In breakout format, Darby Strickland presented on this topic today at #CCEF16. She defined emotional abuse using the word oppression instead. She defined it as a pattern of coercive controlling and punishing behaviors whereby one spouse seeks to control and dominate the other. Oppressors enslave others, but tend to self-justify behaviors. The oppressor tends to be entitled (people are there to please them; people should sacrifice for their well-being). They tend to dominate others and threaten as a means of control. Oppressors are willing to wound to keep control (which Darby reminds us is the opposite of how Jesus wields power–he was willing to be wounded for others). On the other hand, oppressors tend to be self-deceived, lack remorse and blameshift when accused.
Sometimes abuse is misunderstood as an anger problem. But the reality is that the root is self-worship and control. The only thing that matters are their words, their rules, their emotions, and their physical and sexual needs that must be obeyed. It is “enforced worship.”
Darby then explored emotional abuse in particular. Symptoms include a chronic pattern of rejecting, neglecting, degrading, terrorizing, isolating, exploiting, belittling, deceiving, blaming, ignoring, shaming, and threatening. She also talked about “gas lighting” which is the attempt to make someone think that something that did happen never happened. Within emotional abuse is also spiritual abuse. The use of Scripture, doctrinc, or position of leadership to abuse. It can be subtle but it lording power over others, demanding submission, and use Scripture to shame.
Darby pulls no punches when she describes behaviors by oppressive and abusive men (yes, women can do this as well, but this talk is focused on the experience of oppressed women). It is destructive to souls and does not reflect any part of Jesus Christ. She was equally clear on the destructive impact on victims. Eccl 4: the dead are happier than the oppressed.
What does God say about oppression?
- Not your fault. Evil comes out of the heart of the one doing it: Mark 7. You might be a stressor by just being a person.
- You do not deserve this. (Victims and leaders look for reasons, like Job’s friends). Heb 10:17. Your sins and lawless deeds I will not remember anymore. God is your rescuer, not your punisher
- It is not a marriage problem. Luke 6:45 shows us that evil comes out of the evil person’s heart. It is not merely some interaction problem. Do not ask the oppressed to serve the oppressor more. It emboldens oppressors.
- Oppression violates God’s design for marriage. It is not to be submitted to but rather brought into the light. He tells the head to reject control for self sacrifice.
- God sees your suffering. Jesus sees and knows oppression too.
- God cares about your safety. Do you think that God cares more about you keeping your vows than he does about your safety?
- God’s desire is to rescue you. I will rescue my flock and they show no longer be a prey (Ex 34:22)
Draw near to God through laments; he does not ask you to forget your suffering. Learning to lament is a process. It may not be “sanctified speech” when you first start to speak. That is okay, just begin to speak. Listen for the content, less focus on the tone. Then, you can ask God to help shape your expression. To counter the shaming words, remember who God says about you. “Remember who Jesus is because he is everything your oppressor isn’t.” He woos you, he does not demand subjection.
She closed with Proverbs 12:18: The words of the reckless pierce like swords. But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
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You might find it interesting that Darby chose to not take questions at the end. Her reason is that knowing that 25% of the christian world has experienced domestic abuse. Thus, she expected a number of victims in the room. She felt that taking questions might subject some, inadvertently, to further pain. (She was willing to take questions afterwards in private).
I very much appreciated her strong words to identify the pattern and indicate the primary concern for care for the victim. I know she has written and spoken on the topic of working with oppressors. This was not that talk.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
Such powerful words here. Can you share any of the resources used?
No resources mentioned but she has published a couple of articles on the topic in the JBC and one more is on the way.
Thanks for these updates Phil- spreading the benefits of this conference, Darby is spot on here, and I really value her re framing of abuse as oppression and casting it in the light of ‘enforced worship’. That’s certainly been my experience- it is very affirming to hear it expressed so clearly. It is like balm to my soul.
PS when you wrote
Then, you can ask God to help shame your expression.
did you mean ‘shape’ not ‘shame’?
Oops. Thanks for the catch. Writing on the fly 🙂
Oh boy— that’s an important typo to fix!
Please can you amend the post, Phil?
Did Darby come out and say that abuse/oppression is grounds for divorce?
No, but based on how she talked about the evilness of abuse and the stories of how church leaders have tried to “reconcile” couples where there has been abuse, I suspect she would agree with you. Her talk wasn’t about making specific decisions but to get some basic truths about what God thinks about abuse and what are their causes (i.e., not the victim!).
Darby was fierce today. It was good. Certainly it isn’t everything that can be said but given that this was likely the first time this topic was taught to this crowd, it was a giant first step.
I’m glad she was fierce. And yes, it’s probably the first time many of those people had heard this topic taught.
Trauma is silencing. My pain runs deep and I am so “frozen” now, I shouldn’t attempt to post. As best I can, I want to thank you, Phil, for your hard work from a heart after God’s own. Coming from a place seemingly hopeless with years of trauma upon trauma, how thankful I am that the Holy Spirit helped me “stumble into you.” Hope abides and God’s love is greater than my pain. Again, thank you. God bless and hold you ever near.