Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church

by Michael J. Kruger

sometimes elders don’t see the dead bodies simply because they don’t want to. Despite all the holes being dug in the backyard, they just keep telling themselves that everything is all right. Why do they do this? It might be because they have a theologically incorrect view of human nature: they don’t think monsters like this exist—at least not in their church.

Despite many churches’ affirmation of this important doctrine on paper, it can quickly be forgotten when it comes to cases of spiritual abuse. As soon as victims have the courage to speak up about abusive behavior, they are usually met with a chorus of rebuttals along the lines of, “I know this pastor, and he could never do this,” or, “This pastor has blessed and helped countless people over the years. He could never do something like this.” Rather than taking the concerns seriously and investigating them carefully, leadership dismisses them as impossible or so unlikely as to not merit real consideration.

And in a tragically ironic turn, the defenders of the abusive pastor often raise questions about the integrity and the character of the victims, suggesting they are out to slander or malign the leader’s “good name.” So the doctrine of total depravity is forgotten when it comes to the pastor but remembered when it comes to the victims.