Category Archives: Spirit Abuse Reference
Enroth, R. – Recovering from Churches that Abuse
Recovering From Churches That Abuse, Dr. Ronald Enroth, 1994. The message of this book is that “mending” is possible. He makes the point that as the damage was relational, the healing must also be relational. Again Dr. Enroth devotes a chapter to the Assembly. One very helpful aspect of both of Dr. Enroth’s books is [...]
Cloud-Townsend – Boundaries
Boundaries: When To Say Yes, When to Say No to Take Control of Your Life, Dr. Henry Cloud &s Dr. John Townsend, 1992. The Assembly system intentionally militated to break down normal boundaries in peoples lives. The concepts and examples in this book are extremely helpful to recognize where the issues lie and change course. [...]
Bussell, H. – By Hook or By Crook
By Hook Or By Crook: How Cults Lure Christians, Harold L. Bussell, 1993 [originally published as Unholy Devotion: Why Cults Lure Christians]. Dr. Bussell’s perspective is that evangelicals are seldom attracted to aberrational Christian groups because of their doctrine; rather, the appeal is the promise of “something more”, a perceived “spirituality”.
Tucker, R.A. – Another Gospel
Another Gospel: Cults, Alternative Religions and the New Age Movement, Ruth A. Tucker. Brinda M. (Tuscola Assembly) said, “Though it did not have anything specific about the Geftakys ministry, it was very helpful in seeing that much of George’s ministry was ‘cultish’”.
Martin, P.R. – Cult Proofing your Kids
Cult Proofing Your Kids, Paul R. Martin, 1993. Whether or not you are comfortable with the “cult” word, this book includes a lot of information that is very helpful to people from the Assembly, especially the chapters on the healthy family, parenting tips, developing critical thinking, changing family dynamics and a “cult susceptibility” questionnaire. The chapter, [...]
Martin, S. – The Heresy of Mind Control
Online book The Heresy of Mind Control: Recognizing Con Artists in Leadership, Stephen Martin, M.Div,, online book. Written by Dr. Paul Martin’s brother, this 169-page e-book shows how “wolves in sheeps’ clothing” use Lifton’s 8 elements of mind control to create Christian totalism.
Blue, K. – Healing Spiritual Abuse
Healing Spiritual Abuse: How to Break Free from Bad Church Experiences, Ken Blue, 1993. There is a great chapter on “Healed By Grace”. He says, “When we see that we are completely accepted by God solely through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, all religious law loses its manipulative power over us.”
Arterburn, S. – Faith that Hurts, Faith that Heals
Faith That Hurts, Faith That Heals, Steve Arterburn and Jack Felton, 1992 [originally published as Toxic Faith]. Details the process by which true faith disintegrates into a harmful belief system and even religious addiction, and outlines 17 characteristics of healthy faith. As repulsive as it is to admit it, many of us in the assembly were in that [...]
Fehlauer, M. – Exposing Spiritual Abuse
Exposing Spiritual Abuse: How to Rediscover God’s Love When the Church Has Let You Down, Mike Fehlauer. The chapter on “Toxic Love” is about the excessive devotion of people looking for a father-figure. There are two good chapters on positive and negative characteristics to look for in a pastor. Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Church – [...]
Cloud-Townsend – Safe People
Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t!, Dr. Henry Cloud &s Dr. John Townsend, 1995. Henry tells about being in a Christian group for 5 years where he learned a lot but became more “religious” and less “real”. This was not a safe group. Later, after [...]