Unholy Charade - Jeff Crippen

Unmasking the Domestic Abuser in the Church

Author: Jeff Crippen Page 55 of 89

More Wisdom About the Wicked

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On November 11, 2020

In Abusers

I found this quote in an old commentary on the book of Jeremiah:

The most wicked, we know, flatter themselves while they can retain the good opinion and applause of the world; and as long as they continue in honor, they slumber in their vices.

The author continues:

…though hypocrites flatter themselves, and the whole world enourages them by its adulations [applause] all this will not avail them; for they must at last come before the tribunal of God and that before God truth only will be approved and honored.

The particular kind of wicked person we deal with here – the domestic abuser (including the narcissist, sociopath, and psychopath) fits this description quite well. Evil people flatter themselves that they are quite right with God. They boast about what fine saints they are. They quote Bible verses left and right. And what encourages them to be able to “slumber in their vices,” un-troubled by conscience, is that they are receiving the praise, applause, and adulation of the world, including that of worldly churches.

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Watch Out for the Usual Suspects

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On November 9, 2020

In Churches/Church Response, False Teaching, Getting Free

I suppose that you get email advertisements from various Christian vendors and organizations like I do.  Here is one that just came announcing a book and a DVD series on the church:

That isn’t the greatest resolution on the picture so I don’t know how well you can read it. What I wanted to emphasize and warn you about is what I call “the usual suspects.” The evangelical church and associated organizations almost always utilize their “go to” people. Whether it be a conference or a new book that needs endorsing or some teaching series like this one, you can be sure that the list of “speakers” and authors will include the same names over and over and over. This in itself is a danger because far too many Christians consider what these people say to be “gospel.” Often it isn’t.

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CRC Worship Session Begins this Evening at 7PM

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On November 4, 2020

In Blog News


The CRC Worship Sessions begin tomorrow, Wednesday, at 7:00 PM (PST). Each week Kevin Dirks will be leading the livestream session on our FaceBook Page.  
Wednesday mornings we will post the Scripture reading and the words to the song selections here on our Light for Dark Times blog, so you have access to the words to print or to use to follow along.
A BIT ABOUT KEVIN – Kevin is the son-in-law of Pastor Jeff and Verla Crippen and lives in Victoria, BC. Kevin was a pastor when their daughter first met him and has been leading the worship portion of the Sunday services at a church in Victoria for a number of years. Kevin and Jenny have recently joined CRC “virtually”.
We are excited! Hope you can join us! And Thank you, Kevin!

Blind Leading the Blind – Don't be led by them

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On November 4, 2020

In Getting Free

Luke 11:33-36 ESV  “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  (34)  Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.  (35)  Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.  (36)  If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

These verses have always been hard to understand, even though we all sang “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” in Sunday School as children. That happens often by the way – children being taught songs and memory verses and so on without being helped to understand the meaning. And I maintain that children can indeed be taught quite deeper truths than we think. But then, that is another subject.
Jesus said “your eye is the lamp of your body.” You have to have a good eye or your body is going to wander around in the dark stubbing toes and so on.
Then Jesus moved to the real point here. He said, “therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” What did He mean? I can tell you.

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The Domestic Abuser is Actually a Kidnapper and the Lord Will Treat him as Such

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On October 28, 2020

In Churches/Church Response

Exodus 21:16 ESV  “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
Deuteronomy 24:7 ESV  “If a man is found stealing one of his brothers of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
1 Timothy 1:9-10 ESV  understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,  (10)  the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

One of our commenters recently compared the domestic abuser to a kidnapper and an abuser-driven marriage “legalized kidnapping.” This is quite accurate. And if you want to know what God thinks about kidnappers, well, just read the verses above.
Here is the irony. Churches that preach “freedom in Christ,” end up supporting legalized kidnapping when they ally with an abuser and oppress the victim. They turn a blind eye to the fact that the abuser has enslaved his target, expends all kinds of energies and devices to keep her in that bondage, and in divorce court proceedings demands a ransom be paid for her freedom.
This is worth thinking about seriously. What will the Lord do, not only with the kidnapper, but with those who are his allies? I think we can have a pretty good idea.
 

Even the Best Bible Teachers Get it Wrong Sometimes

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On October 26, 2020

In Churches/Church Response, False Teaching

J.C. Ryle is one of my favorite Bible commentators. If you are following our Wednesday morning Bible studies which we livestream on the Christ Reformation Church page (and publish on youtube and sermondaudio.com/crc) you have heard me quote Ryle many times. His set of commentaries on the Gospels is excellent.
But…

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A Primary Handbook for Understanding Churches that Abuse

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On October 21, 2020

In Churches/Church Response

Galatians 4:17 ESV  They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

I am convinced that the most pertinent book in the Bible when it comes to dealing with churches and church leaders that abuse the abused is Paul’s letter to the Galatians. This letter ought to be a primary study textbook for us. Here we learn what God thinks of these people, identifies who they are and the tactics they use.

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A Short Post Consisting of Just one Question

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On October 19, 2020

In Churches/Church Response, Counseling

I have one question for pastors, counselors, and anyone else who wants to “counsel” a domestic abuse victim. Actually I have several questions such as “can you tell me what domestic abuse is?” Or, “Tell me how a domestic abuse case differs from other types of marriage counseling cases.”
But here is the one I have in mind right now. It’s really a request:

Please write out a list for me of the books that you have read on the subject of domestic abuse, particularly domestic abuse by people who claim to be Christians. And then tell me what you learned.

Guess what? I know the answer.  Crickets. With very, very rare exceptions they haven’t read anything written by people who really understand this evil, but worse – they still insist that they are “competent to counsel.”
I guess a followup question as I held their blank list in my hand would be, then don’t you think it would be wise to stop telling victims what to do until you know what you are talking about? 
But they won’t. They won’t listen. They will just keep right on practicing medicine without ever going to med school or being an intern.

Evil People Lie – They are of their father, the Chief of Liars

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On October 14, 2020

In Abusers

John 8:44 ESV  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

When we learn about the mentality and tactics of domestic abusers, sociopaths, narcissists and all that entire company of wicked ones, we see that in so many (and I suppose we could even say “all”) of their methods, lying is at the root of the thing. Deception. Slander. Reviling. Crazy-making. Accusing. All of it is based upon this one fundamental evil – lying.
You notice in the Scripture above why this is the case. The devil is not only a liar, he is the father of lies. He is the originator of lying. And he spawns lying offspring. If the devil’s mouth is open, he is lying. And so it is with his sons and daughters.

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An Update on our Friend Mack

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On October 12, 2020

In Blog News

This update was written by Mack’s wife, Rite. Mack and Rite have been faithful members of our church for over 27 years and have stood firmly together with us through many trials. As most of you know, Mack was in the hospital for four months and there were times he was not expected to live. But all of you and many others were praying:
Tomorrow it will be 2 weeks since Mack had his J- tube (feeding tube) replaced by Dr Worth.
The appointment went well! Dr Worth was amazed at how good Mack looked! Dr Worth said the last CT scan his cyst was the size of a softball. This time it is the size of a golf ball! 😊 As the debris drains into his stomach and is removed from his body, it can cause nausea and vomiting. So that is the reason he has suffered from it. We are so thankful it is shrinking!
–  Mack had 2 stitches to hold the J- tube down. It was very painful around the area and slowed physical therapy. Now that the stitches have been removed he is feeling much better!
– Mack has been able to eat a tablespoon of yogurt or jello on some days! And drink a little juice 😊 without throwing up! So grateful😊❣️
-Physical therapy should resume at a faster pace now. No more pain!! He is getting stronger every day!
We praise God for all His answered prayers, and all His blessings through this time❤️
And, we are thankful for everyone who has helped us through these times – physically, emotionally, and through your coveted prayers❣️We are so grateful to each one-off you ❤️
Love, in Christ
Mack and Rite

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