against them by abusers or the abusers' collaborators. Sometimes survivors have inherited harmful ways of reading Scripture from well-meaning family members, pastors, or religious communities. To Heal or Harm is a lifeline for survivors and their loved ones that will quickly help you:Refute the most common, harmful misuses of Scripture.Decontaminate broader biblical perspectives that have been used against you.Allow you to experience more of the beauty and healing power of Scripture.This book is divided into three sections:Lays the foundation by briefly surveying the complex richness of Scripture and then giving basic principles for proper biblical interpretation.Dismantles poisonous interpretations of passages commonly misused against survivors (passages on marriage, children, church, abuse victims, and spiritual life).Surveys, by category, key biblical texts which are most helpful for abuse survivors' protection and healing. With compassion and deep insight, Steve Tracy will show you how key biblical texts have been typically misused, and he explains what those texts do and do not mean. The book includes appendices surveying biblical teaching on various abuse-related topics.

A well-researched biblical and scientific overview of abuse--its various types and effects and how to heal from it.

Abuse can be sexual, physical, neglect, spiritual, and verbal. The chief arguments pursued throughout the book are:

Abuse is far more rampant than most Christians realize, but due to human depravity and satanic influence, widespread abuse is predicable.All types of abuse create profound, long-term soul damage due to the way abuse perverts various aspects of the image of God.God is the healing redeemer. Human salvation came through horrible physical abuse.Healing must take place in the context of relationships.

Humans are deeply impacted by others due to being made in the image of God. Just as surely as abusive relationships have tremendous power to wound the soul, so healthy relationships have tremendous power to nurture and heal the soul. Questions answered in the book include:

How can a genuine believer abuse a child?Why would someone abuse a child?How can parents and children''s workers identify abusers?How can abuse victims heal?What does genuine healing look like?Is anger appropriate or hurtful for abuse victims?Where does forgiveness fit in?

This second edition has been updated to reflect research conducted and published in the past 15 years on abuse and trauma. It accounts for the significant social changes and increased mental health struggles in our culture, including dramatic escalation in rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, and isolation, which exacerbate the effects of abuse and complicate the healing process. Based on their now-extensive trauma care experience, this new edition helps readers how to minister to new domestic and global victims such as sex trafficking survivors, foster children, refugees, and survivors of genocide. Examples and illustrations are updated with more recent ones from high-profile abuse cases and the aftermath of the #MeToo movement. The appendixes include lists of helpful resources for child protection policies, worker/parent child abuse education, warning signs of potential abusers, and general abuse resources (books, internet sites, and organizations) to equip ministry leaders are provided in appendices. Illustrations, case studies, and art therapy drawings.

For teenagers who have experienced any kind of abuse or abandonment, it can often feel like hope is lost and they’re doomed to stay stuck in unhealthy habits and patterns. This teenage edition of Mending the Soul was written to show teens that by following a path of restoration and allowing God’s grace to touch their heart’s deepest wounds, they will find hope and healing as they work through their pain. It will help them navigate the emotional trauma of abuse and abandonment, as well as recognize signs of unhealthy families and dating relationships. Armed with a better understanding of their past and how the effects of abuse can lead to risky behaviors, shame, trauma and isolation—teens will be encouraged to face their brokenness, to heal and forgive and to look toward their hope-filled future. A practical resource for teens, Mending the Soul, Student Edition also offers insight into the struggles parents and ministry leaders face when working with teenage victims of abuse.

For teenagers who have experienced any kind of abuse or abandonment, it can often feel like hope is lost and they’re doomed to stay stuck in unhealthy habits and patterns. This teenage edition of Mending the Soul was written to show teens that by following a path of restoration and allowing God’s grace to touch their heart’s deepest wounds, they will find hope and healing as they work through their pain. It will help them navigate the emotional trauma of abuse and abandonment, as well as recognize signs of unhealthy families and dating relationships. Armed with a better understanding of their past and how the effects of abuse can lead to risky behaviors, shame, trauma and isolation—teens will be encouraged to face their brokenness, to heal and forgive and to look toward their hope-filled future.A practical resource for teens, Mending the Soul, Student Edition also offers insight into the struggles parents and ministry leaders face when working with teenage victims of abuse.

This book reflects a multi disciplinary, integrative approach to the theology and practice of relational intimacy. It combines biblical data on sexuality and relationships with marriage and bonding research. The reader is then guided in applying the research to his or her relationships. In essence, this is a handbook for understanding and deepening the stages involved in bonding or attaching closely to another human being. Marriage, the most intimate of all human relationships, is described in Scripture as a one-flesh mystery (Eph 5:31-32). This mystery of human bonding is as beautiful as it is complex, particularly in a post-Eden world. Many of us are woefully aware of our relational deficits, yet lack vibrant marriages around us to emulate. Those of us who have not experienced relationships of health, safety, and security particularly find we need roadmaps along the way. Our desire is that in the pages of this book readers will find personal encouragement and direction that is both biblically precise and practical for their relational journeys. Our intimacy model is built upon God''s bold promises to heal and redeem. His pathways bring life; he is the one true lover of our souls. Our intimacy with him is foundational to all other relationships.